The future of music

30 Best K-Pop Boy Groups Ever

December 21, 2023
K-pop boy groups

I’ve selected the best K-Pop boy groups ever, a showcase of the most influential and dynamic groups that have taken the music world by storm.

This article is a celebration of their captivating performances, trendsetting styles, and global impact, highlighting why these groups stand out in the vibrant world of K-Pop.

Top K-Pop boy groups ever

  • The Boyz
  • BTS
  • Seventeen
  • EXO
  • BIGBANG
  • GOT7
  • Super Junior
  • Astro
  • WINNER
  • Infinite

1. The Boyz

The Boyz is one of the best South Korean boy bands comprising Jacob, Sangyeon, Younghoon, New Q, Sunwoo, Eric, Ju Haknyeon, Juyeon, and Hyunjae. 

They debuted in 2017 and have been a revelation in the K-Pop landscape. 

Their versatility has made them a widely celebrated boy band, grabbing everyone’s attention with hits like “Right Here,” “The Stealer,” and “Giddy Up.” 

2. BTS

The countdown of BTS’s best songs begins with their debut single, “No More Dream,” and it’s almost endless.

That’s how good this K-Pop boy band was. 

BTS pioneered K-Pop, spreading the wave around the world since its 2013 debut. 

Even after their hiatus, their hits like “No More Dream,” “Face Yourself,” and “Love Yourself: Tear” still hit their fans on the right spot. 

3. Seventeen

The thirteen-member boy band has long been revered as one of the finest, most versatile K-Pop boy groups.

And that shows in their excellent compositions. 

From their 2015 debut with “17 Carat,” it was obvious they would leave a lasting K-Pop legacy. 

The group’s versatility and blend of vocal, and hip-hop styles have made them a standout cast in a competitive scene.

They’ve been labeled “Performance Kings” because they’ve always lived up to the hype around them.

4. EXO

EXO began its musical journey in 2012 as a 12-member band comprising South Korean/Chinese singers.

Their 2013 studio album, XOXO, put them in the limelight. 

Ultimately, it led to the success of their “Growl” and “Wolf” singles. 

Today, the 9-man group comprises Xiumin, Suho, Lay, Baekhyun, Chen, Chanyeol, D.O., Kai, and Sehun. 

5. BIGBANG

BIGBANG is a four member South Korean boy band made up of T.O.P, Daesung, Taeyang, and G-Dragon. 

It was a five-member band until Seungri’s 2019 retirement.

The band never gave up, even after struggling to establish themselves in the K-Pop world.

And that paid off a few years later with multiple hits that propelled them to the top of the K-Pop charts. 

They are famous trendsetters, with imposing stage performances that often left the fans begging for more.

6. GOT7

GOT7 entered the music scene in 2014 with their debut EP, Got It?, and have never looked back. 

They released their most successful hit, “Just Right,” in 2015 before exploring the global market with a new studio album dubbed Moriagatteyo. 

The K-Pop group is known for its energetic live performances and philanthropic activities.

7. Super Junior

Nobody would have known Super Junior had it not been for their “Sorry Sorry” single.

Fortunately, they capitalized on the newly found fame by releasing other hit songs such as “Mr. Simple,” “Bonamana,” and “SUPERMAN.”

Most of their songs are super easy, fun, and catchy, often leaving the listeners awestruck. 

8. Astro

Astro’s meteoric rise to the top has been inspiring. 

The group’s debut EP went straight to the Billboard World Albums Chart, peaking at #6. 

The K-Boy group has six members: Cha Eun-woo, Rocky, Yoon San-ha, Moon Bin, Jinjin, and MJ. 

9. WINNER

When WINNER debuted in 2014, nobody knew they would become one of the greatest K-Pop groups in history. 

Sure, they’ve had a rollercoaster.

But there’s no denying they’ve shone brightly even in the darkest moments.

What stands out about this South Korean boy group is their diversity. 

No matter your mood, there’s always a WINNER song to match the emotions. 

And that’s why it is an honorable mention in any discussion of the greatest K-Pop boy groups. 

10. Infinite

We know they disbanded.

But how are we going to pretend like the 6-man, Infinite band never existed?

Debuting in 2010, Infinite took the K-Pop world by storm with their synchronized dances.

Their live vocals were epic. 

And they were known for their high-profile endorsement deals with Samsung, Pepsi, and the like. 

Unfortunately, the 2019 military enlistments meant the group had to disband.

11. Madtown

Formed in 2014, Madtown comprised Daewon, Moos, Jota, H.O., Buffy, and Lee Geon.

They released their self-titled debut album in 2014 before disbanding three years later.

12. Oneus

Oneus isn’t probably the most popular name in K-Pop culture.

But no matter what you think about the 5-member band, their hits such as “Valkyrie,” “Black Mirror,” and “Twilight” will always get K-Pop lovers talking.  

13. Highlight 

Now that we are talking about the best K-Pop boy groups let’s go back to 2009, a great period for most K-Pop bands.

The four-member Highlight band was previously known as Beast.

And they debuted in 2009 with Yang Yo-seob, Son Dong-woon, Lee Gi-kwang, and Yoon Doo-joon as the founding members. 

They released several albums and hit singles as Beast, with their 2017 EP, Can You Feel It? getting plenty of attention.

While they didn’t enjoy much popularity as their predecessors, they had just enough success to cement their name in the history books. 

14. VAV

Very Awesome Voice, or simply VAV, is a seven-member K-Pop boy band from Seoul, South Korea.

They got into the limelight in 2015 with their Under The Moonlight EP.

They are celebrated for their hit songs like “Thrilla Killa,” “Senorita,” and “Give Me More.”

The group might have disbanded in 2016, but there’s never a perfect time to become a VAV fan. 

15. Block B

This is the K-Pop boy band behind hits like “Jackpot,” “HER,” and “Very Good.”

We won’t talk about their controversial, sexually provocative antics.

But they are still one of the best K-Pop boy bands in history, with multiple accolades to their name.

16. BtoB

Born to Beat, known to K-Pop lovers as BtoB, is an award-winning South Korean boy group that stood out with hits such as “Missing You,” “Only One For Me,” and “It’s Okay.” 

The sextet consists of Yook Sung-Jae, Peniel Shin, Im Hyun-sik, Lee Chang-sub, Lee Min-hyuk, and Seo Eun-kwang. 

The K-Pop boy group has bagged numerous awards, including Japan Gold Disc Award, Korean Popular Music Awards, and Seoul Music Awards. 

17. Day6

Day6 was formed in 2015 by JYP Entertainment. 

They shot to the limelight in 2015 with their debut EP, The Day, peaking at #2 on the Billboard World Album Chart. 

The four-member band is famed for its heart-touching songs. 

The deeply absorbing lyrics in songs such as “You Were Beautiful,” “Congratulations,” and “I Loved You,” will make you crave a romantic partner. 

18. Tomorrow X Together 

Tomorrow X Together, shortened as TXT, is one of the greatest K-Pop boy bands of all time.

The South Korean boy group made its breakthrough via Big Hit Entertainment and has since become an award-winning band with a huge global following. 

Their richly diverse singing style endears them to many K-Pop lovers.

So, do yourself a favor by listening to their 2019 single, “Crown,” which put them on the map. 

19. VIXX

VIXX stands out in choreography because their songs always tell a story. 

They debuted in 2012 as a sextet and have undergone numerical changes to become a 3-member band. 

Their stage performances put them above most other K-Pop boy groups. 

After a four-year hiatus, VIXX released a new single, “Gonna Be Alright,” in January 2023, hinting at a potential comeback to the K-Pop music scene. 

 20. 2PM

This South Korean sextet began its journey in 2008 in Seoul.

Originally, 2PM was a seven-member band before Jaebeom’s unceremonious quitting in 2009.

Park Jin-young initially formed One Day as a large, twelve-member band that dominated the K-Pop world.

Later, he split it into two divisions, 2PM and 2AM. 

2PM would be the hip-hop wing, while 2AM remained an independent band. 

That was the genesis of the iconic 7-man group that has continued to entertain its loyal fan base worldwide. 

The band took a hiatus in 2017 before their 2021 comeback with a new studio album dubbed Must. 

21. Wanna One

They don’t exist anymore, but Wanna One was one of the finest K-Pop boy groups in their prime. 

They broke onto the scene via Produce 101 Season 2 as an 11-member band committed to K-Pop. 

They enjoyed huge success, including Rookie of the Year Awards and plenty of hit singles. 

Wanna one’s heartbreaking final performance was in 2019, bringing the curtain down on an enviable musical career.

If you are a K-Pop lover, we’d suggest you bring back the good old days with “Boomerang,” one of the group’s best-ever songs. 

22. Stray Kids

Forget the cheeky name. 

The award-winning 8-boy band stood out with multiple hit songs and studio albums. 

Their journey to the top has been incredible, going from strength to strength to become one of the best K-Pop boy groups. 

K-Pop lovers will remember Stray Kids for their record-breaking Maxident mini album that confirmed them as one of the best K-Pop boy groups.  

23. NCT

NCT made its official debut in 2016 with 23 band members under four subunits: WavyV, NCT Dream, NCT 127, and NCT U. 

NCT U was the first to debut, rising to prominence with “Without You” and “The 7th Sense” singles. 

NCT’s rotational nature has kept their popularity alive while turning them into SM Entertainment’s best-selling K-Pop boy group. 

24. ATEEZ

KQ Entertainment formed ATEEZ in 2018 as an eight-member band consisting of Jongho, Wooyoung, Mingi, San, Yeosang, Yunho, Seonghwa, and Hongjoong. 

They entered the scene in 2018 with the EP Treasure E.P.1: All to Zero. 

Today, ATEEZ boasts multiple accolades from the Asian Model Awards, Blue Dragon Series Awards, and Forbes Korea Awards. 

25. Monsta X

Monsta X became a fan favorite because of their passionate style and a careful blend of pop, EDM, and hip hop. 

Their songs always featured loud instrumentals, magical voices, and absorbing rap verses, making them a unique cast in the K-Pop landscape. 

Some of their greatest songs include “Love Killa,” “Hero,” and “Shoot Out.”

26. Super M

Super M is a seven-member boy group that made history when their self-titled EP topped the Billboard 200.

While the members have diverse backgrounds, they’ve blended nicely to create one of the most popular K-Pop boy groups. 

27. SHINee

SHINee has been nicknamed the “Princes of K-Pop” because they are one of the best K-Pop boy groups in history. 

Their musical impact is felt far and wide, and the musical group currently comprises Onew, Taemin, Minho, and Key. 

Originally, SHINee was a five-member group before vocalist Jonghyun’s unfortunate demise in 2017. 

Their energetic dance routines and matchless live vocals set them apart. 

28. TREASURE

Like their name, TREASURE will always hold a special place in many K-Pop lovers’ hearts, thanks to their natural charm. 

Despite only debuting in 2020, the K-Pop boy band has captivated its fans with its beautiful vocals, synchronized choreographies, and natural appeal. 

They are worth checking out if you love K-Pop music. 

29. P1Harmony

P1Harmony was formed in 2020 by FNC Entertainment and consisted of Jongseob, Soul, Intak, Jiung, Theo, and Keeho. 

They debuted in 2020 with an EP dubbed Disharmony: Stand Out.

They also starred in a future film, P1H: The Beginning of a New World. 

P1Harmony’s lengthy resume also includes philanthropic activities. 

30. iKon 

iKon is one of the most popular K-Pop boy groups under 143 Entertainment. 

They debuted in 2015 as an ordinary sextet under YG Entertainment. 

But it wasn’t long before the K-Pop faithful recognized their talent, thanks to their hit singles and global tours. 

Their signature song, “Love Scenario,” from their 2018 studio album, Return, marked an important milestone in their career, pushing them to the top of the K-Pop music scene. 

The future looks bright for the six-member K-Pop band, set to release more singles in 2023 and beyond. 

Best K-Pop Boy Groups – Final Thoughts

Who would you have as your top 10 K-Pop boy groups?

No matter your favorites, this list has all the names you need to complete your selection. 

K-Pop is increasingly becoming popular.

And if you want a new music taste to break the monotony, this is the perfect time to create your playlist. 

Related Articles:

Best K-Pop Songs of All Time

Best K-Pop Girl Groups

Will Fenton

Will, the founder of MIDDER, is a multifaceted individual with a deep passion for music and personal finance. As a self-proclaimed music and personal finance geek, he has a keen eye for futuristic technologies, especially those that empower creators and the public.

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