We've noticed a rise of K-pop influence here in the United States over the last couple of years. And it's not hard to see why: with K-pop groups' catchy songs, flashy costumes, amazing dance skills, and wholesome fanbases, there's a lot of fun to be found within the genre.
We've decided to tackle more K-pop content here on the Live365 blog, and to start, we're chronicling our 10 favorite K-pop boy bands of all time. We don't want to break any K-pop stans' hearts, so we're not ranking these acts. Instead, we're just listing the 10 K-pop boy bands who we feel are the most talented, influential, wonderfully choreographed, and swoon-worthy right now.
We hope you're ready to sing loud and bust a move, just like these 10 boy bands below can. Gaja! (가자)
1. BTS
Of course, we had to put the record-breaking BTS at the very top of this list. These boys are the current leaders of the K-pop invasion. Probably the first band most people think of when they think of K-pop boy bands. We're very sad that they're on a sort-of-hiatus right now, but we know that when they come back, they're going to take over the music industry once again.
We believe BTS has achieved the mega-success they've achieved due to the care they put into their brand of pop music. The hits they create – such as "Dynamite," "DNA," and "Butter" – are all very well-produced, and the vocals really shine. BTS is also very skilled when it comes to remixes and collaborations. Add in some stellar music video choreography and perhaps the coolest hairstyles we've ever seen in a K-pop group, and you've got a seven-man ARMY of industry game-changers.
2. Tomorrow X Together
This is the boy band that has seemed to take BTS' place while they're temporarily away from the K-pop scene. Tomorrow X Together (or TXT for short) is a group formed by Big Hit Entertainment. They got their start in 2019, and consist of five members: Yeonjun, Soobin, Beomgyu, Taehyun, and HueningKai.
If BTS is the Backstreet Boys of K-pop, Tomorrow X Together is NSYNC. Because just like NSYNC, they've managed to create a mountain of success for themselves in a very short amount of time. The group's early commercial success has earned them several new artist awards: including Rookie of the Year at the 34th Golden Disc Awards and the 2019 Melon Music Awards, New Artist of the Year at the 9th Gaon Chart Music Awards, and Best New Male Artist at the 2019 Mnet Asian Music Awards. They're also the first K-pop group to perform and headline Lollapalooza, and received a great introduction to the mainstream public at the 2023 VMAs. We love the creativity they've brought to their Chapter album series.
3. EXO
EXO is a South Korean-Chinese group with a whole lot of x-factor. They were formed by SM Entertainment in 2011 and debuted in 2012. Originally a twelve-man band, the group currently consists of nine members: Xiumin, Suho, Lay, Baekhyun, Chen, Chanyeol, D.O., Kai and Sehun. They're revered for releasing music and performing extensively in Korean, Mandarin, and Japanese.
EXO's first studio album XOXO (2013), released alongside breakthrough single "Growl," was received positively by critics and sold over one million copies: making EXO the first Korean act to do so in twelve years. But don't be fooled – EXO isn't the kind of group that had early success and then just faded away. They've been slowly-but-steadily growing in fan appreciation. Their sixth studio album, Don't Mess Up My Tempo (2018), became their highest-charting album on the US Billboard 200, debuting at #23. Now their eighth studio album, Exist (2023), is their best-selling album in South Korea, where it's sold over 2 million copies.
4. Seventeen
Along with BTS and EXO, Seventeen is considered a K-pop boy band staple in South Korea. It may be called Seventeen, but it's actually made up of thirteen members. The group was formed by Pledis Entertainment and debuted in 2015. Their breakout EP 17 Carat became the longest-charting K-pop album of the year in the United States and the only rookie album to appear on Billboard's "10 Best K-Pop Albums of 2015" list. They've since released four studio albums, twelve EPs, and three reissues.
What makes Seventeen so beloved is their status as a "self-producing" idol group. The members are involved in songwriting, music production, and choreographing, among other aspects of their music and performances. Seventeen performs as one group but are divided into three units – hip-hop, vocal, and performance – each with a different area of specialization. We think this boy band is "Super," "HOT," and "VERY NICE!"
5. Got7
Okay, so unlike Seventeen, Got7 actually has seven members. This boy band was created by JYP Entertainment and debuted in 2014 with the release of their Got It? EP. It peaked at #2 on the Gaon Album Chart and #1 on Billboard's World Albums Chart.
Got7 is best known for their live performances, which include elements of martial arts and street dancing. This group has also ventured into the Japanese music market (they signed with Sony Music Entertainment Japan in 2014), have released five studio albums, and have even inspired two Twitter features. (Jack Dorsey, the previous CEO of Twitter, is one of their biggest fans.)
6. MONSTA X
This boy band is scary good. MONSTA X was formed as part of the TV talent show No.Mercy. They made their proper debut in 2015 with the EP Trespass, and it didn't take long before their first full-length studio album topped Billboard’s World Albums chart in the United States.
MONSTA X currently has six members. They're known for their uniquely aggressive style in K-pop music. They combine elements of hip hop, EDM, and pop, and their music production often utilizes loud, clattering, electronic instrumentals. With tough rap verses and striking vocals, this group is made for those who want a little more edge to their K-pop songs.
7. Stray Kids
Like MONSTA X, this boy band was also formed on a reality TV show. And that TV show was called...Stray Kids! This group was formed through JYP Entertainment in 2017 and is comprised of eight members. Although it initally debuted with nine members; Woojin would leave in 2019 and start a solo career.
Stray Kids are praised for their wild, easygoing image. We like how they incorporate other elements of different genres into their brand of K-pop (such as hardcore hip-hop in "Double Knot" and rockin' guitar riffs in "Red Lights"). Their first album hit #1 on the iTunes Charts in multiple countries. Then in 2021, Stray Kids' second studio album Noeasy became their first million-selling album.
8. ASTRO
Before debuting as ASTRO, all members of this star power group were part of iTeen Boys while they were training in a talent development program under Fantagio iTeen. They first starred in a web drama series called To Be Continued. Afterwards, they released their mini-album Spring Up in 2016. ASTRO fans claim this album is a must-listen. After all: shortly after the group dropped Spring Up, they were named as one of the best new K-pop acts of 2016 by Billboard.
ASTRO would finally release their first full-length album in 2019. The group was originally composed of six members. However, band member Rocky departed in February 2023, and Moonbin died shortly after. So now there's only four. It's safe to say this year has been a tough one for the group, but we have hope they can pull through.
9. NCT
They asked NCT how many members they wanted in the group, and they just said "yes." We don't know how it's possible for a boy band to have 26 freaking members, but NCT has somehow pulled it off. Short for Neo Culture Technology, NCT has become a very popular boy band and is divided into four sub-units: NCT U, NCT 127, NCT Dream, and WayV. Each unit promotes and performs on their own, although the whole group has united to record an album four times.
This mega-group was created by SM Entertainment and debuted at the start of 2016. They are notable for their dynamic musical style, vocal and rap abilities, and powerful performances. Fans know them as K-pop's "most experimental boy band" due to their concept of having limitless members.
10. ENHYPHEN
Last but not least, we have ENHYPHEN. This K-pop boy band was formed by Belift Lab: a former joint venture between CJ ENM and Hybe Corporation. They're the newest group on our list, as they first appeared through the 2020 survival competition show I-Land. They made their official debut in November 2020, with the EP Border: Day One.
ENHYPHEN is made up of seven members: Heeseung, Jay, Jake, Sunghoon, Sunoo, Jungwon, and Ni-ki. They're another K-pop group that incorporates other genres like hip-hop, R&B, and rock into their mix of songs. They released a Korean album in 2021 called Dimension: Dilemma, and a Japanese LP in 2022 called Sadame. The latter record has helped them cultivate a strong Japanese fanbase.
Check out our selection of free stations streaming K-pop music at Live365.com.
Rather listen on our app? Download the Live365 app on iOS or Android. Ready to start your own station? Contact one of our Product Consultants or visit our website today. Keep up with the latest news by following us on Facebook (Live365 (Official) and Live365 Broadcasting) and Twitter (@Live365 and @Broadcast365)! You can also shop Live365 swag and branded merchandise at store.live365.com.
Article Image: Members of Got7 strike poses during a performance at KCon in 2015. (mduangdara [CC BY-SA 2.0] via Wikimedia Commons)
