[BLOG] Billboard's “Top 10 K-POP Girl Groups You Need to Know”

On April 30th, as a feature for their girl group week special, Billboard names “Top 10 K-POP Girl Groups You Need to Know”. Billboard.com is a music-oriented website wherein they feature an extensive array of searchable, playable charts and music news.

According to Billboard, “Female acts rose to prominence in the late '90s, and domestic fascination never simmered. Eventually, these girl groups' allure translated overseas, with international fans parlaying their love into incredible global feats.”

Here are the “Top 10 K-POP Girl Groups You Need to Know” in no particular order:

1. S.E.S [1997 - 2002] | Hit Track: Im Your Girl

“With a name derived from the first initials of members Sea, Eugene and Shoo, S.E.S. made a monster impact in K-pop throughout the late '90s to early '00s. The trio debuted in 1997 with their sugary single "I'm Your Girl" under record label SM Entertainment. The girls went on to release an extensive list of hits and sell a remarkable amount of records. ”

BubbleFeet's Pick: Relay (달리기), ('Cause) I'm Your Girl, I Love You (너를 사랑해) (Feat. Ha Tae Hwan), Dreams Come True

2. Girls' Generation [2007 - present] | Hit Track: Gee

“With an image as sweet as their bubblegum hooks, the nine members of Girls' Generation represent today's softer, effervescent side of K-pop girl groups. With images and concepts that are girly, fun and boast the slightest bit of sex appeal, the nine-piece gained a rabid fanbase that earned them impressive accolades, and became the first girl group to have a music video hit more than 100 million views on YouTube with their hit "Gee".”

BubbleFeet's Pick: Gee, The Boys, Tell Me Your Wish (Genie), I Got A Boy


3. Fin.K.L [1998 - 2002]  | Hit Track: Blue Rain

“Powerhouse group Fin.K.L hit the K-pop scene in 1998 and became S.E.S.'s biggest and only competition. From R&B-inspired ballad "Blue Rain" to sweet dance cut "Eternal Love" to the banger "Now", Fin.K.L's string of smash hits helped lead Korea's girl group epidemic until they halted promotions in 2002. Fin.K.L's leader, Lee Hyori, has since become one of the most successful female solo artists in K-pop history.”

BubbleFeet's Pick: To My Boyfriend (내 남자 친구에게), Ruby (루비), Blue Rain, Eternal Love (영원한 사랑)


4. Wonder Girls [2007 - present] | Hit Track: Nobody

“For many outside of Asia, Wonder Girls very likely served as an introduction to K-pop. The retro outfit saw its domestic popularity transfer stateside when they hit No. 76 on the Billboard Hot 100 with the English version of their Korean hit "Nobody". The quintet earned two K-Pop Hot 100 No. 1s before announcing a hiatus in February 2013.”

BubbleFeet's Pick: Nobody, Be My Baby, 2 Different Tears, Tell Me


5. After School [2009 - present]  | Hit Track: First Love

“After School not only stands out as the only girl group in K-pop with an admission-graduation concept, but eventually became known for its incomparable live stage performances. With a lineup that's boasted as little as five members and grown to as big as nine, the group has pulled out everything from tap dances to drum lines to cane dances for TV broadcasts. ”

BubbleFeet's Pick: Because Of You (너 때문에), First Love  (첫사랑), Shampoo, Flashback


6. 2NE1 [2009 - present] | Hit Track: I Am The Best

“With a musical style that opts for attitude-heavy hip-hop, EDM and reggae in place of bubblegum pop, 2NE1 stood out in K-pop for their fierce attitude and out-there fashion. Along with Wonder Girls and Girls' Generation, the quartet helped spread Korean girl groups internationally. Recently, the girls cultivated an impressive American fanbase that sent their new album "Crush" to No. 61 on the Billboard 200, the highest-charting record for all K-pop acts on the albums charts.”

BubbleFeet's Pick: I Am The Best (내가 제일 잘 나가), I Love You, Lonely, I Don't Care


7. Baby V.O.X [1997 - 2004]  | Hit Track: Get Up

“After weathering through a handful of lineup changes since their official debut in 1997, Baby V.O.X finally made a huge splash with their third album "Come Come Come Baby" in 1999. The group started expanding promotions in and outside of Korea. Baby V.O.X. became the first K-pop group to successfully crossover abroad, notably in China. After finding success in Asia, the girls officially parted ways in 2004.”

BubbleFeet's Pick: Get Up, Doll (인형), Ya Ya Ya, What Should I Do (나 어떡해)


8. Brown Eyed Girls [2006 - present]  | Hit Track: Abracadabra

“Brown Eyed Girls debuted in 2006 without revealing their actual faces in videos or media. While the ploy didn't lead to huge chart success, the girls came around to embracing their sexuality with a brashness never seen before, most notably with 2009's "Abracadabra" that led to the now-famous hip-swinging dance that Psy incorporated into his "Gentleman" video. The girls have continued to push boundaries with genre-blurring compositions and controversial visuals with a poise and confidence that satisfies both critics and young fans.”

BubbleFeet's Pick: Sixth Sense, LOVE, Hotshot, Abracadabra,


9. Jewelry [2001 - present]  | Hit Track: One More Time

“Although Jewelry went through multiple lineup changes and some setbacks after its 2001 debut, they aret currently promoting as a threesome with members Baby J, Yewon and Semi, and is currently the longest-running girl group still recording in K-pop today. They made an impressive mark with 2005 single "Superstar", the shining and most significant moment of Jewelry's career sent their single "One More Time" to No. 1 on all major K-pop digital music charts.”

BubbleFeet's Pick: One More Time, Hot&Cold, Look At Me (룩앳미), Step


10. SISTAR [2011 - present]  | Hit Track: Alone

“SISTAR has become one of the most consistent groups in K-pop, with hit single after hit single elevating them towards the top of the K-pop girl group rankings. SISTAR has the most No. 1s of any group, while two members have multiple solo No. 1s. Meanwhile, the group's splinter duo project SISTAR19, made up of Hyorin and rapper Bora went on to be the biggest hit of 2013. Soyou also tied the all-time chart record when her solo hit "Some" spent six weeks at No. 1 atop the chart.”

BubbleFeet's Pick: Alone (나혼자), Loving U (러빙유), Give It To Me, So Cool (쏘쿨)

Source: Billboard | Post via Jiro Lee @ BubbleFeetMusic