Why BTS tops our list

BTS  

Debut: 2013

Members: V, Suga, Jin, Jungkook, RM, Jimin and J-Hope

What we like about them: In the K-pop industry, people are usually hired to write and produce songs for the groups, but BTS has consistently done the opposite. They have stayed true to themselves by writing their lyrics and producing their own songs. 

We love their songs as much as we love their impeccable dance moves and their hard-hitting lyrics (well, we like the translation to be exact!). BTS tends to address social issues, which is quite uncommon in K-pop. 

Shoutout for: Their album Wings had, back then, set the record for the highest chart ranking for a K-pop album ever, at number 26 on the Billboard 200 in 2016. A year later they broke the record  with the extended play Love Yourself: Her, ranking #7 on the Billboard 200. Two tracks from the same album — DNA and Mic Drop — were deemed certified gold in the US. 

Their latest music video, Fake Love from the album, Love Yourself: Tear, which released on May 18,  got around 41 million views within the first 24 hours of its release, falling short of Taylor Swift’s record for Look What You Made Me Do, which had collected over 43 million views. 

Our fave songs: Fire, Dope, Save Me.

Fandom: Their fan clubs have waiting lists, and one is eligible only after passing several tests and buying a certain amount of merchandise. Stephanie, a British BTS fan, recently moved from Scotland to Seoul to be close to her fave group. Wow!

RED VELVET 

Debut: 2014 

Members: Joy, Irene, Seulgi, Wendy and Yeri

What we like about them: We have really enjoyed their EPs Ice Cream Cake, The Velvet, Russian Roulette and Rookie as much as their album, Perfect Velvet. These girls are known to be some of the best dancers in the K-pop industry.

Shoutout for: Perfect Velvet. After releasing in November 2017, it topped the Billboard US World Albums chart.

Accolades: The group has also received several awards, such as the Golden Disc New Artist Award and the Best Female Group at the Mnet Asian Music Awards. 

Stream now: Russian Roulette, Dumb Dumb and Bad Boy.

BLACKPINK 

Debut: 2016

Members: Jennie Kim, Rose, Lisa and Jisoo

What we like about them: We are in love with their mind-blowing dancing skills, which will undoubtedly make you feel like you need to be brushing up on yours. 

Shoutout for: Whistle, which topped the Gaon Digital Chart in 2016, while Boombayah became their first number one hit on the Billboard World Digital Songs chart in 2016. Boombayah’s music video, in fact, went viral.

Accolades: They won the New Artiste of The Year award at the Golden Disc Awards 2017 and at the Seoul Music Awards 2017. BlackPink is the first female K-pop group to have three songs that topped the Billboard’s World Digital Song Sales chart and is the highest charting female K-pop act on Billboard Social 50. They are also the first K-pop act ever to be featured in YouTube’s annual Global Top 25 Summer Songs for their track As If It’s Your Last. The girls are set to give us a new album this year. 

Stream now: Boombayah, As If It’s Your Last and Playing With Fire.

iKON 

Debut: 2015

Members: Jinhwan, Yunhyeong, Bobby,B.I, Donghyuk, Ju-ne and Chanwoo

What we like about them: iKON’s music, unlike that of most other bands, is more rap-oriented, with members Bobby and B.I taking the lead. 

Shoutout for: Welcome Back.

Accolades: Welcome Back, their first album, was a huge success, topping the Gaon Album Chart in 2015. This led iKON to win several awards at major Asian award shows. Last year, Bobby told Rolling Stone: “These days rappers are also good at singing — I just wanted to become a versatile artiste.”

Stream now: Love Scenario, Rhythm Ta, and My Type.

TWICE 

Debut: 2015

Members: Nayeon, Jeongyeon, Momo, Sana, Jihyo, Mina, Dahyun, Chaeyoung and Tzuyu

What we like about them: We love how their songs traverse genres — rock to hip-hop, creating a unique soundscape. 

Shoutout for: TWICE gained popularity in 2016 with their single Cheer Up, which became the best-performing single of the year.

Accolades: Cheer Up earned the group the Song of the Year award at Melon Music Awards and Mnet Asian Music Awards. TT, a single from their third EP Twicecoaster: Lane 1, held the number one spot on the Gaon Digital Chart for four consecutive weeks. By the end of 2016, the EP was the highest-selling by a K-pop girl group. They have recently released their third single Wake Me Up and it’s infectious!

Stream now: TT, Like Ooh-Ahh and Likey.