With each new year, the world of K-pop is looking to shed off the last vestiges of the old year and bring on the new. 2019 was no different, as pop culture shifted its direction and presented us with some big changes. One of the biggest changes was the way that the industry is trying to get in touch with the millennial audience. As well as showcasing a wider variety of music and style, the K-pop industry began to cater to our generation more; creating a whole new wave of idols just as the previous one was beginning to wane. This was most notably demonstrated through the variety of “boy groups” that sprung up all across the globe, each promising the next big thing in a variety of different ways.
BTS: The Winners Of The Era Award
Perhaps the biggest surprise of 2019 was the variety of talented boy bands that stood out above the rest and truly deserved to be in the spotlight. BTS, the largest of the k-pop groups, is one of the many performers who took 2019 by storm, becoming the first ever winners of the prestigious “Record of the Year” and “Album of the Year” awards at the annual Mnet Asian Music Awards (MAMA). On the surface, BTS may not appear to be a groundbreaking act, as they have been around for a while. However, their uncanny ability to connect with fans around the world makes them a unique and inspiring figureheads for the new era.
- 19 million Instagram followers
- 13.8 million YouTube subscribers
- 25.8 million Twitter followers
- 30.4 million Facebook fans
NU’EST: The Group That Will Dominate The Next Big Thing
NU’EST, an eight-piece group from South Korea, is taking the industry by storm, gaining a whopping 24.7 million YouTube subscribers and 19.7 million Instagram followers in the process. One of the big reasons for NU’EST’s meteoric rise to fame is due to their unique blend of old and new, playing up a contrast of traditional Korean culture with a modern twist. The quintet is also making a lasting impression through their lively and vibrant performances, which have become a huge inspiration to many fans around the world.
- 12.2 million Instagram followers
- 19.7 million YouTube subscribers
- 13.3 million Twitter followers
- 22.2 million Facebook fans
MISTI: The Groups Emerging Talent Will Continue To Impress
MISTI, an acronym for Musical Iconic Superstars Transforming Industry, is a Korean girl group that has attracted the attention of the international community for their innovative fashion and unique personalities. The four-member group is a breath of fresh air compared to the usual formulaic and often one-dimensional approach taken by most K-pop groups. Each of the members of MISTI is an established solo artist, boasting a stunning array of skills.
- 1.8 million Instagram followers
- 3.9 million YouTube subscribers
- 2.7 million Twitter followers
- 3.8 million Facebook fans
There’s a lot more to cover when it comes to the k-pop industry. 2019 was undoubtedly a year of transition and change, but that doesn’t mean we have to lose sight of the music that got us here in the first place. With the backing of some of the biggest names in the industry, these five groups are primed and ready to make the most of this new era.