Who Are the Biggest K-Pop Groups of the Third Generation?

Popular 3rd Gen K-Pop Boy Groups

BTS BTS—short for Bangtan Sonyeondan (or Bulletproof Boy Scouts)—is arguably one of the biggest bands in K-pop history. They were produced by Big Hit Entertainment and found success with audiences around the world, even hitting #1 on the Billboard Artist 100 chart. BTS perfected the art of connecting with fans online, posting daily on platforms like YouTube, Weverse, and V Live. Formed in: 2013 Current status: Active Popular songs: “Butter”; “”Dynamite”; “Permission to Dance” (co-written by Ed Sheeran); “My Universe” (with Coldplay) Members: Kim Namjoon (RM), Min Yoongi (SUGA), Jung Hoseok (J-hope), Kim Seokjin (Jin), Jeon Jung Kook (Jungkook), Kim Taehyung (V), Park Jimin (Jimin). Fandom: ARMY Meet the wikiHow Expert Viankha Jesslyn, or Via, is a K-pop idol based in South Korea. She has performed in groups like mep-c and Beauty Box and has an upcoming debut with NWH:I.

EXO EXO’s debut in 2012 is widely considered to be the start of the 3rd K-pop generation. Their debut album XOXO sold over a million copies, and the group performed at the 2019 Winter Olympics. While EXO were especially successful in Korea and China, they also landed on the Billboard chart. However, tensions with their production companies and within the band have left their future in question. Formed in: 2012 Current status: Uncertain Popular songs: “Growl”; “Mama”; “Monster” Members: Suho, Xiumin, Baekhyun, Chen, Chanyeol, D.O., Kai, Sehun Fandom: EXO-L (EXO-Love)

GOT7 GOT7’s heavy hip-hop influence helped them create a unique sound in the K-pop landscape. Their debut EP was an instant hit, reaching #2 on Korea’s Gaon chart and landing on the Billboard World Albums chart. Formed in: 2014 Current status: Active Popular songs: “You Calling My Name”; “Just Right”; “If You Do” Members: Jinyoung, Jackson Wang, BamBam, Mark Tuan, Kim Yugyeom, Choi Young-jae, Jay B Fandom: iGOT7 (Ahgase)

NCT NCT (“Neo Culture Technology”) is one of the largest groups in K-pop—they have an immense cast of 24+ idols divided into four sub-units (NCT U, NCT 127, NCT DREAM, NCT DoJaeJung, and WayV). They’ve also released albums as a whole group. Formed in: 2016 Current status: Active Popular songs: “Boss” (NCT U); “Cherry Bomb” (NCT 127); “Boom” (NCT Dream) Members: Johnny, Yuta, Kun, Doyoung, Ten, Winwin, Jungwoo, Mark, Xiao Jun, Hendery, Renjun, Jeno, Haechan, Jaemin, Yangyang, Chenle, Jisung, Sion, Taeyong, Jaehyun, Taeil, Lucas, Shotaro, Sungchan Fandom: NCTzen

SEVENTEEN SEVENTEEN is a group with 13 members, usually divided into three sub-units. (13 members, 3 sub-units, and 1 cohesive group add up to 17). SEVENTEEN is a global sensation, with numerous albums selling over a million copies. They’re still active, even with some members on hiatus for their required military service. Formed in: 2015 Current status: Active Popular songs: “Super”; “HOT”; “Rock with you” Members: Mingyu, Yoon Jeonghan, Wonwoo, Hoshi, The8, Wooi, Joshua Hong, Wen Junhui, DK, S.Coups, Vernon, Seungkwan, Dino Fandom: CARAT

MONSTA X MONSTA X was formed through the reality survival show No.Mercy. Their unique blend of pop, hip-hop, and EDM, plus their performances in both Korean and English, have helped broaden their international appeal. They reunited recently after taking a break for members to complete their required military service. Formed in: 2015 Current status: Active Popular songs: “Hero”; “Shoot Out”; “Love Killa” Members: Wonho, Hyungwon, Shownu, I.M, Minhyuk, Joohoney, Kihyun Fandom: MONBEBE

iKON iKON was formed on the reality survival show Mix & Match. Their debut album Welcome Back shot to #1 on the Gaon Music Chart. They were originally under YG Entertainment, but in 2023, they signed with 143 Entertainment. Formed in: 2015 Current status: Active/hiatus Popular songs: “Love Scenario”; “Killing Me”; “Rhythm Ta” Members: Jinhwan, B.I, Song Yunhyeong, Bobby, Kim Donghyuk, Koo Jun-hoe, Jung Chan-woo Fandom: iKONIC

BTOB BTOB is short for “Born to Beat,” and this group’s steady rise to fame proved that they were, in fact, the ones to beat. BTOB was given the honor of being named ambassadors for the Korea Tourism Organization in 2018, and their album Beep Beep reached #1 on the Gaon Album Chart. Formed in: 2012 Current status: Active Popular songs: “Missing You”; “It’s Okay”; “Pray (I’ll Be Your Man)” Members: Seo Eun Kwang, Lee Chang Sub, Lim Hyung Sik, Took Sung Jae, Lee Min Hyuk, Peniel Shin, Jung Il Hoon Fandom: Melody

NU’EST NU’EST was already gaining attention before they ever debuted thanks to appearances in a video by After School Blue. Once they officially debuted with their 2012 track “Face,” they really took off, and even released their own reality show. Formed in: 2012 Current status: Disbanded 2022 Popular songs: “FACE”; “BET BET”; “INSIDE OUT” Members: Ren, Hwang Min-hyun, Kim Jong-hyeon, Aron, Baekho Fandom: Love

Wanna One Wanna One was formed during the second season of the reality survival show Produce 1. They had a lot of success in a short time, but they disbanded when their contract ended in 2018. But even if they were short-lived, they’re an iconic part of the third generation. Formed in: 2017 Current status: Disbanded 2018 Popular songs: “Energetic”; “Spring Breeze”; “Boomerang” Members: Kang Daniel, Park Ji-hoon, Lee Dae-hwi, Kim Jae-hwan, Ong Seong-wu, Park Woo-jin, Lai Kuan-lin, Yoon Ji-sung, Hwang Min-hyun, Bae Jin-young, Ha Sung-woon Fandom: WANNABLE

Popular 3rd Gen K-Pop Girl Groups

Blackpink Blackpink is one of the most popular Korean groups of all time, and they were the first K-pop girl group to hit 1 billion views on YouTube. They’ve collaborated with artists like Lady Gaga, Dua Lipa, and Selena Gomez, and were the first female K-pop group to perform at Coachella. Formed in: 2016 Current status: Active Popular songs: “DDU-DU DDU-DU”; “How You Like That”; “Kill This Love”; “BOOMBAYAH” Members: Lisa, Jennie, Rosé, Jisoo Fandom: BLINK

TWICE TWICE was created through the survival show SIXTEEN, and they debuted in 2015 with their EP The Story Begins. Over time, they steadily built up their fanbase, and their first English single “The Feels” landed on the Billboard Hot 100. More recently, they appeared on the KPop Demon Hunters soundtrack. Formed in: 2015 Current status: Active Popular songs: “CHEER UP”; “Strategy” (feat. Megan Thee Stallion); “What is Love?”; “TAKEDOWN” Members: Minatozaki Sana, Momo, Nayeon, Chaeyoung, Jeongyeon, Jihyo, Tzuyu, Mina, Dahyun Fandom: ONCE

Red Velvet Although Red Velvet originally launched as a four-person group, the team quickly grew to 5 with the addition of Yeri. Their name refers to the two sides of the group’s style: red for their bold image and velvet for their classier side. Formed in: 2014 Current status: Active Popular songs: “Psycho”; “Red Flavor”; “Bad Boy” Members: Irene, Yeri, Wendy, Seulgi, Joy Fandom: ReVeluv

MAMAMOO MAMAMOO hit the K-pop scene with a unique blend of R&B, pop, and jazz. Their one-of-a-kind music stands out even more because most of it was written by the band. Their powerful vocals and versatile sound helped earn them fans world-wide, and they’ve had a number of successful albums. Formed in: 2014 Current status: Active Popular songs: “Décalcomanie”; “Um Oh Ah”; “Mr. Ambiguous” Members: Solar, Moonbyul, Wheein, Hwasa Fandom: MOOMOO

GFriend GFriend was formed by Source Music in early 2015. Their hook was lilting, innocent lyrics, string-filled melodies, and hard-hitting choreo. They gained worldwide attention after performing their song “Rough” at double-speed while still performing the complex choreography with their standard precision, and their success continued through the group’s indefinite hiatus, announced in 2021.. Formed in: 2015 Current status: Disbanded/Indefinite hiatus Popular songs: “Rough”; “MAGO”; “Me Gustas Tu” Members: Sowon, Yerin, Eunha, Yuju, SinB, Umji Fandom: Buddy

Momoland After being created as part of the survival reality show Finding Momoland, Momoland released a steady string of EPs and mini-albums. But they really exploded onto the scene with the fun, catchy single “Bboom Bboom” from th ir third mini-album Great! Formed in: 2016 Current status: Disbanded/hiatus Popular songs: “Bboom Bboom”; “BAAM”; “Wrap Me In Plastic” (with Chromance) Members: Nancy, Yeon Woo, JooE, Daisy, Taeha, Ahin, Lee Hye-bin, Jane Fandom: Merry-Go-Round

OH MY GIRL OH MY GIRL (sometimes written as OMG) originally debuted in 2015 as an 8-person group. They steadily released new music, but didn’t find significant success until their 2020 album Nonstop. Shortly afterward, their single “Dun Dun Dance” hit #1 on the Gaon Digital Chart. Formed in: 2015 Current status: Active Popular songs: “Dolphin”; “Nonstop”; “Dun Dun Dance” Members: Arin, YooA, Mimi, Seunghee, Yubin, Hyojung, Jiho Fandom: Miracle

I.O.I. I.O.I was formed during the first season of the survival reality series Produce 101. They’re considered a temporary group—they only worked together for about a year before disbanding. But many of the members went on to have successful careers, and the survival reality concept really took off thanks to their successful season. Formed in: 2017 Current status: Disbanded Popular songs: “Very Very Very”; “DOWNPOUR”; “I Love You, I Remember You” Members: Zhou Jie Qiong, Lim Na Young, Kim Chung Ha, Kim Se Jeong, Kang Mi Na, Choi Yoo Jung, Kim Do Yeon, Yoo Yeon Jung, Kim So Hye, Jung Chae Yeon, Jeon So Mi Fandom: IDOL

EXID EXID (which stands for “Exceed In Dreaming”) gained international fame in 2014 after a viral fancam moment featuring member Hani dancing to the song “Up & Down.” It was a breakout moment for EXID, who had been releasing music since 2011. The group capitalized on the attention with a successful tour and more singles. Formed in: 2011 Current status: Indefinite hiatus Popular songs: “Up & Down”; “Ah Yeah”; “Hot Pink” Members: Hani, Solji, Elly, Hyelin, Jeonghwa Fandom: LEGGO

(G)I-dle/I-dle Originally formed in 2018 as (G)I-dle, this successful group rebranded as I-dle in 2025. I-dle is known for their confident songs and strong, empowering messaging—much of which is written by the group members. They’ve released songs in Korean, English, Japanese, and Chinese, and still enjoy continued international success. Formed in: 2018 Current status: Active Popular songs: “Latata”; “Nxde”; “Oh my god” Members: Soyeon, Minni, Yuqi, Miyeon, Shuhua Fandom: Neverland

When does the 3rd Gen start and end?

Most people date the 3rd generation from 2012–2019. The third generation is generally considered to have started with EXO’s debut in 2012. Not everyone agrees when this generation officially ends—opinions range from late 2017 to 2019. But many groups through 2019 are still considered 3rd generation. Some people consider PSY’s international smash hit “Gangnam Style” to be the beginning of the third generation, but others see it as the end of the second generation. EXPERT TIP Viankha Jesslyn Viankha Jesslyn K-Pop Idol and Performer Viankha Jesslyn is a K-pop idol based in South Korea. Known as Via, she got her start at GBK Entertainment in the pre-debut girl group name mep-c in 2022 after completing several months of online training. In 2023, Via moved to BY-U Entertainment and first debuted in the girl group Beauty Box, releasing several songs, performing concerts, and touring. She most recently began working with NA Entertainment in 2025, joining their training program and scheduled to debut in the girl group NWH:I on October 24, 2025. Via has a bachelor's degree from Sekola Tinggi Musik Bandung (Bandung School of Music). Viankha Jesslyn Viankha Jesslyn K-Pop Idol and Performer People don't always agree when a generation starts and ends. The year a K-pop group debuts determines their generation, and that's usually decided by the industry. But, fans often go off of sound or vibes to determine which generation a group fits into.

What defines the 3rd Gen?

The 3rd gen is defined by increased fan engagement and worldwide reach. During the third generation, the prevalence of social media and streaming platforms made it easier than ever for K-pop groups to find fans around the world. Groups like BTS and Blackpink found huge success in international markets. This expanded reach is evident in a number of the trends that are common to the third generation. Concepts: Groups began showing more creativity in their concepts, sometimes even embracing a different style for each “era” (usually centered around album releases) Production values: With increasing pressure to make a splash on the world stage, production companies began spending more money on live shows, music videos, and styling for their idols. Music: “[In] the third generation, there’s … the girl crush concept, like Blackpink’s type of music, [which has a] techno, EDM sound with punchy lyrics, short hooks, and repeating words. And some other groups … have a sort of candy-type concept, like NCT or Seventeen. They have … more pop-sounding songs. And [some] boy groups in the third generation have a dark sound to them.” Fan engagement: Groups post to social media regularly—sometimes daily. This gives fans unprecedented access to their favorite idols (known as “biases”) and creates a sense of community between fans and groups. Diversity in styling: Jesslyn says, “The third generation is coming out of Y2K and into early 2010s fashion, with black and white stripes, tank tops, high buns, and big earrings.” Hair, clothing, and makeup became more diverse, with idols having more freedom to express themselves. Androgynous styles, bold hair colors, and luxury wear became the norm. Merchandise: While branded merchandise appeared in the 2nd generation, the use of photocards and light sticks became widespread during the 3rd generation.