Since 2017, K-Pop has been noticed by the global media, but the history of the genre began back in the 90s. That was when the first K-Pop generation was ushered in, which forms the foundation for all the generations that followed. Would you like to know more about it? Then let's take a look at this era together!
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When did the 1st generation begin and end?
- What defines the 1st generation?
- Which bands belong to the 1st generation?
You can find a short overview of all the generations so far here.
When did the 1st generation begin and end?
The boy group H.O.T, who debuted in 1996, is generally regarded as the first K-Pop idol group and is therefore considered the trigger of the 1st generation. According to this, it began in 1996.
On the other hand, 1992 can also be seen as the starting point, because that was the year the three-member boy band “Seo Taiji and Boys” debuted, who revolutionized Korean music and laid the foundation for K-Pop as we know it today.
You'll find out more about the two groups in a moment!
The generation ended in 2003, because in December, with the debut of the boy group TVXQ, the 2nd generation began.
What defines the 1st generation?
Of course, what makes the first generation special is that it founded and developed the K-Pop genre in the first place. During this time, the first boy groups and girl groups were born, and a “formula” for idol groups emerged that is still used today.
In addition, the generation was strongly shaped by the various entertainment companies, especially the Big 3. They helped develop the genre and dominated the K-Pop scene back then, today and certainly in the future as well.
Would you like to dive a little deeper into these different aspects with us? We have summarized the most interesting details here for you:
The origins of K-Pop
In 1992, a three-member boy band called “Seo Taiji and Boys” debuted, which included Yang Hyunsuk, the founder of YG Entertainment, among others. Even the debut song “Nan Arayo” stood out, as it was one of the first Korean rap songs.
The band was inspired by hip-hop and Western music. They not only added rap to their songs, but also worked English terms or entire English lines into their lyrics. They accompanied the new music with hip-hop choreographies that contained lots of synchronized moves. That was how K-Pop was born, as subsequent artists developed it further. The band also inspired other musicians of the K-Pop scene to experiment more with their music and their style.
Although the trio disbanded in 1996, they are still a legend today. The band not only revolutionized Korean music, but also celebrated some great successes. Their debut album alone sold over 1.5 million copies and is therefore still one of the best-selling albums in South Korea today! Two of their albums also broke the two million mark. Although newer K-Pop groups have a much larger reach, only a few of them - BTS, Black Pink, NCT and Seventeen - have also managed to sell two million copies of an album.
Inspired by Seo Taiji and Boys, the very first K-Pop boy group H.O.T debuted in 1996.
The five-member group was produced by SM Entertainment and is considered the first idol group because it follows a pattern that K-Pop idol groups are still known for today: like their predecessors Seo Taiji and Boys, H.O.T combined the new music style with choreographed and rehearsed dances that stand out for their many synchronized moves. However, H.O.T was no longer as strongly influenced by hip-hop, but relied on catchy melodies. In addition, SM Entertainment also put a focus on good looks when choosing the members. The complete formula is: choreographed and synchronized dances + catchy music + coordinated outfits + good looks
H.O.T officially disbanded in 2001. In their five years together, the boy group had sold over 6.4 million albums in South Korea. Their very first album “We Hate All Kinds of Violence” sold over 1.5 million copies and thus proved very early on that idol groups had a great future in South Korea! In 1997, several new idol groups took the stage all at once and conquered the K-Pop scene!
The very first K-Pop girl group
After the success of H.O.T, it of course didn't take long until the first K-Pop girl groups emerged as well. If we ask the internet who the first K-Pop girl group was, the first answer is S.E.S. The three-member girl group was produced by SM Entertainment, just like H.O.T, and debuted in November 1997. At first, they were seen as the female counterpart to H.O.T.
In fact, though, two other girl groups had already debuted before S.E.S: Baby V.O.X (July 1997) and Diva (August 1997). Both were very successful: Baby V.O.X, for example, also had great success in China and helped spread K-Pop there. However, neither group matched the success of S.E.S or Fin.K.L. Fin.K.L debuted in 1998 and was considered a rival of S.E.S.
Perhaps it is due to their higher popularity that S.E.S is mentioned first when it comes to first-generation girl groups.
The influence of the Big 3
Just like today, K-Pop groups were already put together and produced by entertainment companies in the first generation. New systems, innovative concepts and musical experiments are therefore more attributable to the entertainment companies behind the artists. So they were the ones who developed the genre and made it what it is today.
The entertainment companies that already existed back then and are still active today include SM Entertainment, JYP Entertainment, YG Entertainment, SidusHQ (which manages g.o.d, among others), DR Music (Blackswan) and DSP Media (Kard).
SM, YG and JYP are, as you may know, referred to today as the “Big 3” because they have continuously produced hits since the first generation. JYP, for example, conquered all of Asia with the singer Rain, and YG was founded by one of the founders of K-Pop himself - Yang Hyunsuk of “Seo Taiji and Boys” - and was able to score some successes in the first generation with the singer Seven.
SM Entertainment in particular dominated the first generation with several extremely successful idols such as H.O.T, S.E.S, Shinhwa and BoA, all at once! In the following generations, too, SM continuously placed itself at the top with stars such as TVXQ, SNSD, SHINee, Red Velvet, NCT or aespa.
In addition, SM Entertainment also introduced the trainee system: The label intensively trained young talents for several months or even years to prepare them for their debut. Other labels adopted the system, and today it is inseparable from the K-Pop scene. Talented boys and girls are now selected worldwide through auditions or recruited at random. Whether as a spectator at a concert or while shopping with the family; future idols have been approached in the craziest moments and asked whether they would like to make music.
Afterwards, these talents are trained intensively for several years. They not only receive singing and dance lessons, but also learn acting and other languages such as Japanese or English, among other things. Some idols almost grow up in their respective entertainment companies, because training periods of four to six or even ten years are not unusual. (Of course, there are also many idols who trained for only a few months before their debut.)
Over the years, the entertainment companies have continued to move the K-Pop scene forward with ever new, innovative ideas. In 2020, for example, SM Entertainment created “Beyond Live”, the world's first concert streaming service!
Which bands belong to the 1st generation?
The best-known groups of this era include:
- Seo Taiji and Boys
- H.O.T
- S.E.S
- g.o.d
- Shinhwa
- Sechs Kies
- Turbo
- Baby V.O.X
- Fin.K.L
- Fly to the Sky
These are a few of the most popular solo artists:
- Rain
- Lee Hyori
- Seven
- BoA
Maybe a few of the names sound familiar to you, because in fact a few of these artists, such as BoA, Rain and Shinhwa, are still active today.
In fact, Shinhwa is the longest-running boy band in the history of K-Pop. They debuted in 1998 and have therefore been in the business for almost 25 years! And that without a single change in the line-up; then as now, the boy group consists of the same six members. Shinhwa was also the first K-Pop boy group that did not disband after their military service, but performed together again afterwards. Moreover, they are the first idol group that remains successfully active even after leaving their original label (in this case SM Entertainment).
Have you ever listened to the music of 1st generation artists? Is there anyone you would like to know more about? Let us know!
