Super Junior, BigBang? 10 oldest K-pop groups still active today

Sechs Kies occupies a unique place in K-pop history: a first-generation boy band whose story includes both an early disbandment and a spectacular second act.

The six-member group debuted in 1997 under DSP Media with the song “School Anthem”, quickly becoming rivals to SM Entertainment’s HOT. During the late 1990s, they produced some of the era’s most beloved hits, including “Couple” and “Chivalry”.

But the original run was short. The group abruptly disbanded in 2000, leaving fans stunned.

Sixteen years later, something remarkable happened: a reunion performance on the Korean variety show Infinite Challenge sparked overwhelming nostalgia among fans. The renewed interest led to a formal reunion in 2016, when several members signed with YG Entertainment and resumed activities as a group.

The modern line-up now consists of Eun Ji-won, Lee Jai-jin, Kim Jae-duck and Jang Su-won, after a few members departed over time. Despite these changes, Sechs Kies has released new music and appeared regularly on television. After almost 30 years, they represent the power of nostalgia in K-pop, proving that even a group dormant for over a decade could return to relevance.

Few groups have ever been as beloved in Korea as g.o.d, whose name—short for “Groove Over Dose”—became synonymous with emotional storytelling in pop music.

The five-member group debuted in 1999 with “To Mother”, a song that stood out for its narrative structure and heartfelt lyrics about family. Unlike the other oldest K-pop groups, their music often focused on everyday life rather than glamorous idol imagery, which helped them earn the nickname “the nation’s group”.

The group initially thrived throughout the early 2000s but began to fracture when member Yoon Kye-sang left in 2004. Shortly afterwards, the group entered a prolonged hiatus as members pursued acting careers, solo music and military service.

Yet the group never officially disbanded. In 2014, the original five members reunited for their 15th anniversary album Chapter 8, accompanied by sold-out reunion concerts.

Today, the members remain prominent figures in Korean entertainment—particularly Joon Park and Kim Tae-woo—and occasionally reunite for concerts and anniversary projects. Fortunately, their emotionally grounded music still resonates with audiences who grew up with them, giving the group a multi-generational fan base.

While many idol groups fade with changing trends, Koyote has quietly endured for nearly three decades.

The co-ed dance group debuted in 1998 with a rotating line-up, eventually stabilising around the trio of Kim Jong-min, Shin Ji and Bbaek Ga. Known for energetic electronic dance tracks, they became staples of Korean radio and television variety programmes.

Unlike many idol acts, Koyote never relied on the traditional idol image of synchronised choreography and intense fan service. Instead, they cultivated a reputation as charismatic entertainers, frequently appearing on variety shows and festival stages.

The group has experienced several line-up changes over the years, but Shin Ji—the group’s distinctive vocalist—has remained a constant anchor. They continue to release singles and perform at concerts and nostalgia festivals.

Koyote remains relevant since their music bridges generations, and their cheerful stage presence makes them enduring fixtures of Korean pop culture.

Few groups illustrate the evolution of K-pop as clearly as TVXQ.

Originally a five-member act under SM Entertainment, TVXQ debuted in 2003 with the single “Hug”. Their soaring vocals and polished choreography helped define the second generation of K-pop idols, particularly through blockbuster hits like “Mirotic”.

But the group faced a major crisis in 2010 when three members—Jaejoong, Yoochun and Junsu—left the group amid a legal dispute with SM Entertainment. The remaining members, U-Know Yunho and Max Changmin, continued as a duo.

Rather than fading, the reconfigured group reinvented itself. TVXQ became one of the most successful Korean acts in Japan, selling out massive stadium tours and releasing chart-topping albums.

More than two decades after their debut, they remain active with new music, tours and anniversary projects.

Though TVXQ has endured much over the years, they helped globalise K-pop, particularly in Japan, laying the groundwork for the international expansion that followed.

When Super Junior debuted in 2005, they were initially marketed as a rotating project group. Instead, they became one of K-pop’s most durable institutions.

The original line-up included 12 members, later expanding to 13 with the addition of Kyuhyun. Over the years, several members departed or became inactive due to controversies or personal decisions, but the core group remained active.

Super Junior’s influence extended far beyond music. Members branched into television hosting, acting, musical theatre and international promotions, particularly in China and Southeast Asia.

The group continues to release music and perform concerts, even as individual members maintain thriving solo careers. In April 2026, Super Junior wrapped up their 20th anniversary world tour at the KSPO Dome in Seoul. What makes their reputation endure? They pioneered the “idol variety star”, proving that personality could be just as important as music in sustaining a long career.

Unlike many idol groups, Brown Eyed Girls built their reputation on vocal power and mature themes.

The four members, JeA, Miryo, Narsha and Gain, debuted in 2006 with a style rooted more in R&B and dance-pop than the typical idol formula. Their 2009 hit “Abracadabra” became one of the most iconic songs of the era.

Remarkably, the group has never undergone a line-up change—an extremely rare feat in K-pop. Despite long breaks between albums as members pursued solo careers, the group has never officially disbanded. Brown Eyed Girls is celebrating their 20th anniversary in 2026, with Narsha confirming in March that they are working on new music. Their impact remains because their music challenged K-pop’s conservative norms and proved that female idol groups could sustain careers well into adulthood.

BigBang reshaped the sound and aesthetic of K-pop.

Debuting under YG Entertainment in 2006, the group—G-Dragon, TOP, Taeyang, Daesung and Seungri—introduced a style that married hip-hop, electronic music and personal songwriting. Their influence spread across Asia and later the global pop landscape.

The group’s line-up changed dramatically after Seungri’s departure in 2019 amid legal scandals, and members began focusing on solo work. Yet the group has never formally disbanded.

In 2022, BigBang released the single “Still Life”, widely interpreted as a reflective statement on their long career. On March 4, 2026, YG Entertainment officially confirmed a 20th Anniversary World Tour featuring G-Dragon, Taeyang and Daesung. They are also headlining Coachella 2026 this April.

Though they debuted 20 years ago, their ability to transform K-pop into an artist-driven genre inspired countless idols to write and produce their own music.

When Girls’ Generation debuted in 2007 under SM Entertainment, few could have predicted that the nine-member group would become one of the most defining acts in K-pop history. Comprised of Taeyeon, Sunny, Tiffany, Hyoyeon, Yuri, Sooyoung, Yoona, Seohyun and Jessica, the group first gained attention with their debut single “Into the New World”, which has since become something of a generational anthem in Korea.

Their real breakthrough arrived in 2009 with the viral megahit “Gee”, a candy-coloured pop single whose choreography and infectious hook helped catapult the group into national dominance. Through the early 2010s, Girls’ Generation released a string of era-defining hits, including “Genie”, “Run Devil Run” and “I Got a Boy”, establishing themselves as the “Nation’s Girl Group”. It is a title reserved for acts that capture the public imagination beyond typical fandom culture.

See more: 8 best K-drama performances by K-pop idols

The group experienced its most significant line-up shift in 2014 when member Jessica departed. The remaining eight members continued promoting as a group, releasing albums and touring internationally. Another transition came in 2017 when Tiffany, Sooyoung and Seohyun left SM Entertainment, though they emphasised that the group itself had not disbanded.

That claim proved true in 2022, when all eight members reunited for their 15th anniversary album Forever 1, marking the first full group comeback in five years. The release was accompanied by a wave of nostalgia and reaffirmed the group’s enduring cultural influence.

Today, Girls’ Generation exists as a rare example of a K-pop group whose members have built powerful individual careers—Taeyeon as one of Korea’s most successful solo vocalists, Yoona and Sooyoung as actors and Hyoyeon as a DJ—while still preserving the group’s identity.

When 2PM debuted under JYP Entertainment in 2008, the group stood out immediately for its aggressive, athletic image. It was a sharp contrast to the softer aesthetics that dominated male idol groups at the time. The original line-up consisted of seven members: Jun K, Nichkhun, Taecyeon, Wooyoung, Junho, Chansung and Jay Park.

Early singles like “10 Out of 10” introduced audiences to what would become the group’s trademark: acrobatics, powerful choreography and a deliberately masculine stage presence. Their popularity surged with hits such as “Heartbeat”, whose dramatic choreography and theatrical visuals became iconic within second-generation K-pop.

The group’s trajectory shifted dramatically in 2009 when leader Jay Park departed following a controversy involving past online comments. The remaining six members continued as 2PM, and rather than slowing down, they entered one of the most successful phases of their career.

Throughout the early 2010s, 2PM became one of the most internationally successful K-pop acts in Japan, releasing multiple chart-topping albums and embarking on arena tours. The group also built a reputation for producing members who could thrive outside the idol system: Junho emerged as a respected actor, Taecyeon became a major television star and Nichkhun gained popularity across Southeast Asia.

Like many of the oldest K-pop groups, 2PM’s activities slowed during the late 2010s as members completed mandatory military service. Yet the group never formally disbanded, and in 2021, they reunited for the album Must, marking their first full comeback in five years.

In recent years, the group’s visibility has remained strong thanks to the acting success of members like Junho, whose performance in the drama King the Land introduced him to a new generation of international fans. JYP Entertainment also announced in February 2026 that the full six-member group will return to Tokyo Dome in May 2026 for “The Return” concert, marking 15 years in Japan.

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