The Best 1st Generation K-pop Boy Groups

H.O.T. (Korean: 에이치오티; pronounced "H. O. T.", acronym for Highfive Of Teenagers) is a South Korean boy band. SM Entertainment created them in 1996. They became the first K-pop "idol group." Their success model shaped many K-pop groups that followed. H.O.T. had five members: Moon Hee-joon, Jang Woo-hyuk, Tony An, Kangta, and Lee Jae-won. H.O.T. sold over 6.4 million records in South Korea during their career. The group also sold well in China and Japan. They were early stars of the Korean Wave in Asia. The group broke.

Groove Over Dose, acronym g.o.d, is a five-member South Korean pop music group. The group debuted in 1999. g.o.d. became one of South Korea's most popular boy bands in the early 2000s. The members went on to solo careers in entertainment after stopping group activity in 2005 because a member left. They regrouped as a five-member group and returned in July 2014. Fans know g.o.d. for their "story telling" lyrics and their mix of R&B and rap. Their music includes many genres, from hip hop.

Shinhwa is a South Korean six-member boy band. They debuted on March 24, 1998, with Eric Mun, Lee Min-woo, Kim Dong-wan, Shin Hye-sung, Jun Jin, and Andy Lee. Shinhwa is the longest-running boy band in K-pop history in South Korea. They succeeded alongside Sechs Kies, g.o.d, Fly to the Sky, Turbo, Baby V.O.X, Fin. K.L., H.O.T., and S.E.S. Shinhwa means myth or legend in Korean. SM Entertainment formed Shinhwa. They moved to Good Entertainment in July 2003 when their contract ended. While under Good Entertainment as Shinhwa, each member pursued their career.

1TYM, pronounced "One Time," was a four-member South Korean hip hop group. The members are Oh Jinhwan, Park Hong-jun (also known as Teddy Park), Song Baekyoung, and Im Taebin (also known as Danny).

Sechs Kies or 6kies was a South Korean male idol pop group. Daesung Entertainment formed them. The name "Sechs Kies" supposedly means "six crystals" in German, though "Kies" means gravel. Fans call them "Jekki." Their official fanclub was Dear Sechskies Friend, and the group's fan color was yellow. Sechs Kies debuted on April 15, 1997, on KBS Music Bank with their first single "학원별곡." They disbanded on May 20, 2000, performing at the 2000 Dream Concert.

Jinusean is a South Korean hip hop duo signed to YG Entertainment. The duo, made up of Kim Jin-woo (also known as Jinu) and Noh Seung-hwan (also known as Sean), debuted in 1997. They gained fame with the single, "Tell Me." Jinusean are pioneers of Korean hip hop.

United N-generation was a South Korean musical group under NH Media. Choi Jung-won and Kim Jeong-hoon were the two members. They released five albums from 2000 to 2005. "For a Lifetime," a single from their first album, became their first major hit.

NRG, which stands for New Radiancy Group, is a South Korean pop music group. The group began as a five-member boy band featuring Chun Myung-hoon, Lee Sung-jin, Noh Yoo-min, Moon Sung-hoon, and Kim Hwan-sung (deceased). NRG debuted in 1997. The group had short activity periods and breaks between 2000 and 2008 before taking a long break. In 2017, they reformed as a trio for their 20th anniversary and released an extended play.

Fly to the Sky (Korean: 플라이 투 더 스카이) is a South Korean singing duo featuring Brian Joo and Hwanhee. The duo began as K-pop idols. Later, they built a more mature image and became one of South Korea's most popular R&B groups. They have released nine studio albums since their 1999 debut.

Click-B (클릭비) is a South Korean boy group and band. DSP Media formed them in August 1999. Click-B began with rock and dance beats. The band split in 2002; four members stayed. In 2003, the fourth album featured Woo Yun-suk, Oh Jong-hyuk, Kim Sang-hyuk, and Kim Tae-hyung. In 2004, they joined the K-pop duo J-Walk (Jang Suwon and Kim Jaeduck, former Sechskies members) to create JnC. After JnC, member Kim Tae Hyung left Click-B for personal pursuits. In 2006, Click-B continued with the previous three members.