Best 1st Gen K-pop Groups, Ranked

Active Years: 1997 to 2002, and 2016 to the present.

I’m Your Girl," "L.O.V.E.," "Just A Feeling""I’m Your Girl," "L.O.V.E.," and "Just A Feeling."

Named after members (Sea, Eugene, Shoo), S.E.S. is an early K-pop girl group. S.E.S. served as the female mirror to H.O.T. from the same SM label. The SM group debuted with "I'm Your Girl," a song fans still like now. The group started with an "innocent girl" concept but changed often, releasing pop, R&B, and jazz. Many teenage girls copied their fashion in the '90s.

The group ended in December 2002. Each member later had successful solo careers in music and acting. In October 2016, the group reunited for their 20th anniversary and released the 2017 album Remember..

Active Years: 1996 to 2001, and 2018 to the present.

Candy," "Happiness," "We Are the Future""Candy," "Happiness," and "We Are the Future."

SM Entertainment's H.O.T. is seen as the first K-pop idol group. H.O.T. changed the Korean music world forever. The five-member group used recognizable hairstyles, upbeat music, and catchy dance moves. H.O.T. dominated charts and teenage hearts. Critics see H.O.T. as the cause of today's K-pop fan culture. H.O.T. also became the first group to succeed globally. H.O.T. sold over 6 million records; it remains one of the best K-pop groups ever.

In 2001, contract fights caused the group to disband. Fans protested outside the company headquarters. Almost twenty years later, H.O.T. held a reunion concert on Infinite Challenge. and held another reunion concert in August 2018.

Active Years: 1998 to the present.

Notable Songs: "I Pray 4 U," "Wild Eyes," and "Wedding March."

This SM Entertainment boy group followed the legendary H.O.T. but Shinhwa became legends on their own. Shinhwa built their own fan base without directly competing with their SM seniors. Their debut track, "T.O.P. (Twinkling Of Paradise)," gave them a soft yet tough image. The group mixed singers and rappers in their music. Members kept to their roles. Shinhwa never officially disbanded and remains together now.singers and rappers.Members in Shinhwa usually stuck to their roles. Unlike groups formed then, Shinhwa never disbanded and remain together today.

Active Years: 1992 to 1996.

Notable Songs: ""Nan Arayo (I Know)," "Come Back Home," and "Hayeoga (Anyway)".

Seo Taiji and Boys shaped the modern K-pop scene. The trio debuted in 1992 with their self-titled album, which fans reacted to very positively. They blended hip hop and dance beats, taking heavy inspiration from Western music and style. After retiring in 1996, the trio built successful solo music careers.

Lee Juno started his own record label. He formed popular groups like Young Turks Club, Honey Family, and Leessang. Group leader Seo Taiji returned to his solo artist roots. Seo Taiji remains a Korean music legend today. Yang Hyun-suk founded YG Entertainment, his music label. YG Entertainment became one of the "Big 3" K-pop companies. YG Entertainment created top K-pop artists, including Big Bang, Blackpink, 2NE1, and Epik High.

Active Years: 1997 - 2000, Present

Notable Songs: ""Couple," "Com’ Back," "Be Well"

Sechs Kies debuted in 1997. They became first-generation K-pop "idols." This group paved the way for idol fandom culture. Sechs Kies competed hard against rival H.O.T. Fans of each group fought over their fan clubs.

The group performed explosively and hit chart tops with every release. Their music mixed dance rock, ballad, and R&B. They split in 2000 at their peak. They reunited in 2016 under YG Entertainment. The four-member group remains with members Eun Ji-won, Lee Jae-jin, Kim Jae-duck, and Kang Su-won.

Active Years: 1997 - 2006

Notable Songs: ""Get Up," "Ya Ya Ya," "Killer"

Baby V.O.X. became a major K-pop girl group in the mid-1990s and early 2000s. They debuted in 1997. They competed hard against S.E.S and Fin.K.L. Baby V.O.X. entered the Chinese mainstream market early. Success peaked around 2005. Member differences started then. Shim Eun-jin left in October 2004 because she disliked the company's path. The group ended in 2005.

Active Years: 1998 - 2005, 2019 - present

Notable Songs: "Blue Rain," "Forever Love," "Now"

DSP Media's first girl group achieved major success. Arriving a year after SM’s S.E.S., they quickly gained attention in K-pop with R&B ballads and vocal work. They released four albums during their peak, including: Blue Rain(1998)White(1999)Now(2000)Eternity(2002). They won New Artist of the Year at the 1998 Golden Disc Awards, the main prize at the 1998 Seoul Music Awards, and Best Female Group at the 2000 Mnet Music Video Festival.Best Female Groupat the 2000 Mnet Music Video Festival.

The group appeared to end after releasing their 2005 album, Fine Killing Liberty. However, they reunited on the variety show Camping Club in July 2019, and released a compilation album featuring the new song, "Just Like the Song That Remains."

Active Years: 1999 - present

Notable Songs: "To Mother," "Lies," "Road"

This group started a stir with their name, which bordered on blasphemy. They used it as the abbreviation for "Groove Over Dose." The group moved audiences with ballads like "To Mother" and funk tracks such as "Observe." They achieved one of the biggest comebacks in 2014, sparking a wave of '90s groups.

Active Years: 1997–2004, 2015

Gasoline, "Tell Me," "A-Yo"Gasoline, "Tell Me," "A-Yo"

This duo was YG Entertainment's first major hit group. They pioneered Korean hip hop. They mixed singing and rapping in a fresh way unheard of then. Member Noh Seung-hwan served as a backup dancer for Seo Taiji and Boys in the 1990s. The duo went on hiatus in 2004 but appeared in a 2014 Infinite ChallengeThey had a special called "Satruday, Saturday Is for Singers." In 2015, they released the comeback single, "One More Time." Jinusean also judged the fourth season of Show Me the Money.

Active Years: 1994–2001, 2009

“3!4!”, “Angel Without Wings”, “Prayer of Love”“3!4!”, “Angel Without Wings”, “Prayer of Love”

Roo'ra was a co-ed hip hop and dance group. They became one of South Korea's most popular groups in the 1990s. Leader Lee Sang Min built his own movement similar to YG Family's work then. The group debuted in 1994 with the hit album, titled, Roots of Reggae. Their following album, The Angel Who Lost Wings, sold 1 million albums fast. In 1996, Roo'ra faced trouble after it became clear they sampled a Japanese track called "Omatsuri Ninja" in their song, "Cheon sang yu ae." The controversy almost split the group.

Roo'ra ended in 2001. They reunited in 2009 for their ninth and final album, A9ain.

Active Years: 1995–2001, 2015–present

“Twist King”, December”, “Cyber Lover”“Twist King”, December”, “Cyber Lover”

Turbo became one of K-Pop's first successful rapper/singer duos. They found great success from 1995 to 2001. Kim Jong Kook’s high-pitched vocals were unique in the industry. Rapper Kim Jung-nam debuted with Jong Kook but Mikey took his place. They sold millions of albums across Asia. Their contract ended after their fifth album dropped. Jong Kook later achieved huge solo success. Mikey later joined the K-pop group M3.

The group reunited in 2015 for their 20th anniversary. Two years later, they released the mini-album Turbo Splash.

Active Years:1999–2018

Do You Know Hip Hop,"I Want You," "8:45 Heaven"Do You Know Hip Hop," "I Want You," "8:45 Heaven"

Drunken Tiger, an original duo, pioneered bringing Korean hip hop into the mainstream. Tiger JK and DJ Shine formed the original lineup; Micki Eyes, DJ Jhig, and Roscoe Umali joined later. Tiger JK released a final, self-titled album under the Drunken Tiger name in 2018. Tiger JK also made music with his wife Yoon Mi-Rae and Bizzy under the name MFBTY.

Active Years: 1999 to 2006, and 2011 to 2015

Notable Songs:"Promise," "Cowboy," "To Be Continued"

This boy group pioneered rock bands that functioned as idols. They debuted in 1999 with DSP Media, gaining fresh success from Fin.K.L. This group brought a 'younger' image to rock. Other bands seemed too 'mature' or too hardcore for the mainstream. They opened the way for future idol rock bands like CN Blue, FT Island, Royal Pirates, Day 6, and others.

Active Years: 1998 to present

Notable Songs: "Blue," "Disco King," "Bingo"

Koyote debuted as a co-ed group. Since their 1998 debut with "Pure Love," Koyote's image and sound set them apart. The group released 10 studio albums, three extended plays, and many singles. They won five Bonsangs at the Golden Disc Awards and the Grand Prize at the 2005 KBS Music Awards. Koyote still performs today.

Koyote member Kim Jong-min became one of Korea’s most sought-after TV personalities.

Active Years: 1998 to 2005

Notable Songs: "1TYM," "Hot," "Good Love"

After YG'sfirst hip hop groupKeep Six failed. The music label debuted 1TYM in 1998. The group quickly gained fame with hit songs "1TYM" and "Good Love." Their success ended fast, but 1TYM remains a hip hop pioneer in Korea. Member Teddy Park built a successful music career producing for other YG artists, like 2NE1, Se7en, Big Bang, and Blackpink.

Active Years: 1999 to present

Notable Songs:"Day by Day," "Missing You," "You You You"

Brian Joo (from the U.S.) and Hwanhee (from Korea) form this duo. They are an early R&B group under SM Entertainment. Fly To The Sky is one of the longest-running K-pop duos. Their music grew with them, moving to more mature themes and styles as they aged. After 2007, the band paused as members focused on solo work. In 2014, they released their ninth album, called Continuum.Their single "You You You" hit number one on the Gaon digital chart.

Active Years: 1993 to 1995

Notable Songs:"In Summer," "Turn Around and Look At Me," "Break Off the Yoke"

Deux introduced American styles and new jack swing to new audiences among first hip hop pioneers in Korean music. Sporting baggy clothes and taking care-free attitudes, the duo also made hip hop choreography with easy-to-learn dances popular. Their career ended fast, but Deux shaped the direction of K-pop music and fashion.

In 1995, both members started solo careers. Sadly, Kim Sung-jae died from OD. Lee Hyun-do released a greatest hits album after the news. He then produced and composed for other famous K-pop artists.

Active Years: 1997 to present

Notable Songs: "Sorrow," "Messenger," "Leave My Heart"

NRG (New Radiancy Group) started big with the single "I Can Do It." Five members initially formed NRG, a five-member group. H.O.T. members considered NRG rivals because of their acrobatic choreography and tough dance moves. The group kept succeeding, even gaining success in China and Japan. In 2000, member Kim Hwan-sung died from a virus, so NRG took a one-year break. The following year, NRG released their fourth album.Sorrow, which honored the late Hwan-sung.

NRG struggled to repeat early successes and disbanded in 2005. The group reunited for a special performance at the 2017 Dream Concert.

Active Years: 1998 to 2002

Notable Songs: "My Lips Like Warm Coffee," "Sweety," "Tell Me Tell Me"

This group had two guys and two girls and was active from 1998 to 2002. Two female vocalists formed the group with two rappers. S#arp won # 1 on music programs.InkigayoandMusic Bank. The group's first big hit was the single "Tell Me Tell Me" in 1999. Later, members Lee Ji-hye and Seo Ji-young fought—including verbal and physical attacks—which caused the group to break up in 2002, at their peak.

Active Years: 1994 to present

Notable Songs: "Dance with DOC," "Run to You," "I’m Like This"

DJ DOC, one of the most famous trios in Korean music, began in the underground hip hop scene.underground hip hopThe group caused controversy. Critics often attacked their edgy lyrics and overuse of profanity, which targeted social injustices. After gaining mainstream fans, they released more family-friendly songs, like "Dance with DOC" and "Summer Story."

At the 2018 Winter Olympics, DJ DOC performed after the medal ceremony. Though recent releases did not get much praise, their 2000 dance track "Run to You" stays one of the most popular karaoke songs.most popular karaoke songs.

Active Years: 1996 to 2000, 2006 to 2010

Notable Songs: "Don’t Worry," "Always In My Heart," "Let’s Meet Again"

Uptown debuted in 1996, bringing the "gyopo" vibe to K-Pop. Four English-speaking members—Chris Jung, Carlos Galvan, Steve Kim, and Tasha Reid—made up the group. Yoon Mi-rae left to form Tashannie and later became a Korean hip hop star. Uptown released an album without her in 2006 called "Testimony."TestimonyFuture members of this group include Jessica H.O. (aka Jessi), Maniac, Snacky Chan, and Swings.

Active Years: 1994-2005, 2008-present

Notable Songs: "Sorrow," "Waiting For You," "All For You"Sorrow, "Waiting For You," "All For You"

Cool was one of the first co-ed groups. Korean audiences loved their laidback styles and music. They released fun dance tracks with no limits. They sang, rapped, and added comedy to their music. This group stood apart from those who took themselves too seriously. Fans caught them bouncing around, wearing funny hairdos, and having fun on stage. Karaoke goers also picked their music.

The group disbanded in August 2005. They reunited years later to release new music. In 2014, the group (without Yuri) performed on a special on Infinite Challenge.Infinite Challenge.

Active Years: 1997 - 2003

Notable Songs: “Do”, “Ah That Work”, “Time”“Do”, “Ah That Work”, “Time”

Background: Taesaja gets overlooked among '90s boy groups that shaped today’s K-pop artists. They debuted just eight days after N.R.G. and competed strongly in the K-pop boy group scene. They featured '90s K-pop hairstyles and wore suits for a "mature" fashion sense. Many of their songs are karaoke staples. Underrated Taesaja remains one of the best first-generation K-pop groups.

Active Years: 1993 -1997, 2018 - present

Notable Songs: "Holding the End of the Night," "Meant to be," "My Only Friend""Holding the End of the Night," "Meant to be," "My Only Friend"

Solid formed in Orange County, California. The group's Korean debut in 1993 received poor reception. Korean audiences initially felt the group was "too American." They gained success with their second album, The Magic of 8 Ball.The Magic of 8 Ball, largely because of their single "Holding the End of the Night." Solid got Disney to record a Korean version of All-4-One's "Someday" for The Hunchback of Notre Dame OST.The Hunchback of Notre Dame OST.OST.

After their 1997 album, Solidate released their music.Solidate, the group paused, and each member pursued solo careers. In 2018, Solid reunited for their fifth album, Into the Light.Into the Light, which charted in Korea and the US. Solid remains South Korea's "Kings of R&B."