A sub-unit is a smaller group, usually around two to five members, formed from a larger group. Sub-units usually release music and concepts that have a different vibe from the main group. Forming sub-units also allow idols to experiment with genres and aesthetics not usually embraced by the full group.
Here are some of the amazing idol group sub-units in K-pop:
Super Junior–K.R.Y.
Let’s be real: sub-units won’t exist in K-pop if not for Super Junior—they were the first group to introduce the concept of sub-units in K-pop. The second generation idol group introduced Super Junior–K.R.Y., made up of main vocalists Kyuhyun, Ryeowook, and Yesung, in 2006 with “The One I Love” from the drama Hyena original soundtrack. The trio continually recorded several drama soundtracks, as well as beautiful ballad tracks. In 2020, they released their first EP, When We Were Us.
Listen to Super Junior K.R.Y’s “When We Were Us” from their EP of the same name:
Super Junior–D&E
Super Junior D&E is the fifth sub-unit of the legendary idol group, after Super Junior K.R.Y., Super Junior-T, Super Junior-M, and Super Junior-H. The unit brought together the group’s main dancers, Donghae and Eunhyuk. The duo debuted in 2011 with the catchy single “Oppa, Oppa.”
The talented twosome is celebrating their 10th anniversary as a sub-unit this year. They released their first full album Countdown on November 2, 2021. Watch the fun music video for their latest title track “Zero”:
Girls’ Generation–TTS
Girls’ Generation–TTS is the girl group’s first sub-unit, composed of main vocalists Taeyeon, Tiffany, and Seohyun. The trio has released three EPs: Twinkle, Holler, and Dear Santa. The unit is currently on hiatus, as Tiffany and Seohyun have left SM Entertainment, but SONEs are still holding out for a TTS comeback!
Watch their debut single “Twinkle” (featuring pre-debut Chanyeol, Baekhyun, Kai, and Sehun!) below:
Girls’ Generation–Oh!GG
Girls’ Generation-Oh!GG is the group’s second sub-unit, composed of the members still with SM Entertainment: Taeyeon, Sunny, Hyoyeon, Yuri, and Yoona. The unit released their first single album Lil’ Touch in 2018.
Watch their video Lil’ Touch below:
EXO–CBX
EXO-CBX is the first sub-unit of EXO, made up of members Chen, Baekhyun, and Xiumin. The trio debuted in 2016 with the high-energy track “Hey Mama!”
The unit is currently on hiatus as Chen and Baekhyun are still completing their military service. Their most recent release is 2018’s “Blooming Day.” Watch the music video below:
EXO–SC
EXO’s rapper line, Sehun and Chanyeol, came together to form the group’s second sub-unit, EXO–SC. They debuted in 2019 with their first EP, What A Life. Just one year later, they released their first full album, 1 Billion Views. Their combined album sales have already exceeded 900,000 copies, making EXO–SC one of the most successful K-pop sub-units!
Like EXO–CBX, EXO–SC is also on hiatus as Chanyeol is currently serving in the military and Sehun is busy with his acting projects. In the meantime, watch Sehun and Chanyeol’s “One Billion Views” below while we wait for the duo to make a comeback:
NCT
NCT is a massive 23-member group split into several sub-units: NCT U, NCT127, NCT Dream, and WayV. NCT U is a rotational unit that is formed from group members that fit a particular comeback concept. NCT127 is the Seoul-based unit that will be primarily active in Korea. NCT Dream was originally the “teenage” sub-unit with an age-based graduation system, but this system has since been abolished. WayV is the group’s China-based unit.
NCT127 is the latest sub-unit to make a comeback with “Sticker.” The song has ten music show wins as of October 8, 2021. Check out NCT127’s “Sticker” music video below:
VIXX LR
VIXX LR is the first sub-unit of concept kings VIXX, composed of main vocalist Leo and main rapper Ravi. The duo’s contrasting yet harmonious vocal colors debuted in 2015 with “Beautiful Liar“. Their last comeback was in 2017 with “Whisper.” Leo is currently busy with preparations for the Frankenstein musical, while Ravi is occupied with releasing solo music, appearing on variety shows and managing his two music labels—but here’s to hoping they make a comeback soon!
Watch VIXX LR’s “Whisper” music video below:
BIGBANG – GD&TOP/ GDxTAEYANG
Bigbang has two official sub-units: GD & TOP and GD x Taeyang.
Rapper duo G-Dragon and T.O.P released their first album as a sub-unit in 2010. That album yielded three singles: “High High,” “Oh Yeah,” and “Knock Out.” Their most recent single, “Zutter,” was released in 2015 as part of Bigbang’s MADE album.
VIPs know that G-Dragon and Taeyang were originally slated to debut as a hip hop duo before Bigbang, so fans were thrilled when they paired up to form a sub-unit in 2014. The K-pop legends have only released the track “Good Boy” so far, but fans will surely keep watch for a comeback!
RED VELVET–IRENE & SEULGI
Red Velvet’s leader Irene and main dancer Seulgi teamed up to form the girl group’s first sub-unit. The pair played up the sultry vibe with their first EP, Monster, released on July 6, 2020.
Be mesmerized by Irene and Seulgi’s tutting in “Naughty” below:
Of course, there are more insanely talented sub-units. There was the quirky Orange Caramel, the co-ed project groups Troublemaker and Triple H, the YG hip-hop duo MOBB, the sexy SISTAR19 and more. All of these sub-units add their own unique colors to the ever-growing K-pop scene.
Which sub-unit is your favorite?
Featured Image: Sehun and Chanyeol of the EXO–SC, sub unit of EXO. Photo: SM Town official website
South Korean Netflix series “Squid Game” has been the hottest thing on TV (rather, OTT [over-the-top] media services, geez this thing about Netflix and streaming platforms has everybody confused on what to call their content) these days. Imagine, a drama that is not in English has been topping Netflix’s most-watched show list. Even the streaming platform’s earlier breakout hits that are not in the English language – Spanish programs “Money Heist” and “Elite,” the French Japanese manga-inspired “Lupin,” and the German Yiddish-language “Unorthodox” cannot claim that distinction!
Just when we thought that South Korean soft power is showing signs of plateauing, our Hallyu content creatives somehow manage to churn out something that has the entire world lapping anything they produce. Like every year, most of us Korean culture otakus who speculate that maybe this year will be the year that the Korean Wave will recede and start to decline in popularity, it is not the case at all. The thing is, I have been anticipating this since 2014, when so many scandals have hit a lot of our well-loved Korean celebrities. Not to mention that the Sewol Ferry tragedy felt like it did a huge number of the collective South Korean national psyche. But year after year, I have been proven wrong.
2015 had K-pop reawakening with a vengeance with JYP and YG debuting Twice, iKon, and Day 6, SM Entertainment finally debuted Girl’s Generation’s Taeyeon as a solo artist, and who can forget the iconic MAMA performance of 2NE1 in December of that year?
In 2016, it was Korean cinema’s turn to keep Hallyu on top with Train to Busan, A Violent Prosecutor, and The Age of Shadows establishing astronomic box office figures and Park Chanwook’s The Handmaiden and Na Hingjin’s The Wailing killing it in international film festivals and giving Korean movies more global recognition.
The age of cinema and drama
And before 2016 ended, ageless Gong Yoo, who already had a banner year starring in two of the three highest-grossing films of the year (#1 Train to Busan and #3 The Age of Shadows) and also starring in A Man and a Woman with Cannes darling Jeon Doeyeon, gifted the world with Goblin – The Lonely Shining God (Guardian: The Lonely and Great God in other countries), a TV show that would further Korean TV already-stellar year. The year was dotted with worldwide hits such as Descendants of the Sun, Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bokjoo, and Love in the Moonlight.
Since 2016 was also a banner year for TV dramas, it was also a great year for its OSTs. OST songs really dominated the Korean charts for most of the year, not just in their separate OST category, but in the main top single streaming and downloading charts as well.
The Song couple-led Descendants of the Sun was everywhere with not one, not two, not three, but FIVE songs charting high when they were released – Gummy’s “You are My Everything“, Davichi’s “This Love“, Chen and Punch’s “Everytime”, K.Will’s “Talk Love“, and Yoo Mirae’s “Always“.
Who could forget Jung Seung Kwan’s addictive ballad “If It is You“, included in the OST of Another Miss Oh which has been used countless times in singing reality competitions? We’re not even counting Goblin’s three impressive songs that were released early the following year – Soyou’s “I Miss You“, Chanyeol’s “Stay With Me“, and of course, Ailee’s modern-day classic “I Will Go to You Like the First Snow“.
One word: BTS
And what can we say about 2017 than to keep it in three letters – BTS. Out of nowhere, the group that has been considered as a nugu group with flash in the pan success internationally proved that they can also sell domestically when they released a repackaged version of Wings entitled You’ll Never Walk Alone that had songs “Spring Day” and “Not Today“. This was followed up by the group getting international exposure for the rest of the year and not looking back since then.
But we simply can’t rely on BTS to raise the flag for Korean pop culture every year, yes? Doing that will only allow people to believe that Korean soft power is a fluke since it only relies on a single entity to keep it afloat.
Once the popularity of our Bangtan Boys will wane (which of course we will never accept but, just for academic discourse, say it might be a possibility), international audiences will quickly revert to asking, “Why are there Chinese shows on TV?” when we watch K-dramas or “Is that Japanese?” when we listen to K-pop.
2018 proved that Korean pop culture is right back at the center of the world’s stage as 2NE1’s CL and EXO performed in the closing ceremonies of the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang. On the TV front, the year cemented the arrival of two actor-dols in Astro’s Cha Eunwoo (My ID is Gangnam Beauty) and EXO’s D.O (100 Days My Prince) and yet another oppa who has shown promise in the past but broke out in 2018 with What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim? – Park Seojun.
In 2019, the world renewed its appreciation for Korean movies when Bong Joonho’s Parasite took every award there was, including American ones, which has had a history of being reluctant when it comes to recognizing films that are not in the English language.
It started with 2018’s Burning, directed by Lee Changdong and starring premiere character actor Yoo Ahin who has also proven his abilities as a lead star, and Steven Yeun, who was at that time most known as Glenn in the US TV show The Walking Dead. Burning was heaped with praises by film critics and award-winning bodies, managing to win the FIPRESCI Prize and Vulcan Award in the 2018 edition of the Cannes Film Festival. However, when it came to the biggest event, the Academy Awards aka the Oscars, the movie only managed to crack the final nine-film shortlist, but was eventually dropped off the final five nominees.
Thus, that Parasite didn’t just win the following year in the Cannes’ Palm d’Or and the Oscars’ Best Foreign Language Film and Best Picture gave the Korean film industry another full year to take the world’s center stage. The movie exposed the class divide between the haves and the have nots, with no clear protagonist or antagonist. It therefore leaves the decision on who are the heroes and villains of the movie to the audience – the poor Kims who have managed to leech off their subsistence from a wealthy family, or the rich Parks, who seem to be distanced from the harsh realities of the world and not really caring for their employees?
As critics opined, the movie solidified the creation of a unique genre by the movie’s director Bong Joonho: not quite a drama, not quite a suspense thriller, not quite a legit black comedy, but a balanced mixture of all three elements.
The year where everyone was home
When 2020 had people thinking, this will be the year that Korean culture’s popularity will finally begin its decline, they were disappointed again. How can movies and dramas possibly be popular this year when people are not allowed to go out and watch movies in a cinema? That’s where Netflix and other online streaming platforms barged in with their promises of binge-watch-worthy content. Thus, everybody got to know the gallant North Korean soldier Captain Ri (Hyun Bin) and self-made tycoon Seri (Son Yejin) in Crash Landing on You, as well as the wronged wife Dr Ji (Kim Heeae), the philandering Lee Taeoh (Park Haejoon) and the blindingly beautiful Dakyung (Han Sohee) in The World of the Married. Both showed broke domestic and international records in terms of viewership and made household names of their actors. Both shows have also been (and still are) available on Netflix.
2020 also brought us another gem in the film world – the Korean-American co-production Minari. Although it can be argued that the movie slants more towards the American sensibilities of its director Lee Isaac Chung, the scenes and emotional tug are distinctly Korean. It even won an Oscar for Korean acting icon Youn Yuhjung, the first for any Korean actor.
This brings us to 2021, when the popularity of Korean TV shows has been further established with Squid Game’s phenomenal run. Before Squid Game, the most popular Korean export is the history zombie thriller Kingdom, which stars Ju Jihoon. With Kingdom only releasing a special episode this July and another one in the works that won’t be released until 2023, it’s safe to say that it was Squid Game that really reinforced South Korean soft power, something we fans can be happy with because this definitely means that we will be having more Korean dramas, k-pop music, and Korean movies for more years to come!
Featured image: Squid Game besties HoYeon Jung (Kang Sae Byeok) and Lee Yoo-mi (Ji Yeong). Photo: Still Watching Netflix/YouTube
In the world of K-pop, it look like groups have dominated for years. For every IU, BoA, Chungha, Ailee, or Sunmi, there’s at least three or five groups you can mention to prove the discrepancy in the number of successful soloists to groups. While it is true that the rate of failure among girl and boy groups is very high, the number of soloists getting their breaks in the first place is smaller.
And then, there are the unicorns of the Korean music industry: The K-pop duos. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a good number of pairs that could rival Simon and Garfunkel, Outkast, Daft Punk, or The Everly Brothers.
So, we’ve gathered them for you. And believe us when we say that knowing them is quite rewarding!
DAVICHI
Early beginnings: Any K-pop fan who has been around the block for years would know Davichi. Those who swear by K-dramas would surely know them. After all, you cannot really get through a season of K-dramas without hearing an OST contribution from this legendary K-pop duo. Having already celebrated their 10th year in the Korean music scene in 2018, Davichi has proven their career’s longevity without resorting to a lot of tactics that most K-pop acts have used to achieve their stardom, from multi-billion-won marketing blitzes to appealing to the younger crowds.
Formed in 2008, Davichi consists of two female vocalists Lee Haeri and Kang Minkyung. The duo’s name in Korean actually means “shining over everything”, and considering the power and longevity of these two, their names feel appropriate.
Davichi’s discography as of 2021 is composed of three studio albums and six extended plays, which for a lot of observers may not be the body of work of an enduring K-pop artist. After all, their output would only mean a release every year, which isn’t really a strong showing for anyone in the Korean music industry. However, what Davichi lacks in EPs and albums, they compensate with participation in countless soundtracks. Once we consider their work in OSTs for television dramas like Big(2012), Iris II (2013), It’s Okay, That’s Love(2014), Descendants of the Sun (2016), Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo (2016), and Now We are Breaking Up(2021), we definitely cannot discount how extensive their career had been.
Their debut single “I Love You Even Though I Hate You” was already a commercial success – Davichi is really no pushover. Since then, they have accumulated seven (yes, 7) number one singles and their OSTs are consistent high rankers as well. So, even if they are not exactly the textbook definition of what a “K-pop act” should be with their distance from pop sounds we’ve associated with K-pop, their unique blend of power ballads and R&B-influenced songs have cemented the duo’s place in the K-pop canon.
Davichi debuted with their studio album, Amaranth, on February 4, 2008. As early as then, they already experienced success with their promotional track “I Love You Even Though I Hate You” getting awarded the “Rookie of the Month” award for February at the Cyworld Digital Music Awards. They promoted “Sad Promise” from the same album as their follow-up track and later released a repackaged edition of their first album titled Vivid Summer Edition, with “Love and War” as the promotional single.
Davichi’s debut year got off to a strong start as they quickly gained vast fan following and critical acclaim. The duo has been in the industry since 2008. Photo credit: Davichi official twitter
To say that Davichi’s debut year was a success sounds about right as they did not only enjoy strong sales and radio play but also quickly accumulated a vast fan following fast and unquestionable critical favor. By the end of the year, they were the recipient of “Best New Artist” awards from the Mnet Asian Music Awards, Golden Disk Awards, and the Seoul Music Awards.
Rise to Fame: After the success of their debut efforts, Davichi was set to prove that they weren’t just the recipients of beginner’s luck. They went to the top of the charts with seven songs – “Time, Please Stop” (which featured T-Ara’s Eunjung on the music video), “Don’t Say Goodbye“, “Turtle“, “Be Warmed” (featuring Verbal Jint), “The Letter” (편지), “We Were in Love” (a collaboration with T-Ara), and “Cry Again“.
They also have a considerable number of singles that peaked at numbers 2 and 3, and their 2021 single “Just Hug Me” reached #8. The first holiday single of their career entitled “Everyday Christmas” has reached #16 in the Korean charts as of the second week of December 2021.
Davichi is also notoriously popular for their heart-wrenching power OST ballads, and with 14 OST appearances, you can argue they have amassed more popularity in them compared to their own releases. Arguably, the most popular among these 14 OSTs is the song “This Love“ from the 2016 K-drama Descendants of the Sun. As with many of their OST contributions, “This Love” became so popular that the duo was invited to music shows for special stages to sing the song live, something they do not commonly do with their songs, particularly their OSTs.
By the way, aside from their duo activities, the two have also dabbled with acting. Minkyung has actually appeared as a lead actress on some K-dramas aside from singing OSTs as a solo artist, while Haeri has also portrayed lead roles in musical theatre and has become a TV personality with her participation in several musical programs.
Must-Listens: The top two Davichi sings are OSTs, of course, with “This Love” and “Forgetting You” from the Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo OST. As for their releases, “Cry Again” and the breathtaking music video filmed in Budapest takes the cake.
AKMU
Early beginnings: We’ve had Donnie and Marie Osmond, the Jonas Brothers, and The Carpenters battling it out for the title of most talented siblings in showbiz, but for K-pop, there can only be one: AKMU. Akdong Musician, composed of the Lee siblings Suhyun and Chanhyuk, has been a staple in the Korean entertainment scene since 2014 and have been regarded since then as the country’s premier brother-sister musical duo. Basically, anyone in Korea who doesn’t know who AKMU is met with disbelief.
Lee Chanhyuk and Lee Suhyun did not spend a lot of their growing up years in Korea though. They lived with their missionary parents in Mongolia for almost five years before returning to South Korea. The siblings were home-schooled by their mother in Mongolia and returned to Korea in 2012 to participate in the preliminary auditions of K-pop Star 2 in Seoul. Chanhyuk was 16 and Suhyun was 13 at that time. In spite of their lack of experience and youth, everybody, especially the judges panel composed of YG Entertainment’s Yang Hyunsuk, JYP’s Park Jinyoung, and SM’s BoA, was nothing short of impressed when the siblings sang a cover of Miss A’s “Breathe” and an original song titled “Don’t Cross Your Legs“.
The two went on to deliver performances throughout the contest that were sometimes outstanding and sometimes a bit inconsistent. In the end, they went on to win the competition. A month after winning, the siblings and the contest’s second placer Bang Yedam (currently with the YG group Treasure) signed an exclusive contract with YG Entertainment.
Rise to Fame: It took a whole year from winning K-Pop Star 2 before AKMU debuted with their first album, Play, with three singles to be released – “200%” chosen by Yang Hyun-suk, “Melted” chosen by Akdong Musician, and “Give Love” determined by the fans. Play took number one spot on the Gaon Charts and number two on Billboard’s US World Albums Chart, while “200%” topped all South Korean charts. Akdong Musician then released the digital single, “Time and Fallen Leaves” in October. Although it was planned as the lead single for Play, it was delayed to suit the season. The song made an “all-kill” two consecutive days after release, but was not given a music video so the listeners would imagine their own stories.
답답터지는 수현과 그저 웃긴 찬혁. 그들은 서로에 대해 얼마나 알고 있을까요? 🤔 하루 중 제일 좋아하는 시간은? 요즘 즐겨듣는 노래는? 현실남매 케미! 악뮤 #추측인터뷰를 지금 바로 유튜브에서 만나보세요! 👫#마리끌레르#악뮤@official_akmu
Suhyun joined labelmate Lee Hi to form Hi Suhyun, which released their debut single, “I’m Different“, which won them music show trophies. After the success of “200%” and “Time and Fallen Leaves“, AKMU has had three more number 1s with “Re-bye” (from the Spring EP) in 2016; “How Can I Love the Heartbreak, You’re the One I Love” from 2019’s Sailing; and “Nakka“, a collaboration with IU from the EP Next Episode, which features AKMU collaborating with various artists.
Through those years, AKMU even snuck in a hiatus as Chanhyuk enlisted for his mandatory military enlistment in 2017 with the Korean Marines. During this time, Suhyun occupied her time with solo activities as a radio DJ at KBS Cool FM’s Volume Up, a permanent cast member on JTBC’s Begin Again, and a soundtrack release for the TV drama Mr. Sunshine, among others. Once Chanhyuk successfully fulfilled his mandatory military service, the EP Sailing and the lead single “How Can I Love the Heartbreak, You’re the One I Love” served as their comeback.
It was a massively successful comeback with the single eventually selling more than 2.5 million copies and cementing the duo’s stardom and status as “digital monsters”. The subsequent releases revealed that the duo has decided to stay officially as “AKMU” to reinforce their more mature image. As of 2021, the duo has re-signed with YG Entertainment for five more years.
Must-Listens: It is definitely not a joke when we say that every single AKMU song is a must. But if we were to choose three, the first would be their debut single, “200%“, which showcased their singer-songwriter prowess at the start of their careers. The second one would be “Time and Fallen Leaves“, which showed their depth and artistry as young as they were, and finally, “How Can I Love the Heartbreak, You’re the One I Love“, which will just guarantee your transforming into an emotional wreck after listening to this song.
TVXQ!
Early beginnings: We all know TVXQ! nowadays as being composed of two members, Changmin and Yunho. Old school K-pop fans from the 2000s, however, would know that this wasn’t the case. Up until 2009, TVXQ was composed of five members, with the two mentioned along with Junsu, Jaejoong, and Yoochun.
You mean, JYJ?
Exactly. Before JYJ and before TVXQ dwindled down to a duo, SM’s premiere second-generation group used to have five members. The group became wildly popular not just in Korea, but also in Japan and China.
The duo, Changmin and Yunho – the current members of TVXQ! Picture credit: TVQX official twitter
Unfortunately, along with massive popularity came issues. In July 2009, members Jaejoong, Yoochun, and Junsu launched an attempt to split with their Korean management S.M. Entertainment.
They claimed that their thirteen-year contract was excessively long, schedules were held out without the permission of the members, and that there was an unfair distribution of the group’s profits from their activities.
The Korean courts sided with them momentarily and granted them a temporary contract injunction, causing the activities of the five-member group in Korea to be canceled. To make things more awkward, Changmin and Yunho released a statement expressing support of their agency and urging their three groupmates to work things out with SM so that they could continue their activities as a group.
There was temporary peace and order among the five members, at least on their Japanese activities as they continued to promote as five members in the country. They even released their 28th and 29th singles before releasing a greatest hits album in February 2010 and releasing their 30th single a month later. In April, Avex, the group’s Japanese agency, announced the formation of a special unit JYJ. This was also launched in Korea later by the three members’ new agency C-JeS. So while JYJ proceeded in launching their new group and battling it out with SM Entertainment in the courts, TVXQ! was (un)ceremoniously converted from a 5-piece group to a duo.
Rise to Fame: With full backing of their entertainment agency, Yunho and Changmin started a new chapter of TVXQ!’s history, this time as a duo in 2011 with the single “Keep Your Head Down”. The single gave the duo seven wins in music shows and won album of the year at the Gaon Chart K-Pop Awards. Its Japanese version also brought the duo back to the top of the country’s charts and was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of Japan.
Of course, with their first song as a duo, comments from the public arose that “Keep Your Head Down” is throwing shade towards their three former groupmates, telling them to be humble and not embarrass themselves by getting into a legal dispute with their former company. The duo clarified that the song is not a diss track and is actually about what a man wants to say to an ex who has left him.
Since “Keep Your Head Down“, TVXQ! has continuously released music in both Korea and Japan, with the duo releasing ten more Korean singles since 2011 and 21 more Japanese singles (including “Why?”, the Japanese version of Keep Your Head Down).
Aside from the group’s first hiatus when JYJ broke out from them in 2010, TVXQ! had its second hiatus when Yunho began serving his mandatory military service for the Republic of Korea Armed Forces in 2015. Changmin joined the Military Police months after. The duo staged a comeback in 2017 and have been active both in Japan and Korea since, even during the pandemic.
Must-Listens: For TVXQ!’s discography as a duo, their debut single “Keep Your Head Down” is a definite must. Their 2014 track “Something” is another song that has signaled the shift of the duo in terms of their sound from a very hard-hitting hip-hop-rock fusion to a more bluesy R&B one. Finally, there’s 2018’s “The Chance of Love” that has continued the duo’s swing jazzy sound they are now more known for.
BOL4
The duo, Jiyoung and Jiyoon, were classmates who grew up together in Yeongju, North Gyeongsang Province. Picture credit: Bol4 official Twitter
Alas, there’s Bolbbalgan4, or later known as BOL4 – a duo that has unfortunately become a solo act in the pandemic. Jiyoung and Jiyoon, who make up the duo, grew up together in Yeongju, North Gyeongsang Province. They were classmates. Like AKMU, BOL4 also tried their luck in a singing reality competition. They joined the sixth installment of SuperStar K in 2014 with the likes of Kim Feel, Kwak Jineon, 4th Impact, and Song Yuvin. Unfortunately, they were cut off during the elimination rounds.
That did not hinder the pair from realizing their dreams – they went on to sign with Shofar Music. In 2016, they debuted with the name Bolbbalgan4, with the goal of making pure, honest music that is reminiscent of adolescence. In English, their name translates to blushing puberty and between the two, Jiyoon is the “blushing” one because of her shy personality and Jiyoung is in charge of “youth” because she portrays adolescence well. Actually, the complete Korean word for puberty is sachungi, which is the same as number four (sa). This is why the group’s name is shortened to BOL4.
Rise to Fame: For a new group from an unknown company, their debut EP peaked at number 30 in the charts, which isn’t bad at all. However, it was their second single “Galaxy” that propelled them to instant success, as it sold over 2.7 million copies and their first studio album where “Galaxy” is a part of peaking at #15 and selling more than 25,000 copies.
The duo quickly shot to fame and released five successive singles that sold more than 2.5 million copies. With singles such as “Hard to Love“, “Tell Me You Love Me“, “Some“, and “To My Youth“, they immediately earned the reputation as “digimons” – digital monsters who sell singles by the millions, an elite circle occupied by artists such as Zico, IU, Heize, Lee Hi, and one of our duos earlier, AKMU.
“Some”, “Travel“, “Bom“, and “Workaholic” eventually topped the Gaon Digital Charts, and there seemed to be no stopping the duo from achieving continuous success despite a number of odds, including stiff competition, the small company, and persistent rumors of a breakup because of alleged unequal treatment between Jiyoung and Jiyoon. Those rumors were constantly denied by the girls and their agency, much to the relief of the fans.
That was, until April 2020.
After an entire career filled with speculations on the real relationship between the two, Shofar Music announced the one piece of news every BOL4 follower has dreaded – Jiyoon is leaving the duo. The month after, Jiyoung released an EP Puberty Book II, with the lead single Leo featuring EXO’s Baekhyun. Jiyoon later resurfaced in the music scene as soloist ODD CHILD and with a new song entitled “DODO“, which listeners have observed sounded like a direct hit at her former partner.
[Behind]
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2019 BOL4 Tour Concert ‘Two Five’ in Gwangju
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지난 주 크리스마스 한정판(!!)무대로
많은 러볼리의 부러움을 샀던 광주🎄🎁
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어느덧 전국투어의 마지막!
마지막까지 많은 사랑과 응원 부탁드려요💓💓
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📷더 많은 사진은 공식카페에서 확인~!
⠀#BOL4_TOUR#TwoFive#Gwangjupic.twitter.com/IqvjTI2n1X
In August, she issued a lengthy statement on Instagram, claiming that she actually wanted to end her stay with BOL4 properly, like in a concert. However, she was informed that Jiyoung wanted to kick her out of the duo as soon as possible, so she left the group sooner. She also claimed that she wrote the song years ago, so it hurt her that people would think that she was only taking shots at Jiyoung.
Must-listens: The entire BOL4 discography is healing and just a pleasure to listen to, but if you need to choose only three songs, that would be “Some“, “Travel“, and “To My Youth” (which unfortunately doesn’t have a music video).
So, there you have it – three K-pop duos. If you want more, there’s MeloMance and Fly to the Sky. Be sure to have a listen to our recommended tracks so you can appreciate these duos more.
Red Velvet serving Kpop halloween costumes from their Peek-A-Boo music video. Photo: SMTOWN/YouTube
Boo!
If you are looking for Kpop Halloween costumes or songs for your Kpop Halloween playlist for your party, then you’re in the right place. Let’s get into the spirit of things by watching these music videos inspired by the creepiest holiday of the year!
Chilling K-pop music videos for Halloween
Voodoo Doll, VIXX
What even is a list of dark and creepy K-pop music videos without VIXX? Of course, the concept kings must be in this list. The group has an uncanny ability to pull off wildly different concepts—ranging from ethereal to unusual to gruesome—that are not commonly seen in K-pop. In Voodoo Doll, the members are trapped by a woman (maybe a jilted lover?) hell-bent on exacting revenge by using a voodoo doll. The video also cuts into close-up shots of bloody body modification and the female character’s enjoyment in doling out the painful punishment, illustrating her character’s sadistic streak.
Watch the music video in all its haunting glory below (trigger warning: blood, gore):
Boy Meets Evil, BTS
Intense and soulful are the perfect words to describe this trailer video for BTS’s Boy Meets Evil, from the Wings album. RM opens the video by narrating an excerpt from Demian by Hermann Hesse: “My sin was not specifically this or that but consisted of having shaken hands with the devil. The devil held me in his clutches; the enemy was behind me.”
Then, J-Hope appears to perform a routine that was equal parts grim and emotional. The video, lyrics, and choreography give off that feeling that something sinister is lurking unseen. It reminds you that sometimes, the scariest, most unsettling things lie deep inside your own mind.
Watch J-Hope’s emotive performance in the video below:
Chase Me, Dreamcatcher
The dark concept isn’t normally seen in girl group music videos, but Dreamcatcher has made it a point to fully embrace the eerie in their MVs. In Chase Me, a ghost hunter spends the night at a hotel, in an attempt to capture any paranormal activity. The Dreamcatcher members are the spirits that haunt the man at every turn.
Watch their music video for Catch Me below:
Witch, Boyfriend
In the music video, the members are vampires who face off with a female vigilante killer in a red cape—who turned out to be their friend. Their discovery of this betrayal leads to a rooftop battle with the vigilante, a fight which the Boyfriend members lose.
The group also did a darker reinterpretation of Alice in Wonderland with their music video for Bounce. Unfortunately, the group disbanded in 2019. But their music videos, including Witch, are still up on YouTube. Watch it below:
Peek-a-Boo, Red Velvet
Red Velvet is no stranger to creepy yet captivating music videos, and Peek-a-Boo fits perfectly into this category. In the music video, the girls—who turn out to be a murderous bunch obsessed with pizza delivery boys—play various games with an unsuspecting pizza guy. By the time he catches on with the girls’ plan, it’s too late to escape.
Check out their music video, AKA a warning to all pizza delivery guys everywhere:
Don’t Hate Me, Epik High
K-hip-hop legends Epik High did their own spin on the Halloween theme in their music video for Don’t Hate Me. In the music video, Tablo, DJ Tukutz, and Mithra Jin slog through a dreary supermarket shift when kids dressed as movie villains and Halloween characters invade their workplace and trash the whole place. While the video featured kids in spooky costumes and causing mayhem, the song lyrics actually address the group’s fans and anti-fans.
Watch the high-energy music video below:
Full Moon, Sunmi
In Full Moon, Sunmi is a sultry vampire who turns her love interest with a bite and waits for him to transform. The man convulses, seemingly in pain as a result of the bite. As the music video progresses, we see flashbacks from the man’s younger years—he looks at Sunmi walking across a rooftop while he was stuck in a wheelchair. At the end of the video, we see the man completing his transformation into a vampire.
Watch the music video below:
TT, Twice
TT, with its sweet and cheery sound, doesn’t seem to fit the Halloween theme. But in the music video, little trick-or-treaters go somewhere they shouldn’t be and encounter the Twice members who are decked out in costumes. Admittedly, the video is more cute and charming than dark and creepy, but at least you can get Halloween outfit ideas for when the world opens up again!
The girls’ debut song, Ooh Ahh, also put a dash of cute on the Halloween theme, with its zombie apocalypse setting.
Be charmed by Twice in the TT music video below:
Thriller, BTOB
Cemeteries and catacombs automatically give people the creeps, and BTOB ups the scare factor by using these as the setting for their Thriller music video. In the first few seconds of the video, the members appear to rise from their graves as zombies. Their glowing eyes combined with their choreography added to the feel that the BTOB guys are out to take over for the night.
Check out the video below:
Shadow, Highlight (Beast)
Ruined buildings, torch-lit hallways, skulls, creepy crawlies, and people with skeleton body paint all contribute to the gothic atmosphere of the Shadow music video. The group released this track in 2013, back when they were known as Beast. In addition to the dark imagery, the video used light and shadow, as well as a mirroring effect, to evoke the feeling of being taken over by the darkness.
Watch the music video below:
Of course, there are more K-pop videos that use dark imagery—plus, there’s a whole range of other concepts that will simply blow you away! We’ve written about amazing Kpop boy group concepts and top-tier Kpop girl group concepts—make sure to check them out!
Which dark, creepy, or Halloween-inspired music video is your favorite?
Happy Kpop Halloween!
Featured image: Red Velvet serving Kpop halloween costumes from their Peek-A-Boo music video. Photo: SMTOWN/YouTube
Still from behind the scenes of Squid Game. Picture credit: Screengrab from Netflix
As of the moment, it seems that the world has gotten addicted to the Korean Netflix show Squid Game. Not that anyone’s complaining though, because the show is really something. Plagiarism claims aside, the show manages to captivate everyone’s attention, not just those who have gotten bitten by the K-drama bug. And that’s good since the show’s universal appeal means that nobody can argue that its popularity only stems from K-drama fans crazily streaming the show non-stop.
A still from the shoot of Squid Game. Picture credit: Screengrab from Netflix Youtube
Netflix has actually not just shown a lot of K-dramas, but has actually broken through the Korean market in 2013 by being the sole distributor of Kingdom, a show produced by Korean production company AStory, but was solely shown on the streaming platform and not on any Korean TV channel, free-to-air or cable. It then struck a deal with producers NEW (Next Entertainment World) and JTBC to release the Lee Jungjae-headlined Chief of Staff on the same day as its premiere on the cable channel. Since then, Netflix has not only distributed K-dramas and movies but has also dabbled into producing content that would make up the company’s Korean-language original programming.
#SquidGame creator Hwang Dong-hyuk hints at a Season 3:
“I’m in talks with Netflix over season two as well as season three. We will come to a conclusion any time soon.”
But even with the original content they produced, it always felt like Netflix’s Korean original programs catered to a niche audience. True, a good number of the shows they produced and distributed had become famous even internationally, but as mentioned earlier, most of them, even Kingdom, were still confined to an audience with an affinity for Korean-language content.
So, even if there are a lot of people overseas who have watched Kingdom, it was assumed that these viewers were Korean-Americans or those who have already liked Korean dramas in the past. It seemed that the audience the show connected with continued to be limited to Korean drama fans, unlike other foreign Netflix shows like Lupin, Elite, and Money Heist, which have amassed huge followings from countries that aren’t French or Spanish speaking, plus haven’t had any particular loyalty to French or Spanish language content.
That is until Squid Game came along.
The website FlixPatrol, which analyzes streaming figures on the world’s leading online streaming platform, claims that Squid Game topped global charts on Friday, September 27, only a week since its release on September 17. It has since then kept the top position. As of press time,it still holds the top position, keeping other Netflix shows such as Sex Education, Maid, and Lucifer at bay. The fact that it has dislodged English-language shows on top of the charts and is keeping its #1 placement even in countries with very particular audiences such as the USA shows that it has really won over a huge audience, especially those that are not particularly fond of content not in English.
In fact, the show has now gone down #2 in markets that are known to consume a lot of Korean language content such as Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines because of the weekly episodes of the Kim Seonho drama Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha (which coincidentally also has Shin Mina, who was also part of the aforementioned Chief of Staff), while maintaining the top position in other countries that are not that keen on following the shows of Hallyu stars.
So, what is it exactly about Squid Game that has audiences from all corners of the planet wanting more? Everyone, from armchair TV critics to cultural researchers, has had their opinions amplified on mainstream and social media, and it seems to boil down to three factors:
The storytelling is unique yet universal.
A lot of concepts of the show’s story may be distinctly Korean but they are exactly the same elements that hit foreign audiences hard in their feels. For one, Squid Game is about people who are psychologically and financially desperate – something so many of us can definitely identify with since the start of the pandemic, with job losses and mental health struggles abound.
Finally finished Squid Game last night.
As a Korean-American, I’m proud that such a popular, well-made (albeit at times disturbing) show is from Korea and became an international success.
While it may not be true that the rest of us outside Korea get hounded by gangsters working for loan sharks when we run away from paying our debt (though according to Koreans themselves, that actually happens, but is not an everyday occurrence), we can relate to the desperation Gihun (Lee Jungjae) and the other 455 players feel when they are willing to risk life and limb to take home some serious money. We can relate to how Gihun’s feelings toward childhood friend Sangwoo (Park Haesoo) turned from idolization to disappointment after the former realized throughout the game how morally iffy some of his hometown hero’s decisions were.
Finally, we can all relate to the sense of nostalgia playing those childhood games brought to the participants, particularly to mastermind player 001 Ilnam (Oh Yeongsu). Although we have resumed a lot of our activities, we have to admit that things have not been the same as they used to be, so it is inevitable that we long to remember simpler and more comfortable times when we did things such as playing just for the fun of it and not because there are consequences to our every move.
The show tapped into people’s psyche.
Speaking of relatability, the show works not only because we can relate to the plight of Gihun and the 454 other players in terms of their desperation and police officer Junho’s (played by Wi Hajoon) urgent attempt to fight his brother, but we can also relate to the foreign VIPs, The Front Man (played by Lee Byunghun) and beloved old man with a twist Ilnam.
Wait, what? Are you saying we have things in common with the game’s disconnected spectators?
Of course, as the audience, we occupy a similar position to the VIPs as spectators of the game, as we satisfy our base instincts of voyeurism in finding out who survives in the rounds and who ultimately wins. It’s like an unfortunate accident happening right before your eyes that you’re telling yourself to look away, but you simply cannot.
Rarely has high-stakes tension looked so delicious – THR’s TV critics pick the honeycomb in #SquidGame as the best supporting snack of 2021
Allowing us to sympathize with the players and yet having a safe distance from them as we watch their activities from the comforts of home has given the show’s producers a perfect formula on how it can get us audiences hooked to the social message of the story while not making us too uncomfortable.
With Squid Game, while we sympathize with the characters, the line between them and us is very clear, as they are the ones playing the games. We have the option to sympathize with them and at the same time be guiltless spectators just like the VIPs. After all, the VIPs are only spectators just like us; they are not the ones running the game – the workers in pink jumpsuits are actually the ones rolling out the games and dealing with all the dirty work.
In horror movies, even those set in a game theme like Battle Royale or the Saw series, there are no spectators, so we cannot help but actually have 100% of our sympathies to the players. And it is only later when the games are through when we start to really consider if we could carve the perfect shape out of the honeycomb cookies or if we can distinguish which glass can hold human weight and which will break. In Squid Game, we are constantly reminded that we can also be detached spectators just like the VIPs. Squid Game is escapist entertainment masterfully done.
The production values are off the charts.
It cannot be denied that the production of Squid Game is just fantastic. From the secluded island where the players were confined to the playground where they played the first couple of games, the sleeping quarters that looked like a storage facility, there was nothing that was spared to make the series believable and exciting. What’s great about the sets they used for the show is that there were some easter eggs hidden in them that keen-eyed viewers may have noticed while watching the episodes.
The fact that most of us have seen something like Squid Games’ premise in Hunger Games and Battle Royale has not deterred us from watching the show because the scenes have been filmed in such an attention-grabbing manner.
For example, while the sequence of games was told in advance to the Doctor (Yoo Sungjoo) the evening before the game as they helped them harvest organs of the players who were killed, there were actually murals on the walls of the players’ sleeping quarters that show the major points of the games. So, players who were more aware of their surroundings should have noticed that. But then, since they were constantly tired and paranoid of their fellow players who may attack them when the lights go out, they may not have the energy to be that sharp.
For most of the past year, we have been confined to our movements and activities, so watching shows and movies from other countries may give us some sort of comfort and pleasure that we can experience the cultures, places, and ways of living of people far away from us. We may be awed at how we have actually a lot of things more in common with people from other countries, but since they have different customs and environments, there are also interesting twists and differences that we should look out for. So for now, we just need to enjoy the show while learning some lessons from it.
MAMAMOO's mumumumuch official music video. Photo: MAMAMOO/YouTube.
Mamamoo is known for their vocal prowess and their jazzy, retro-infused sound not commonly found in the K-pop scene. Since they debuted in 2014, the quartet continuously released hits that ranged from energetic to theatrical to soulful.
In the seven years since their debut, Mamamoo has firmly established themselves among K-pop’s vocal powerhouses. And when singer-rapper Hwasa sings “I’m ready for some action / Are you ready for perfection” in her deep and sultry voice for Piano Man, you know she’s just spitting out truth bombs about their music, which makes their latest release even more exciting for Moomoos.
On September 15, the ladies dropped their first compilation album, I Say Mamamoo: The Best. This is the group’s first album after Wheein left RBW Entertainment and signed on with TheL1VE. The 23-song album features remixed and re-recorded versions of their hit songs and popular B-sides. It also includes two new tracks: lead single mumumumuch and Happier Than Ever.
I’ve always enjoyed Mamamoo’s music, and for the most part, I was pleasantly surprised by this album. The lead single, mumumumuch, is a light disco track that makes for easy listening and has echoes of their signature sound. To be honest, I was expecting their title track to have that hard-hitting, let’s-bring-the-house-down energy that makes full use of their formidable pipes. But my personal thoughts aside, I can say it’s still a good song.
The ladies promised a fresh spin on their most popular songs, and they delivered. Their re-recorded version of Piano Manturned up the sensuality, while Decalcomanie, Mr. Ambiguous and You’re the Best ramped up the jazzy, big band sound that’s rare in K-pop. Even their 2021 versions of A Little Bit, Wind Flower, and Words Don’t Come Easy sounded clearer, fresher, and had more depth.
Hip, Mamamoo’s clapback for their haters, gets an even more energetic re-do in the remix version, while Gogobebe’s tropical sound gets a rock-infused makeover. My personal favorites, though, would have to be the orchestra versions of Starry Night and Paint Me. The originals already showcased the foursome’s vocals, but the use of strings and the piano gave the rearranged tracks added drama and intensity.
Overall, the album showcases the group’s versatility, reminding everyone that Mamamoo can own every genre they try and must not disband. This album is an excellent introduction to those who are just discovering them, and a beautiful present for the group’s loyal fanbase.
Mamamoo’s discography is timeless, and this compilation album proves that their songs will stay on Moomoos’ and casual fans’ playlists—mine included—for a long time.
Featured image: MAMAMOO’s mumumumuch official music video. Photo: MAMAMOO/YouTube.
The "Lovesick Girls" of BLACKPINK. Photo: BLACKPINKOFFICIAL/Twitter
BLACKPINK has been together for more than five years and the bond between the girls is truly strong. But what was it like meeting the members for the first time? Lisa shares her first impressions of Jennie, Jisoo, and Rosé when they met as YG Entertainment trainees.
Lisa is currently promoting her solo single Lalisa, and she loves talking about their group during interviews. In a conversation with Rolling Stone, the girl group’s maknae opened up about her first impressions of her fellow BLACKPINK members.
But who was the first fellow trainee that Lisa met? The BLACKPINK main rapper revealed that it was Jennie. “I met Jennie first, and then after that, I met Jisoo and Rosé,” Lisa said.
That first meeting easily left a lasting impression on the young Lalisa Manobal. The Thai rapper stated that she remembered Jennie right away because of the way the future BLACKPINK member greeted her.
“I remember Jennie, she was the only one who like, said hi to me in English because other people can’t talk in English,” Lisa said before adding, “We were super close.”
Speaking of lasting impressions, meeting Jisoo was also very memorable for Lisa. The youngest member of BLACKPINK revealed that Kim Jisoo had a favorite hoodie that became her personal uniform during rehearsals.
“Jisoo unnie I remember that when I first saw her she wore like a red hoodie. She always wore that. Seriously, every day she wore that to practice,” Lisa shared.
We can’t really blame Jisoo for sticking to her most comfortable clothes when it’s time for practice. After all, rehearsals can be grueling and you want to wear something comfortable during those long hours.
But what did Lisa think when she met Rosé? The On The Ground singer was clearly an impressive person to Lisa because of how she walked into the room.
“For Rosé, she had a guitar with her,” Lisa said before admitting she was fascinated with the fact that Roseanne Park was also a foreigner who happened to be her age.
“I remember and I was like, ‘Wow, she’s from Australia.’ She’s the same age as me, which was really cool to have a new friend come in,” Lisa said.
There is little doubt that all of the members of BLACKPINK were already impressive when they were just trainees. The friendship and bond between Jisoo, Jennie, Rosé, and Lisa is proof that first impressions last and an important aspect of the girl group’s success.
A BLACKPINK comeback?
But when can we expect to see BLACKPINK as a group again? Lisa is still focusing on her solo outing and the other members are also working on their own projects. Although it might take some time, BLINKs will always be ready for the idol group’s return in the future.
Coldplay x BTS's My Universe official lyric video. Photo: Coldplay/YouTube
The song starts upbeat, reminiscent of early Coldplay when frontman Chris Martin was around the same age as BTS. It was more gaining-awareness-of-the-world Parachutes than a had-everything-in-the-world-but-did-not-know-what-to-do-with-it confused Mylo Xyloto. Think their Til Kingdom Come from X&Y remixed with BTS’s Mikrokosmos (which has always been an emotional ending stage, be it for their Map of the Soul tour in Seoul or BTS Festa 2021).
The buildup of My Universe is hyped yet soft and steady 20 seconds in—a clear feisty claim that sets the tone of the collab of the century: You are my universe.
It then cuts to the intro after “and I,” just as how our minds pause when we are consumed by strong feelings (such as love that moves people beyond boundaries and makes us see things exclusive to us and our beloved). It praises the poignancy of everyday things and the surreal, as Jungkook eloquently sang in Korean.
매일 밤 네게 날아가 (가)
꿈이란 것도 잊은 채
나 웃으며 너를 만나 (나)
I fly away with you; When I’m without you, I’m crazy. Please hold my hand.
Matched with its upbeat tune that hits the right spots, My Universe touches on this ode of love that trespasses hardships—and what can be harder than love that cannot be together—and leaves it as that.
And they said that we can’t be together.
No fixing. Just a quiet understanding that such is a special bond that transcends all barriers. At the same time knowing that when—as Kim Taehyung sings—darkness used to be more comfortable, someone gets the audacity to make our world light up inside.
Suga and J-Hope rapped it the best:
What brightens me up
Are the stars embroidered with your love
In my universe, you
Make another world for me
Because you are my stars and my universe
These hardships are just temporary
Just shine as bright as you shine now
We will follow you to adorn this long night
My Universe then ends in total technicolor surrender, as we do in real life. At the end of the day, when the world can’t help but be pitch-black, we somehow default to the safe space that is love. After all, how can we be alone when we are made of each other?
Coldplay x BTS’s My Universe is now available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music, and on CDs that got sold out within minutes on Weverse. Following its much-awaited release on September 24, 2021, we can now also hear a My Universe – Acoustic Version and an acquired taste My Universe – Supernova 7 mix. The My Universe official music video drops midnight ET, September 30, 2021.
BTS’s rap line—J-Hope, RM, and Suga—are credited as songwriters for My Universe, along with Chris Martin and the Max Martin. (He is partially responsible for numerous iconic 90s pop culture songs, including ones performed by Backstreet Boys, *NSYNC, and Britney Spears; and more recent languishings such as Ari’s Thank U, Next album; Ed Sheeran’s “and you’re making me feel like I’m loved by somebody” I Don’t Care; and even TayTay’s “you look like my next mistake” Blank Space.)
Featured image: Coldplay x BTS’s My Universe official lyric video. Photo: Coldplay/YouTube
Blackpink's Jennie Kim after the Spring-Summer 2021 Ready-to-Wear Show — CHANEL. Photo: Chanel/YouTube
The Hallyu wave isn’t just limited to K-pop and K-dramas anymore. K-pop has gained massive popularity and grown its influence in the last few years, and many are standing up to take notice—including the fashion industry.
Today, K-pop acts are dominating the global music scene—from BTS to Blackpink, EXO to Twice, and more—breaking records and capturing the hearts of fans everywhere. Not only are these extremely talented and gorgeous artists crushing records and topping music charts; they’re also smashing the proverbial glass ceiling of beauty and fashion.
K-pop idols making waves in the global fashion industry
K-pop stars are now among the world’s biggest influencers. Their huge fanbases and social media following has helped brands reach a wider, more diverse audience and boost the sales of luxury goods.
For example, the four members of Blackpink alone have a combined 205 million followers across their individual Instagram accounts as of September 21, 2021. Lisa has 60.1 million followers, followed by Jennie with 51.7 million, Rosé with 46.7 million, and Jisoo with 46.5 million.
The Kai x Gucci capsule collection sold out quick after its launch earlier this year. And BTS’ Louis Vuitton outfits ran out of stock almost immediately after their most recent airport photos came out online, proving that idols’ popularity and global reach do wonders for brands and the industry as a whole.
Rolling out the red carpet for K-pop’s biggest stars
Bigbang’s G-Dragon, one of K-pop’s original fashionistas, paved the way for idols to discover and explore their own styles. The K-pop legend has always been a style icon in South Korea, with his bold, brave, and experimental take on fashion. But his appearance at the Chanel show at Paris Fashion Week in 2015 and his appointment as a brand ambassador for Chanel cemented his spot among the upper echelons in the world of haute couture.
Since then, Korean celebrities, especially idols, have become ambassadors for various luxury brands. They have also started to grace runways and red carpets. Two years ago, Winner’s Mino walked the Louis Vuitton Spring/Summer 2020 show. And just this September, the Baddest Female CL and Blackpink’s main vocalist Rosé made a splash on their MET Gala debut.
14 K-pop idols and groups that are the face of luxury brands
The fashion world has, indeed, embraced K-pop stars wholeheartedly. Here are some of the global fashion and beauty houses that have tapped our favorite idols to be their brand ambassadors:
BTS for Louis Vuitton
Global superstars BTS became the Louis Vuitton house ambassadors in April this year. All seven members made their debut as models in a stark, futuristic fashion film that also showcased their individual styles.
Watch their Louis Vuitton Men’s Fall/Winter 2021 fashion film below:
EXO Kai for Gucci and Bobbi Brown
EXO’s Kai first made his presence known when he attended Gucci shows as one of the fashion house’s brand ambassadors. In 2019, he was appointed as the first Korean male global ambassador for Gucci Eyewear. Just two years later, Kai would release his very own capsule collection with the brand. Kai also represents cosmetics brand Bobbi Brown as its first male muse.
Kai was also recently named the global ambassador for the 2022 S/S Seoul Fashion Week, to be held online from October 7 to 15, 2021.
IU for Gucci
IU is one of the most sought-after celebrities in South Korea, and Gucci has fallen for her charms. Just like Kai, IU is also a Gucci ambassador. She signed on with the brand in February last year.
IU most recently starred in the brand’s Beloved campaign.
Bigbang G-Dragon for Chanel
Bigbang’s leader has been loved by Chanel for years; he’s been a house ambassador since 2017. His style continues to inspire everyone, from fellow idols to VIPs around the world.
Watch G-Dragon with his fellow house ambassadors in the teaser video for the Chanel Fall/Winter 2021/22 Ready-to-Wear virtual show:
Plus, the rapper talks about the one piece he would love to get for himself from the Chanel Spring/Summer 2021 Ready-to-Wear show in the video below:
Blackpink Jennie for Chanel and Calvin Klein
Blinks have affectionately dubbed Jennie as the “Human Chanel”—and it’s easy to see why. She has been a house ambassador for the brand since 2018, and the brand’s classic, feminine style perfectly matches the idol’s image.
Listen to Jennie as she shares her thoughts on Chanel’s Spring/Summer 2021 Ready-to-Wear show:
More recently, the star made a stunning debut in the Calvin Klein Fall 2021 campaign.
EXO Chanyeol and Red Velvet Irene for Prada
SM labelmates Chanyeol and Irene were both appointed as brand ambassadors for Prada in 2020. Both idols showed off their stunning visuals while decked out in the house’s designs.
Hyuna for Loewe
Hyuna’s sexy, daring, and charismatic style has not escaped the attention of Spanish fashion house Loewe. The brand introduced the “I’m Not Cool” singer as their newest global ambassador in July.
EXO Sehun and Blackpink Jisoo for Dior
Dior appointed Blackpink’s Jisoo as its global ambassador for fashion and beauty earlier this year. Watch Jisoo try out the latest pieces from the brand’s Cruise 2022 collection before settling in to watch the virtual show in the video below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QgLDiA-0UM
And, EXO’s Sehun shows off his stunning visuals as the face of Dior Men.
Watch Sehun sporting Dior Men’s Fall 2021 collection in this video for GQ Korea:
Blackpink Rosé for Saint Laurent and Tiffany & Co
Rosé has been Saint Laurent’s muse since 2020. In one of her first shoots with the brand, she modeled key pieces from the Fall/Winter 2020 collection. Watch the chic clip below:
The “On the Ground” singer also became a brand ambassador for jewelry brand Tiffany & Co this year.
Blackpink Lisa for Celine and MAC
Blackpink’s main dancer and rapper Lisa was appointed as Celine’s first official brand ambassador in 2020. The idol is often seen and photographed looking her Parisian chic best, decked in head-to-toe Celine.
The Thai superstar is also the face of MAC Cosmetics. Watch Lisa as she shows her MAC must-haves in the video below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IA2p8GYBNhU
Red Velvet Seulgi for Salvatore Ferragamo
Red Velvet’s main dancer Seulgi is loved by fans, not only in South Korea but all over the world. But this multi-talented idol is also loved by Italian fashion brand Salvatore Ferragamo! Seulgi’s unique personal style, passion, and creativity led the brand to tap the star as their new global ambassador.
Aespa for Givenchy
Rookie group Aespa, with their breathtaking visuals and unique avatar concept, has caught the attention of French luxury brand Givenchy. In February 2021, the brand announced Aespa as their newest global ambassador.
The K-pop and haute couture crossover isn’t just a passing fancy. As idols continue to gain popularity in and out of South Korea, global luxury brands and K-pop stars will continue to make beautiful music together for a long time.
Featured image: Blackpink’s Jennie Kim after the Spring-Summer 2021 Ready-to-Wear Show — CHANEL. Photo: CHANEL/YouTube
SNSD Yoona's personal YouTube channel, So Wonderful Day. Photo: Yoona's So Wonderful Day | 임윤아 오피셜/YouTube
South Koreans love YouTube—so much so that they spend an estimated 25 hours and 40 minutes on the platform every month. In recent years, the number of YouTube creators—from home-based business owners promoting their products to cat owners uploading their pets’ adorable antics to mukbang stars hosting live broadcasts—increased exponentially, giving audiences in Korea and around the world endless content to dive into.
Even idols are quick to set up their own channels as a way to showcase their interests and express themselves. These days, we’ve got idols uploading song covers, vlogs, cooking tutorials, Q&A sessions, and more!
Previously, we’ve featured the male idols who are showing off their charms in their respective YouTube channels. Now, it’s time to take a look at female idols with YouTube channels that are worth watching!
GIRLS’ GENERATION
Taeyeon
In Taengoo TV, Taeyeon has uploaded a mix of vlogs featuring her travels, concert rehearsals, and random moments in her daily life. It’s been two years since her last video, but SONEs everywhere are looking forward to the day Taengoo TV becomes active again!
Watch Taeyeon run errands for her mom:
Yoona
Yoona’s So Wonderful Day is just the ray of sunshine you need when you’re feeling down. In her channel, Yoona shares snippets of her wonderful days on and off work.
Learn how to bake lemon cake with Yoona below:
Sooyoung
Sooyoung shows off her quirky personality and tells stories through her vlogs in her aptly-titled YouTube channel The Sootory. In her channel, she documents her travels, food trips, conversations with fellow idols, and more.
Watch Sooyoung celebrate Girls’ Generation’s 14th anniversary by baking a cake:
Yuri
It seems the members of Girls’ Generation really love to cook! Yuri’s channel, Yurihan TV, features the idol’s kitchen adventures. She also uploads exercise vlogs, as well as behind-the-scenes footage from her dramas and photo shoots.
Check out her latest video, where she cooks and shares a meal with fellow member Yoona:
BLACKPINK
Jennie
Blackpink’s Jennie celebrated her birthday in January this year by launching her own YouTube channel, Jennierubyjane Official! In her intro video, the star says that she opened her channel to give Blinks everywhere a glimpse of her daily life. She even included a cover performance of Mandy Moore’s “When Will My Life Begin” from Tangled!
Rosé
Like fellow member Jennie, Rosé just opened her own channel, ROSÉ Official, earlier this year. Her first video is an interview film where she shares stories from her childhood up until her preparations for her solo debut.
Lisa
Want to see more of Lisa’s show-stopping dance moves? Head over to her Lilifilm Official channel! Aside from her performance videos, Lisa also uploads vlogs from Blackpink’s concert tours and her travels.
Mamamoo’s leader Solar shows off her bright, cheerful personality in Solarsido. In her channel, she shares how she spends her weekends, takes on various challenges, and goes on mukbang battles. She also uploads quick exercise routines that Moomoos can follow!
Follow her Solar Fit 10-minute hip workout below:
OH MY GIRL
Hyojung
There’s something about idols cooking and eating that makes it interesting to watch—and Oh My Girl’s Hyojung does not disappoint in her Jjungi eonnichannel. Her videos are pretty chill, even when she holds eating broadcasts! Fair warning: do not watch while hungry!
GIRL’S DAY
Hyeri
Girl’s Day Hyeri has also jumped onto the YouTube train! Her channel, I am Lee Hyeri, has a wide variety of content that fans can watch. Watch her fun and healing solo trip to Jeju Island below:
APINK
Bomi
Bomi’s Bbom Bbom Bbom channel is a mixed bag of treats that can keep fans entertained for hours on end. The Apink member uploads vlogs of her daily life, travels, mukbang, and snippets of her broadcast activities. She also does beauty tutorials and game and product reviews. Watch Bomi drive away the heat with her cold noodle mukbang:
AKMU
Suhyun
Lee Suhyun from the sibling duo AKMU is not just a soulful singer; she is also a well-known beauty YouTuber! Her channel features beauty product reviews and makeup tutorials.
Suhyun announced on her channel that she would be taking a break from YouTube to recharge. Fans don’t need to worry, though because she has promised to return to creating content—so do not press unsubscribe! In the meantime, catch up on her videos, such as her holiday makeup video with LeeHi:
DARA
Dara TV is just as colorful and quirky as Dara herself! In her channel, she uploads everything from song and dance covers, to local and international trips, and even the secrets to her ageless beauty!
It’s been a while since her last upload, but now that Dara has joined a new agency, fans are hoping she will be back soon for more entertaining content! In the meantime, watch her hunt down her birthday ads on the subway in the vlog below:
IU
Check out IU’s official YouTube channel if you want to know more about what the soloist does off-stage. In her channel, IU posts behind-the-scenes clips of her in concerts, album recordings, and fan meets. She also uploads interviews with other celebrities in her own web talk show, IU’s Palette.
Watch IU sit down for a chat with ITZY below:
HYUNA
Here’s something not commonly seen among idols’ YouTube channels: idol couple videos! In HyunA’s official YouTube channel, the idol posts her vlogs with her boyfriend of six years, Dawn.
The couple recently released a new song together. Watch their behind-the-scenes album photo shoot:
There’s something for every fan on our list, so make sure to check out these ladies’ channels! We know there are more female idols who have their own channels—but we’ll never get to the end of this article if we include them all (so maybe we’ll do a part two!). Which female idol YouTuber do you like most?
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