K-pop

Ever since Psy’s Gangnam Style, Korean Pop, also known as K-pop, has slowly become a very well know style of music due to a few groups like BTS, Blackpink, TXT, and Stray Kidz.

BTS’s first well-known song ‘I Need u’ got them recognition in many places in 2015, and since then they have become so popular that they have earned 442 awards and 636 nominations. In December of 2021, the group said that they were going to take a break because of the stress of becoming famous and told the Army (their fan base) that they had to say goodbye, but not forever. BTS even made a song on their growth since they first started called ‘Yet to come,’ which, being a big K-pop and BTS fan made me very emotional while interpreting the feeling and meaning behind the song. Jungkook, the golden maknae of the group was asked by Teen Vouge if they were worried about splitting up and he said, “I don’t want to think about it at this point. We have something really good going.” So far there are a lot of K-pop fans everywhere that are always excited for new songs and music videos to come out, and due to people in Korea having to serve in their military at 18 men can postpone it until 23 and if they are famous like BTS, TXT and Stray Kids they get it postponed to the age of 30.

YG’s Blackpink debuted in 2016 and started becoming famous after their songs, ‘Boombayah’ and ‘Whistle’ and was the first girl group by YG Entertainment in seven years. TXT or Tomorrow X Together’s lead single “Crown” debuted at number one on the Billboard World Digital Songs chart, topping the Billboard Emerging Artists chart. And in 2018 Stray Kids officially hit the K-pop scene with their “I Am Not” album and lead single “District 9.”

The very first K-pop groups that revolutionized Korean pop for everyone were the groups BigBang, SHINee, and Super Junior. This year (2023) there will be a few groups whose contracts will expire with their agency. Most contracts last for seven years, so when groups first debut and leave their trainee title, they then have seven years to work on their performances, create music, and hopefully become well known.

Astro, with members Cha Eun-woo, Moon Bin, Rocky, MJ, Yoon San-ha, and Jinjin all debuted in 2016 and will disband this year. Blackpink members, Lisa, Jisoo, Jennie, and Rose debuted in 2016 and disbanded in 2023. Momoland members, Nancy, Yeon Woo, JooE, Daisy, Ahin, Lee Hye-Bin, Jane, Taeha, and Nyun, first debuted on November 10, 2016.

Most of the fans of K-pop groups have been following and keeping up with their favorite group since the beginning while some have just started taking notice of them. Fans have been able to see the incredible growth of the members individually and as a group and supported every member throughout their career. It is sad to see the groups we know and love leave, but it’s better to know that even when they stop making music and doing performances, the songs and the memories of when they were popular remain.