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List of South Korean girl groups

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South Korean girl groups refer to the all-female idol groups who are part of the K-pop industry. South Korean girl groups have aided in the globalization of Korean culture. The Jeogori Sisters and The Kim Sisters have been noted as the origins of South Korean girl groups.[1]

First generation

The term "first generation" refers to South Korean idol groups which debuted from 1996 to 2002.[2]

Second generation

The term "second generation" refers to South Korean idol groups which debuted from 2003 to 2011.[3]

Best-selling girl groups

Best-selling generation two South Korean girl groups
Group and years active Notable singles Platinum-certified albums[4]
2NE1 (2009–15, 2024–25)
—N/a
4Minute (2009–16)
  • "HuH" (2010)[a]
  • "I My Me Mine" (2010)[a]
  • "Heart to Heart" (2011)[a]
  • "Mirror Mirror" (2011)[a]
  • "Volume Up" (2012)[a]
  • "What's Your Name" (2013)[b]
  • "Is It Poppin'?" (2013)[a]
  • "Gain Weight" (2014)[a]
  • "Whatcha Doin' Today" (2014)[b]
  • "Crazy" (2015)[a]
 —N/a
After School (2009–15, 2021)
—N/a
Apink (since 2011)
—N/a
Brave Girls (2011–13, 2016–18, 2020–23)
—N/a
Brown Eyed Girls (2006–15, 2019)
—N/a
Davichi (since 2008)
  • "Time, Please Stop" (2010)[b]
  • "From Me to You" (2010)[a]
  • "Wonder Woman" (2010)[a]
  • "Don't Say Goodbye" (2011)[b]
  • "We Were in Love" (2011)[b]
  • "I'll Think of You" (2012)[a]
  • "Do Men Cry" (2012)[a]
  • "Turtle" (2013)[b]
  • "Just Two of Us" (2013)[a]
  • "Be Warmed" (2013)[b]
  • "Missing You Today" (2013)[a]
  • "The Letter" (2013)[b]
  • "Again" (2014)[a]
  • "Cry Again" (2015)[b]
  • "Sorry, I'm Happy" (2015)[a]
  • "Two Lovers" (2015)[a]
  • "White" (2015)[a]
  • "Beside Me" (2016)[a]
  • "You Call It Romance" (2016)[a]
  • "Unspoken Words" (2019)[a][e]
  • "Dear." (2019)[a]
  • "Just Hug Me" (2021)[a]
  • "Everyday Christmas" (2021)[a]
  • "Time Capsule" (2025)[a]
 —N/a
f(x) (2009–16, 2019)
—N/a
Girl's Day (2010–15, 2017–18)
  • "Twinkle Twinkle" (2011)[a]
  • "Expect" (2013)[a]
  • "Female President" (2013)[a]
  • "Please Tell Me" (2013)[a]
  • "Something" (2014)[a]
  • "Darling" (2014)[b]
  • "I Miss You" (2014)[a]
  • "Ring My Bell" (2015)[a]
  • "I'll Be Yours" (2017)[a]
 —N/a
Girls' Generation (2007–17, 2021–22)
Kara (2007–15, since 2022)
Miss A (2010–13, 2015)
—N/a
Secret (2009–14, 2026[6])
—N/a
Sistar (2010–17)
  • "Push Push" (2010)[a]
  • "Shady Girl" (2010)[a]
  • "How Dare You" (2010)[a]
  • "So Cool" (2011)[b]
  • "Amazed" (2011)[a]
  • "Alone" (2012)[b]
  • "Loving U" (2012)[b]
  • "Give It to Me" (2013)[b]
  • "Touch My Body" (2014)[b]
  • "I Swear" (2014)[b]
  • "Shake It" (2015)[b]
  • "I Like That" (2016)[b]
  • "Lonely" (2017)[b]
 —N/a
T-ara (2009–17, 2020–22, since 2024[7])
Jewelry Box (2012)[5]
Wonder Girls (2007–17)
—N/a

Other girl groups

Third generation

The term "third generation" refers to South Korean idol groups which debuted from 2012 to 2017.[10]

Best-selling girl groups

Generation three South Korean girl groups that have a million-seller single on Circle Digital Chart, formerly Gaon Digital Chart.

Best-selling generation three South Korean girl groups
Group and years active Notable singles Platinum-certified albums[4]
AOA (2012–19)
—N/a
Blackpink (since 2016)
Bolbbalgan4 (2016–20)[s]
  • "Galaxy" (2016)[a]
  • "Tell Me You Love Me" (2016)[a]
  • "Some" (2017)[b]
  • "Lost Without You" (2017)[a]
  • "Mohae" (2017)[a]
  • "To My Youth" (2017)[a]
  • "#First Love" (2018)[a]
  • "Travel" (2018)[b][i]
  • "Born" (2019)[b][e]
  • "Stars Over Me" (2019)[a]
  • "Workaholic" (2019)[a]
  • "Leo" (2020)[a]
 —N/a
EXID (2012–20, 2022, 2024–25)
—N/a
GFriend (2015–21, 2024–25)
—N/a
I.O.I (2016–17, 2026[12])
—N/a
Mamamoo (2014–24, 2026[13])
—N/a
Momoland (2016–23, since 2025)
—N/a
Oh My Girl (since 2015)
—N/a
Red Velvet (since 2014)
Twice (since 2015)

Other girl groups

Fourth generation

The term "fourth generation" refers to South Korean idol groups which debuted from 2018 to present day.[14][15]

Best-selling girl groups

Generation four South Korean girl groups that have multiple platinum-certified albums from Korea Music Content Association.

Best-selling generation four South Korean girl groups
Group and years active Notable singles Platinum-certified albums[4]
Aespa (since 2020)
Babymonster (since 2023)
I-dle[z] (since 2018)
Hearts2Hearts (since 2025) "Rude!" (2026)[b]
Illit (since 2024)
Itzy (since 2019)
Ive (since 2021)
Iz*One (2018–21)
Kep1er (since 2022)
Le Sserafim (since 2022)
NewJeans (2022–25)
Nmixx (since 2022)
STAYC (since 2020)

Other girl groups

See also

Notes

  1. Top-ten song on South Korea's Circle Digital Chart, formerly Gaon Digital Chart.
  2. Number-one song on South Korea's Circle Digital Chart, formerly Gaon Digital Chart.
  3. The song is certified Gold in streaming, by the Recording Industry Association of Japan.[20]
  4. Top-ten song on Japan's Oricon Singles Chart.
  5. The song is certified Platinum in streaming, by the Korea Music Content Association.[19]
  6. The song is certified Gold in physical sales, by the Recording Industry Association of Japan.[5]
  7. Number-one song on Japan's Oricon Singles Chart.
  8. Since Son-yoona's departure from the group in 2018, Kim Hyo-jin promotes as 2NB as a solo act.
  9. The song is certified Platinum in download, by the Korea Music Content Association.[18]
  10. The song is certified Gold, by the Recording Industry Association of America.
  11. The song is certified Platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association; Gold by the Recording Industry Association of Japan, France's Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique, and the Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry; and Silver by the British Phonographic Industry.
  12. The song is certified Platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association, and the Recording Industry Association of Japan; Gold by France's Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique, Portugal's Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa, and the Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry; and Silver by the British Phonographic Industry.
  13. The song is certified 2× Platinum by Music Canada; Platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association, and the Recording Industry Association of Japan; Gold by France's Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique, Portugal's Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa, and the Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry; and Silver by the British Phonographic Industry.
  14. Top-ten song on the Billboard Global 200.[16]
  15. The song is certified Platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association and Gold by the Recording Industry Association of Japan, Music Canada, and International Federation of the Phonographic Industry.
  16. The song is certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of Japan, and Gold by the Australian Recording Industry Association.
  17. Number-one song on the Billboard Global 200.[16]
  18. The song is certified Platinum by Music Canada, and Gold by the Australian Recording Industry Association and the Recording Industry Association of Japan.
  19. Since Woo Ji-yoon's departure from the group in April 2020, Ahn Ji-young promotes as Bolbbalgan4 as a solo act.[11]
  20. Top-ten song on the K-pop Hot 100.
  21. The song is certified Platinum in physical sales, by the Recording Industry Association of Japan.[5]
  22. The song is certified Platinum in streaming, by the Recording Industry Association of Japan.[20]
  23. The song is certified 2× Platinum in physical sales, by the Recording Industry Association of Japan.[5]
  24. The song is certified 2× Platinum in streaming, by the Recording Industry Association of Japan.[20]
  25. Formerly known as Elris.
  26. Formerly known as (G)I-dle.
  27. The song is certified Silver in streaming, by the Recording Industry Association of Japan.[20]
  28. Top-ten song on the Billboard Global 200.[17]
  29. Formerly known as LimeLight.

References

  1. "A Brief History of K-pop". Los Angeles Film School. April 7, 2021. Retrieved February 6, 2026.
  2. Gan, Shanne (August 17, 2021). "Bandwagon's guide to K-pop pioneers". Bandwagon. Retrieved April 26, 2026.
  3. Gan, Shanne (October 4, 2021). "Bandwagon's guide to 2nd generation K-pop idols". Bandwagon. Retrieved April 27, 2026.
  4. "Circle Chart Album Certifications". Circle Chart. Archived from the original on January 8, 2026. Retrieved June 11, 2026.
  5. "Certifications Search – Gold Disc" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Archived from the original on September 24, 2019. Retrieved November 23, 2025. Note: To retrieve album certifications, type in the group's name in the box "アーティスト" and click the "検索" button
  6. Baek, Ji-eun (June 4, 2026). "Secret Reunites After 12 Years". The Chosun Ilbo. Retrieved June 8, 2026.
  8. "Nine Muses reunites to celebrate 15th anniversary with heartfelt messages and friendship". Chosun Biz. July 7, 2025. Retrieved April 13, 2026.
  9. "Reuniting after 15 years, SeeYa confronts new K-pop reality". The Korea Times. April 2, 2026. Retrieved April 13, 2026.
  10. Yang, Haley (March 5, 2023). "Third generation of girl groups looks to be marking end of an era". Korea JoongAng Daily. Retrieved April 25, 2026.
  11. Kwak, Yeon-soo (April 3, 2020). "Woo Ji-yoon quits K-pop duo Bol4". The Korea Times. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
  12. Jeong, Jae-Hong (February 23, 2026). "I.O.I to hold debut 10th anniversary comeback in May, preparing new album". Korea JoongAng Daily. Retrieved February 24, 2026.
  13. Bernando, Jaehwa (April 3, 2026). "Mamamoo to bring 2026 world tour to Manila in August". ABS-CBN Corporation. Retrieved May 7, 2026.
  14. Dong, Sun-hwa (February 18, 2021). "Is K-pop ushering in a new generation?". The Korea Times. Retrieved April 25, 2026.
  15. "Japanese girl group Cosmosy raises questions about K-pop's generational identity". The Korea Times. January 31, 2025. Retrieved April 25, 2026.
  16. "Blackpink | Biography, Music & News | Billboard". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 13, 2020. Retrieved July 19, 2024.
  17. "NewJeans | Biography, Music & News | Billboard". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 21, 2023. Retrieved July 19, 2024.
  18. "Certification - Download". Circle Chart. Archived from the original on July 7, 2022. Retrieved June 11, 2026.
  19. "Certification - Streaming". Circle Chart. Archived from the original on July 12, 2025. Retrieved June 11, 2026.
  20. "Certifications Search – Streaming" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Archived from the original on September 23, 2020. Retrieved November 23, 2025. Note: To retrieve song certifications, type in the group's name in the box "アーティスト" and click the "検索" button.