K-pop girl groups have shown every concept from sweet to fierce.
Here’s the history of K-pop girl groups from the late ’90s to today!
Quick Summary
- 1st generation (1997-2003): S.E.S., Fin.K.L, and Baby V.O.X
- 2nd generation (2004-2013): Wonder Girls, KARA, and Girls’ Generation (SNSD)
- 3rd generation (2014-2020): TWICE, Red Velvet, and BLACKPINK
- 4th generation (2021-Present): aespa, IVE, and NewJeans
1st Generation (1997-2003): The Foundations of K-Pop Girl Groups
K-pop girl groups first began in the late ‘90s.
They laid the groundwork for the girl groups in South Korea.
This 1st generation is often referred to as the S.F.B. (에핑베), short for S.E.S., Fin.K.L, and Baby V.O.X.
S.E.S. and Fin.K.L debuted with a mysterious fairy concept, followed by Baby V.O.X, who introduced the confident, sexy, and cool “girl crush” image.
- S.E.S.: A 3-member group under SM Entertainment. S.E.S. is the “first K-pop girl group.” With dreamy visuals and sweet vocals, they gave us classics like “I’m Your Girl” and “Dreams Come True.”
- Fin.K.L: This 4-member group from DSP Media balanced ballads and dance tracks with hits like “To My Boyfriend” and “Now.” One of the members, Lee Hyori, is still one of Korea’s most iconic solo artists.
- Baby V.O.X: As a 5-member group from DR Music, they brought a confident and edgy vibe. With their bold and sexy “girl crush” concept, they faced heavy criticism from anti-fans (haters) during their peak, sadly.
While their influence was mostly regional, the 1st generation built the foundation for K-pop girl groups.
2nd Generation (2004-2013): The Korean Wave
The second generation took K-pop beyond Korea, kicking off Hallyu (the Korean Wave).
This era is often summarized by W.K.S. (원카소): Wonder Girls, KARA, and Girls’ Generation (SNSD).
In 2007, Wonder Girls started the second generation with their hit Tell Me.
2NE1 joined this generation with their rebellious energy, crazy performance, and addictive music.
- Wonder Girls: JYP Entertainment’s girl group made history with “Nobody,” which became the first K-pop song to chart on Billboard Hot 100. They made serious efforts to break into the U.S. market.
- KARA: Known for their addictive song “Mister” and its iconic butt dance, KARA became super popular in Japan and helped lead K-pop’s expansion into other Asian countries.
- Girls’ Generation (SNSD): An 8-member group under SM Entertainment. With their hit “Gee,” SNSD set off a national trend of colored skinny jeans in 2009 and solidified their status as “the Nation’s Girl Group.” Their mix of elegance and charisma made them a cultural force.
- 2NE1: Though not in the W.K.S. acronym, 2NE1 deserves a spot here. This 4-member girl group was formed by YG Entertainment. With bold energy and songs like “I Am the Best,” they challenged girl group norms and brought a rebellious spirit to the scene.
The second generation didn’t just bring hits. They turned girl groups into global ambassadors of Korean pop culture.
3rd Generation (2014-2020): The Age of Global Domination
This era is often called the T.R.B. (트레블) generation, defined by TWICE, Red Velvet, and BLACKPINK.
Social media and streaming platforms helped these groups reach massive global audiences.
- TWICE: Formed by JYP through the survival show Sixteen, this 9-member group became queens of catchy hooks with songs like “Cheer Up” and “TT.” Their cute yet confident style made them fan favorites across Asia and the world.
- Red Velvet: SM Entertainment’s versatile 5-member group is known for switching between bright, energetic pop (“Red”) and smooth R&B (“Velvet”). They had hits like “Bad Boy” and “Red Flavor.”
- BLACKPINK: YG Entertainment’s powerhouse quartet (Jisoo, Jennie, Rosé, and Lisa) redefined the global potential of K-pop girl groups. With international hits like “Ddu-Du Ddu-Du” and “Kill This Love,” BLACKPINK became YouTube royalty and fashion icons. They even received honors from Britain’s King Charles. Although the members chose not to renew their solo contracts with YG, the group as a whole remains signed to the label.
The third generation fully embraced digital culture and built global fandoms.
4th Generation (2021-Present): The New Era
The current wave of K-pop girl groups is all about individuality, storytelling, and blending digital and real-life fan interactions.
The big three here are aespa, IVE, and NewJeans, often abbreviated as A.I.N. (에이스).
aespa launched the fourth generation in 2021 with Next Level.
- aespa: With their metaverse-themed concept and virtual avatars, aespa brought a futuristic edge to K-pop with songs like “Next Level.”
- IVE: Known for their sleek visuals and confidence, IVE made waves with chart-toppers like “Love Dive” and “After LIKE.”
- NewJeans: With a minimalist retro aesthetic and songs like “Attention” and “Hype Boy,” NewJeans captured hearts fast. However, they’re taking a break from all activities due to their legal issues.
The 4th (or even 5th) generation is still being written, but the innovation in both music and fan engagement already shows that the future of girl groups is bright.
From the innocent fairy concepts of the late ‘90s to the bold, genre-bending stars of today, K-pop girl groups have come a long way.
Each generation has pushed boundaries, built global fandoms, and changed the face of K-pop culture.
