Best 5th-Gen K-Pop Groups That Are Taking Over the Industry

Since 2023, K-pop has entered what many call the “5th generation.” These groups are not only creating buzz in Korea but are also gaining attention worldwide. Through their music, performances, fashion, and social media presence, they are redefining what it means to be an idol. Here are nine of the most representative groups and what makes each of them stand out:

Boy Groups

1. ZEROBASEONE (ZB1)

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• Highlight: Formed through the survival show Boys Planet, with outstanding stage presence.

• Favorite Song: Dance with Me — upbeat and energetic, with complex choreography that makes every performance exciting.

• Fashion: Versatile styling that blends streetwear with futuristic elements; their MV and stage outfits often set trends, while members’ personal styles also attract attention from fashion brands on social media.

• Impact: Their MVs quickly reach millions of views on YouTube and TikTok; they have active fan communities both in Korea and internationally, with rapidly growing engagement across social and short-form platforms, marking them as a rising global group.

2. RIIZE

Image Credit: By 티비텐 TV10 by Wikipedia

• Highlight: Produced by SM Entertainment, with a fresh, youthful style that appeals to the general public.

• Favorite Song: Memories — light and catchy, with an engaging vibe that shines in live performances.

• Fashion: A mix of clean school-style and streetwear; bright colors and playful styling make it easy for young fans to relate. They often collaborate with international fashion brands and appear in magazines and airport fashion shoots.

• Impact: Backed by a major company, their official YouTube and TikTok include multilingual subtitles, making them accessible to global fans and helping them quickly build recognition worldwide.

3. BOYNEXTDOOR

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• Highlight: Produced by KOZ Entertainment, known for their easygoing and natural vibe.

• Favorite Song: But I Like You — sweet with a playful touch, and a visually colorful MV.

• Fashion: Focuses on everyday, relatable outfits that are casual yet distinctive. They often work with niche streetwear brands, helping build a unique image that’s easy for young fans to copy.

• Impact: Their visuals and stage style stand out, making it easy for international youth audiences to connect with them. They have strong buzz in Korea and are gradually expanding globally through MVs, social media, and trend-driven content.

4. TWS

Image Credit: By TenAsia by Wikipedia

• Highlight: Produced by Pledis Entertainment, with a fresh, school-themed concept and several hit songs.

• Favorite Song: Plot Twist — light, catchy, and highly engaging on stage.

• Fashion: A school-inspired style with natural looks; their outfits are simple yet stylish and easy to relate to. Most of their fashion exposure comes from domestic magazines and events.

• Impact: Strong popularity in Korea, often seen as a “campus idol” group, with high visibility on social media. International attention mainly comes through YouTube and short-form platforms.

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Girl Groups

1. BABYMONSTER

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• Highlight: Produced by YG Entertainment, the junior group of BLACKPINK, with strong global promotion and massive attention.

• Favorite Song: Dreamy Night — powerful in both melody and choreography, with visually striking performances.

• Fashion: High-fashion styling with strong visual impact in MVs and on stage; seen as a trendsetter and featured by major international fashion magazines like Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar.

• Impact: A wide and growing fanbase with strong global reach across Asia, North America, and Europe; high media buzz and social media presence, often viewed as a potential top-tier global girl group.

2. ILLIT

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• Highlight: Produced by BELIFT LAB under HYBE, often seen as the junior group to NewJeans, with strong global marketing support and high hit-making potential.

• Favorite Song: Magnetic — upbeat and addictive, perfect for short-form platforms.

• Fashion: Styling often blends streetwear with modern elements; bold and experimental stage looks, with potential collaborations with international fashion brands.

• Impact: Strong global reach, promoted through platforms like YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Music; especially popular on short-form platforms in the U.S., Europe, and Southeast Asia, and widely seen as a potential next global top girl group.

3. KISS OF LIFE

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• Highlight: Produced by S2 Entertainment, a skilled vocal and dance girl group with a mature style.

• Favorite Song: Grace — strong vocals and a captivating stage presence.

• Fashion: Elegant and sophisticated, with clean, high-end styling that appeals to international audiences; often collaborates with premium fashion and accessory brands, with steady magazine features.

• Impact: Their MVs and performances maintain consistent attention in overseas K-pop communities, earning good reputation and a stable fanbase, with steady potential for growth in international markets.

4. MEOVV

Image Credit: By 티비텐 TV10 by Wikipedia

• Highlight: Produced by The Black Label, with a unique visual style and strong trendiness.

• Favorite Song: Meow — light and playful, with striking visuals in both the MV and stage performances.

• Fashion: Cat-inspired cute yet cool style, with fresh and eye-catching outfits that often set trends; frequent collaborations with young streetwear and cosmetic brands, making their visuals highly recognizable.

• Impact: A rising potential group, with strong buzz in visuals, fashion, and social media; especially popular among young fans on TikTok and Instagram, with potential to expand onto the international stage.

5. Hearts2Hearts

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• Highlight: Produced by SM Entertainment, Hearts2Hearts is positioned as a next-generation global girl group, with strong visuals, performance focus, and global promotion.

• Favorite Song: “The Chase” — catchy, upbeat, and well-suited for short-form platforms.

• Fashion: Futuristic and elegant styling, mixing modern streetwear with polished stage looks; Collaborate with international fashion brands such as Calvin Klein and Chanel Beauty.

• Impact: Strong global reach through YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Music; gaining popularity in the U.S., Europe, and Southeast Asia as a potential next global top girl group.