In over 30 years of K-pop; discover which are the oldest girl and boy groups of the musical genre that emerged in South Korea
With the South Korean government’s investment in promoting local culture outside the country’s borders since the 1990s, K-pop emerged, a musical genre that has as its initial mark the debut of the trio Seo Taiji & The Boys in 1992, but which has since gained several formations composed of feline and male idols, as well as solo artists.
Among these, many groups no longer exist, others managed to remain active even with their long career on stage, even overcoming the feared “seven-year curse”, named in reference to the maximum duration of contracts established between idols and entertainment agencies in South Korea, as this allows many members not to renew their contracts and the groups to disband.
Thinking about the more than 30 years of existence of k-pop, RECREIO put together a list of the oldest groups that are still active; check it out!
14. BTS
Debut: June 13, 2013
Most recent comeback: It happened on June 10, 2022 with the release of the album “Proof” and the MV for “Yet To Come (The Most Beautiful Moment)”
Years in business: 11
13. EXO
Debut: April 8, 2012
Most recent comeback: Held on July 10, 2023, with the seventh full-album “EXIST” and the release of the music video for “Cream Soda”
Years in business: 12
12. Apink
Debut: April 19, 2011
Most recent comeback: The single “Wait Me There” was released on April 19, 2024 to celebrate the group’s 13th anniversary, becoming the group’s newest work.
Years in business: 13
11. INFINITE
Debut: August 30, 2017
Most recent comeback: It happened with “Flower”, a single released on June 9 to celebrate its 14th anniversary.
Years in business: 14
10. ZE:A
Debut: January 7, 2010
Most recent comeback: Released on April 20, 2016 with the single “Just Tonight”
Years in business: 14
9. Davichi
Debut: February 4, 2008
Most recent comeback: “I’ll be by your side”, single released on March 26, 2024
Years in business: 16
8. 2PM
Debut: September 4, 2008
Most recent comeback: It happened with the mini-album “MUST”, released together with the MV of “해야해”
Years in business: 16
7. SHINee
Debut: December 18, 2017
Most recent comeback: The group’s last comeback was held in June 2023, with the seventh full-album repackage “HARD” and the MV for the eponymous track.
Years in business: 16
6. Girls’ Generation
Debut: August 5, 2007
Most recent comeback: SNSD’s latest release in August 2022 is the full-album “FOREVER 1”, in celebration of their 15th debut anniversary.
Years in business: 17
5. BIGBANG
Debut: March 11, 2019
Most recent comeback: It happened in April 2022, with the track “Still Life”
Years in business: 18
4. Brown Eyed Girls
Debut: March 2, 2006
Most recent comeback: It happened with the album “Revive” and the MV for “Wonder Woman”, released on October 28, 2019.
Years in business: 18
3. Super Junior
Debut: November 6, 2005
Most recent comeback: It happened in July 2022 with the 11th full album “The Road: Keep on Going” and the video for the title track “Mango”
Years in business: 19
2. TVXQ
Debut: December 26, 2003
Most recent comeback: Released on December 26, 2023 with the album “20&2” and the MV for “Rebel”
Years in business: 21
1. SHINHWA
Debut: March 24, 1998
Most recent comeback: It was made with the album “HEART” and the MV “Kiss Me Like That” on August 28, 2018 in celebration of the 20th anniversary of the formation.
Years in business: 26
Source: Recreio
