Who are the best 2nd gen K-pop boy groups? The second generation of K-pop boy bands shaped the genre and brought it to global prominence with groundbreaking music, innovative dance routines, and magnetic stage presence. BIGBANG is a prime example, known for versatility, charisma, and influence across numerous music genres. Hits like "Fantastic Baby" and "Haru Haru" set trends and won countless awards. SHINee is celebrated for impeccable vocals, synchronized dance moves, and experimental music, with timeless tracks like "Lucifer" and "Sherlock." 2PM showcased powerful performances and edgy style with their "beastly idol" concept, cementing their place in K-pop history with songs like "Heartbeat" and "Hands Up." Which group holds a special spot in your heart? Share your thoughts and vote on the top 2nd generation K-pop boy groups to recognize their phenomenal talent and lasting impact on the K-pop world.
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SM Entertainment formed SHINee, a South Korean boy band, in 2008. The group earned many awards and the "Princes of K-pop" title in South Korea. Four members make up the group: Onew, Key, Minho, and Taemin. Originally, the five-piece group lost vocalist Jonghyun in December 2017.
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BIGBANG, a South Korean boy band from YG Entertainment, features four members: G-Dragon, T.O.P, Taeyang, and Daesung. Seungri left the industry March 11, 2019. This group shapes the K-pop industry. They spread the Korean Wave globally. Media calls them the "Kings of K-pop." Their music mixes genres experimentally. Members produced their own records. Stage performances earned good reviews.
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JYP Entertainment formed 2PM, a South Korean boy band. Current members include Jun. K (formerly Junsu), Nichkhun, Taecyeon, Wooyoung, Junho, and Chansung. Former leader Jaebeom officially left in early 2010. Park Jin-young created an eleven-member band called One Day. This band split into 2PM and an independent group, 2AM. 2PM debuted with "10 Jeom Manjeome 10 Jeom," showing their dance moves. The group has been on an official break since July 2017.
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TVXQ is a South Korean pop duo featuring U-Know Yunho and Max Changmin. Their name means "Rising Gods of the East." S.M. Entertainment formed TVXQ in 2003. The group began as a five-member band with U-Know Yunho, Max Changmin, Hero Jaejoong, Micky Yoochun, and Xiah Junsu. Their first physical single, "Hug" (2004), hit number four on the MIAK monthly music chart. TVXQ gained global recognition in the late 2000s after getting critical praise in Korea.
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Woollim Entertainment formed Infinite, a South Korean boy band in 2010. Six members make up the group: Sungkyu, Dongwoo, Woohyun, Sungyeol, L, and Sungjong. The group started as seven members, but Hoya left in August 2017. Infinite debuted in 2010 with the EP First Invasion. Their first full album, Over the Top, dropped in July 2011. The EP New Challenge, released in March 2013, sold over 160,000 copies in South Korea, making it a top seller for 2013. Their second full album, Season 2, came out in May 2014.
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Super Junior, or SJ or SuJu, is a South Korean boy band. Producer Lee Soo-man of SM Entertainment formed the group on November 6, 2005. The group reached thirteen members at its peak. Super Junior debuted with twelve members: Leeteuk, Heechul, Hangeng, Yesung, Kangin, Shindong, Sungmin, Eunhyuk, Siwon, Donghae, Ryeowook, and Kibum. Kyuhyun joined in 2006. Super Junior gained global recognition after releasing "Sorry, Sorry," their best-selling single, in 2009, which was their title track.
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Highlight is a South Korean boy band, formerly Beast. The band has four members: Yoon Doo-joon, Yang Yo-seob, Lee Gi-kwang, and Son Dong-woon. Initially, the group had six members. Jang Hyun-seung left in April 2016, and Yong Jun-hyung left in March 2019. In late 2016, the group moved from Cube Entertainment to Around Us Entertainment. Highlight changed its name to Highlight in 2017.
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Cho PD created Block B, a South Korean boy group active since 2011. The group has seven members: Zico, Lee Taeil, B-Bomb, Ahn Jaehyo, U-Kwon, Park Kyung, and P.O.
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DSP media formed SS501, a South Korean boy band. The group has five members: Kim Hyun-joong, Heo Young-saeng, Kim Kyu-jong, Park Jung-min, and Kim Hyung-jun. SS501 debuted in 2005 with the EP Warning, which included their first number one song, "Never Again." In 2007, SS501 entered the Japanese market with the maxi single Kokoro, which reached number five on the Oricon chart. In 2008, SS501 became the first South Korean artists to win Best New Artist at the Japan Gold Disc Awards. SS501 has released one studio album and seven EPs in Korean.
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CNBLUE is a South Korean pop rock band formed in 2009. The band includes Jung Yong-hwa, leader, main vocals, guitar, keyboard, and rap; Kang Min-hyuk, drums; and Lee Jung-shin, bass. Kwon Kwang-jin, the first bassist, left after their 2009 Japanese extended play Now or Never. Lee Jung-shin replaced him. Lee Jong-hyun, guitar and vocals, left on August 28, 2019. CN stands for Code Name, and BLUE is a backronym for burning, lovely, untouchable, and emotional, meant to show Jong-hyun, Min-hyuk, Jung-shin, and Yong-hwa.
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MBLAQ, an acronym for Music Boys Live in Absolute Quality, is a South Korean boy group. South Korean entertainer Rain created the group under J. Tune Camp. The group features Seungho, G.O, and Mir. Lee Joon and Thunder were former members. MBLAQ debuted October 15, 2009, at Rain's Legend of Rainism concert. The group released their debut single album, Just BLAQ, October 14, 2009, topping South Korean music charts online and offline. MBLAQ released their first extended play album, Y, May 19, 2010. On January 10, 2011, MBLAQ released their first studio album, BLAQ Styl.
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2AM is a South Korean boy group from JYP Entertainment. Jo Kwon, Lee Changmin, Lim Seulong, and Jeong Jinwoon are the members. 2AM split from the eleven-member boy band One Day; 2PM was the other subgroup. They officially debuted July 11, 2008, on KBS's Music Bank, performing "This Song". 2AM won their first Mutizen at Inkigayo on February 7, 2010, for "Can't Let You Go Even If I Die".
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ZE:A, also called Children of Empire, is a South Korean boy group. Star Empire Entertainment formed the group in 2010. Nine members make up ZE:A: Kevin, Hwang Kwang-hee, Park Hyung-sik, Im Si-wan, Moon Jun-young, Kim Tae-heon, Jung Hee-chul, Ha Min-woo, and Kim Dong-jun. The group released their debut single album Nativity with the lead single "Mazeltov" on January 7, 2010. They performed a showcase five days later. ZE:A debuted on KBS' Music Bank January 15, 2010.
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Boyfriend is a South Korean boy group. Starship Entertainment formed the group in 2011. Boyfriend is the first boy group with twin members. Kim Donghyun, Shim Hyunseong, Lee Jeongmin, Jo Youngmin, Jo Kwangmin, and No Minwoo are the members. Boyfriend debuted on Mnet's M!Countdown May 26, 2011, with "Boyfriend". Starship Entertainment announced Boyfriend disbanded May 17, 2019.
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B1A4 is a South Korean boy group. WM Entertainment formed the group. B1A4 debuted April 23, 2011, with the single "O.K" from the EP Let's Fly. The public first saw the group via a webtoon. B1A4 released seven studio albums (three Korean and four Japanese), seven EPs, and four compilation albums. The group achieved strong commercial and critical success in Korean and Japanese markets. B1A4 also toured the United States.
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