Can you believe that the 5th Generation Kpop era has already kicked off? While this is making me feel old already, I think many old fans of the South Korean music category (or even just music fans in general) will agree with me that good music never goes out of style, regardless of the period it’s born in. Some of our evergreen 3rd Generation Kpop groups still stand tall to testify that notion.
This particular generation of South Korean artists has played a significant role in resounding the alarm for K-pop (and Hallyu content in general) all over the world. Starting from 2012, and ending somewhere around mid-2020, the groups having debuted these years sought towards the global light of recognition. While many artists from the 2nd generation set the challenge of expanding their fanbase in other countries in motion, it was finally with the ones debuting from 2012 that finally got the hang of the race better with more opportunities and resources in hand.
Once the Hallyu Wave solidified itself with the 3rd Gen bands, the K-pop industry broke out and became the global phenomenon that isn’t stopping for anyone in the present. But better resources and the advent of the age aren’t the only factors that played into these groups’ success. It was also their individuality and drive to break down hard-and-fast stereotypes. With more meaningful lyrics, microcosmic cinematic concepts encompassing a group’s entire chronology of work, hard-hitting dance routines and the amalgamation of bright and profoundly dark music concepts, the 3rd Generation groups took a flight high into the skies, and it’s only going further up with each music generation and the upcoming state of the art advancements.
While the 3rd Generation may have swiftly concluded its run, it’s representatives have undoubtedly raised the bar infinitely high. Here are some of the much-loved, competitive and legendary generation’s proponents that forever changed the music game on a global leave.
Unforgettable Evergreen 3rd Generation Kpop Groups
SEVENTEEN
The self-producing giants have indeed one of the GOATs in their industry with many of their juniors looking up to them as role models. With 13 members making up for 3 sub-units (Hip-Hop, Performance and Vocal), all reaching up high for the same dream, SEVENTEEN is not just one of the biggest K-pop groups, but is also one of the most competitive ones out there (in the best way possible).
All of its members – S.Coups, Jeonghan, Joshua, Jun, Hoshi, Wonwoo, Woozi, DK, Mingyu, The8, Seungkwan, Vernon, and Dino – push as hard as they did during their rookie years with the same intensity of fire burning in their hearts. Coming up with nearly impossible to follow choreographies, the group is led by S.Coups, while Hoshi takes charge of the Performance Team and Woozi leads the Vocal unit, while simultaneously churning out the best results for the group as the all-rounder producer.
NCT
Originally having debuted with a “limitless” concept that meant the SM Entertainment group would keep expanding with more additions to it every now and then. However, even with that theme having been curbed now, NCT still has the one of the greatest number of members with 5 sub-units foregrounding its foundation as strong pillars – NCT 127, NCT Dream, WayV, NCT DOJAEJUNG, NCT U (the final unit – NCT Tokyo debuting soon). Deemed the “most experimental boy band”, all its members (now 20) have contributed to the group’s versatile tone and sound, making for even more powerfully striking performances that have often been the most anticipated sets during the year-end Korean shows broadcasts and other events.
TWICE
Never leaving headlines, Tzuyu, Nayeon, Jihyo, Dahyun, Momo, Sana, Jeongyeon, Mina, and Chaeyoung, still make for one of the most relevant K-pop groups in the biz. Having released a never-ending list of viral content and addictive songs one just can’t forget, TWICE has pushed their fans to “Cheer Up”, while also indulging in themes of heartwarming love stories in their tracks, that instantly spark a smile on the listener’s face, regardless of whether they’re a fan or not.
Also read: 2023 NCT Concerts and Album Dates Revealed, 2 Members Leave the Kpop Band
MONSTA X
Chronicled as the “Monsters of Kpop” (again in the best way possible), MONSTA X has stayed true to their signature assertive and daunting sound since the group’s debut in 2015 (originally a septet). Charting a new chapter, Shownu, Minhyuk, Kihyun, Hyungwon, Joohoney and IM (former member – Wonho), achieved a groundbreaking feat in 2020 by becoming the first K-pop team to have released the first English album – All About Luv – in over a decade . Now, with two full English albums under their belt, the group switches sides in their Korean and Japanese comebacks to showcase an extensive and diverse discography covering endless genres in several languages.
BTS
In their case, the name is enough to foreground their identity as one of the best 3rd Generation Kpop groups. RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V and Jungkook have become global phenomena at this point. Having commenced their discography during their rookie years with rather dark-themed tracklists, the septet sought a positive evolution and development over the years, giving rise to music and storylines that opened up a healthy conversation around mental health. The Bangtan Boys have often incorporated literature, philosophical ideologies in their body of work to discuss convoluted issues like one’s identity, troubles faced in school, the coming-of-age theme and more.
Dreamcatcher
Standing tall as yet another Kpop septet with JiU, SuA, Siyeon, Handong, Yoohyeon, Dami and Gahyeon, Dreamcatcher is one of most unique 3rd Generation Kpop girl groups. As many ventured off to the pop chart streams to cater to mainstream expectations, this band formed by Happyface Entertainment (now Dreamcatcher Company) carved its own path and became the “Face of Rock in K-pop”. Listeners often point out how their songs resemble anime soundtracks due to their distinguishing inclusion of rock and metal elements that also translate into their rather horror/supernatural-themed storyline concept. Even with the 5th Generation right at the door, there still hasn’t been a K-pop girl group like this one in the industry.
EXO
Baekhyun, Chen, Lay, Sehun, Chanyeol, D.O., Kai, Suho, and Xiumin have been through a lot in all their years at SM Entertainment, but the “king of Kpop” have time and again proved that regardless of how long the stage is filled by other talents, the moment they take the spotlight, it’s theirs to control. With multiple sub-units, and each member’s solo careers outside the group as well, they’ve always appeased their fans with either funky or hard-hitting performances, that just can’t be replicated or replaced by anyone else in the game.
ASTRO
With the 6 original members of the group (now a quartet) – MJ, Jinjin, Cha Eun-woo, and Yoon San-ha (Moonbin sadly passed away earlier this year and Rocky parted ways with the group) – carrying the band’s name to greater heights, ASTRO has a very strong and loyal fan-following that has stuck with the members since 2016. Formed by Fantagio, the band has delved into various intriguing genres for their musical releases like electropop, synth-pop and R&B and two official sub-units with Moonbin-Sanha and Jinjin-Rocky that further helped the band garner popularity.
While most Kpop units stick to a particular concept and flesh it out as their brand of music, ASTRO has always fused both dark and lighter musical concepts in its body of work, churning our results that share the best of both worlds with a more positive and bright outlook.
BLACKPINK
From headlining Coachella, to some of its members making their Hollywood debuts and stepping out on the Cannes 2023 red carpet, BLACKPINK’s first-half of 2023 has already been a rollercoaster. The list of remarkable feats earned by this group never cease to surprise. With some members’ names even registered as part of Guinness World Records, Jisoo, Jennie, Rose and Lisa make for the biggest girl group in the world. EDM, trap, hip-hop and more such elements rule over their distinctive sound, which if heard once, is bound to never leave your memory owing to its addictive hooks and even snazzier choreographies that go complement it.
GOT7
Jay B, Mark, Jackson, Jinyoung, Youngjae, BamBam, and Yugyeom may presently be off pursuing their solo ventures, but the minute they come together, even if just for a night, all of Twitter still erupts with streaks of trending hashtags for the group. That’s their power and hold over K-pop fans. Whilst they were active as a group of 7, even non-fans acknowledged that there was a funnier group in town, but even other than that, the group’s stage presence and live performances had everyone holding on to their breaths. Their initial image provided them with the room to expand their street dancing flair and martial arts demonstrations, thereby allowing its global members to enter the mainstream purview.
Red Velvet
SM Entertainment’s Joy, Yeri, Irene, Seulgi and Wendy make for a trendy and groundbreaking quintet we just can’t ignore. Much like their eye-popping group name, their songs and supporting music videos are equally experimental with electronic and funky themes leading their discography. While one side of their musical personalities caters directly to mainstream contemporary changes in the music world, the other delves further into the old school tinge of the ’90s with R&B and ballads taking the lead there.
BTOB
The most melodious group of all! Now consisting of members Seo Eun-kwang, Lee Min-hyuk, Lee Chang-sub, Im Hyun-sik, Peniel Shin and Yook Sung-jae, this particular 3rd Gen boy group is widely known for their ballads and soft-hearted discography, because that’s when the sextet outshines their colleagues in terms of their endearing and untouchable divine vocals. The hilariously chaotic dynamic between the members of the group makes them easily likeable and an entertaining fit.
MAMAMOO
MAMAMOO is a well balanced-out music act with its four members – Solar, Wheein, Moonbyul and Hwasa – with the first two pitching in as vocalists and the latter as the charismatic rapper duo. Expanding their musical identities by making room for a diverse list of EPs, the quartet has has worked their way up to the top by working with a wide range of genres like Hip-Hop, retro, ballads, R&B, jazz and more.
Having debuted in 2014, the four members initiated a new chapter for women artists in this industry by breaking conventional barriers and expressing and vocalising the onus of problematic “beauty standards” borne by women. To put it simple out there, they’re not your average idols, and often lean on their music to break through gender stereotypes and performativity.
Wishing good luck to the upcoming 5th Gen groups, but I know my heart will always stay with some of the best 3rd Generation Kpop groups listed above.
Which 3rd Gen Kpop group’s music do you swear by? Let us know your picks in the comments section below.
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