History of K-Pop: Generational Shifts
There have been discussions about K-Pop entering its fifth generation, but what exactly does this mean? Over the years, K-Pop music has evolved following the current trends. Fans categorize K-Pop generations based on the shifts in concept, style, and trends at the time. This makes it difficult to determine when a generation ends or begins, and there is a lot of debate regarding which generation we are currently in and what years define past generations. This month, we will take a closer look at the history of generations in K-Pop music.
First Generation: 1990s
It is recognized that the first generation of K-Pop began in the ‘90s with the debut of Seo Taiji and Boys. The trio made waves with their debut song "I Know" in 1992, introducing a new sound fusion of Korean lyrics with elements of Western music genres such as hip-hop, rap, and rock. Their incorporation of choreography and Western fashion added to their aesthetic. The debut of H.O.T would be the first to undergo training and be formed as a music group incorporating elements that Seo Taiji and Boys introduced. Many notable groups came from this generation such as SHINHWA, S.E.S, Fin.K.L, G.O.D, and Turbo. Solo acts such as Rain, and BoA were also prominent figures in the first generation.
The first generation of K-Pop was heavily influenced by Western culture. The music produced during this period incorporated R&B, hip-hop, and rap. The lyrics mostly talked about romance and love, which catered to a younger female audience. Baggy clothes, monotone colors, and minimalistic makeup characterized the fashion style. The first generation of K-Pop set the foundation for the genre.
Second Generation: 2000s
The second generation of K-Pop is believed to have started in the early 2000s, which is also known as the “Golden Age of K-Pop.” This era witnessed the debut of several iconic K-Pop groups and the genre's growing popularity outside of South Korea, which eventually led to the international phenomenon known as the Hallyu Wave.
During the second generation of K-Pop, groups such as TVXQ, Super Junior, BIGBANG, T-ARA, 2NE1, Girls’ Generation, SHINee, IU, PSY, and many more gained international popularity. They began touring globally, bringing fame to Korea.
Additionally, we witnessed the evolution of the K-Pop industry, which led to the establishment of a more prominent fandom culture and idol entertainment. K-Pop artists experimented with various music genres, including electronic dance music (EDM), hip-hop, R&B, and rock. The music videos became more high production, which added to the power of the performances. The makeup and fashion also evolved, becoming more bold and colorful. Both male and female idols started to wear heavy dark eye makeup and glitter, and the fashion became much more elaborate and campy. The artists experimented with various layers, including metallic colors, and mixed textures to create unique looks.
Third Generation: 2010s
The third generation of K-Pop began around 2012 and gained immense international and digital popularity. The industry became more strategic with its marketing and fan service. Streaming and social media platforms played a big part in pushing K-Pop to mainstream media and dominating the global music market.
Notable third-generation groups are EXO, Red Velvet, TWICE, GOT7, BLACKPINK, SEVENTEEN, WANNA ONE, ASTRO, iKON, and many more. The most famous group to come out of the third generation is BTS. Their journey to success is truly inspirational and significantly impacted not only the K-Pop industry, but the music industry around the world becoming the biggest boy band in the world currently.
Musically, the third generation experimented heavily with Western pop music and collaborated with various Western producers and artists. The message behind many songs during this time focused on sending more positive and empowering messages to audiences such as self-love and confidence. Girl and Boy Crush concepts dominated the K-Pop industry and were especially popular among their teen and young adult demographic. Third-generation groups began to perform in international music festivals and international music awards gaining more attention to K-Pop.
K-Pop makeup and fashion shifted to a more expensive taste as we began to see brand endorsement. Many idols would become brand ambassadors to various makeup brands, boosting Korean skincare and makeup popularity outside of South Korea. High-end and luxury fashion was pushed and we can begin to see idols wear much more expensive clothes and be invited to exclusive events such as the Met Gala and Fashion Week.
Fourth and Fifth-Generation Debate: 2020s
Fourth-generation K-Pop is estimated to have begun around 2018. This generation is the most diverse. There are idols from all over the world. Musically, there are various concepts and themes artists have taken. AI and Y2K became very popular concepts during the fourth generation. The shift from girl and boy crush shifted to a more girl-and-boy-boss concept or a Girl/Boy-next-door concept. Synchronism is most prominent in the fourth generation, as they are more performance and visual-based. Notable groups in the fourth generation include Stray Kids, (G)I-DLE, TXT (Tomorrow x Together) , ITZY, aespa, ATEEZ, ENHYPEN, IVE, LE SSERAFIM , and NewJeans.
There is a lot of discussion about the end of the fourth generation in the K-Pop industry. According to industry experts, the fifth-generation K-Pop is expected to debut this year 2024.
Edited by Vivian N.