Settings

ⓕ font-size

  • -2
  • -1
  • 0
  • +1
  • +2

History of K-pop girl bands (from 1930s to present)

  • Facebook share button
  • Twitter share button
  • Kakao share button
  • Mail share button
  • Link share button

By Bahk Eun-ji

Which is your favorite K-pop girl band?

AOA? TWICE? Or MAMAMOO? (Have you ever heard of them?)

Girls' Generation is already considered "out of season," with the shine gradually losing its luster.

In this fast-changing K-pop scene, people tend to be interested in "what's coming," while putting "what's gone" into the blind spot of their memory that is unlikely to get cognitive attention again.

Nevertheless it is hard to ignore the importance of looking back on those who once dazzled the K-pop scene ― without them, it would have been impossible for K-pop stars to have the international fame they enjoy today.

The Korea Times explored the history of K-pop girl bands, from the first female band in 1935 to those dazzling at the moment.

Jeogori Sisters is believed to be Korea's first girl band in modern history. Making its debut in 1935, the four-member band was comprised of Lee Nan-young, Jang Se-jeong, Park Hyang-rim and Lee Hwa-ja. They earned fame with a series of hits, including"Tears of Mokpo," "The ferryboat leaves," and "My brother is a Strolling Singer."

Kim Sisters was the first Korean girl band to make play in the U.S. in the 1950s, on the back of its popularity among U.S. forces here.

In the 1990s, the first generation of "idol" girl bands came into the spotlight. Among them, two bands, SES and Fin.K.L, enjoyed the most popularity.

Check out the photos below showing the history of K-pop girl bands in chronological order.

Jeogori Sisters / Korea Times
Jeogori Sisters / Korea Times

Kim Sisters / Korea Times
Kim Sisters / Korea Times

Arirang Sisters (1962)  / Korea Times
Arirang Sisters (1962) / Korea Times

<p style='text-align: left;'>Pearl Sisters (1969) / Korea Times </span><br /><br />

Pearl Sisters (1969) / Korea Times


Bonnie Girls  (1971)  / Korea Times
Bonnie Girls (1971) / Korea Times

 Seoul Family (1984) / Korea Times
Seoul Family (1984) / Korea Times
<p style='text-align: left;'>Sook Sisters (1982) / Korea Times </span><br /><br />

Sook Sisters (1982) / Korea Times



※1990S

SES / Korea Times
SES / Korea Times

SES / Korea Times
SES / Korea Times

<p style='text-align: left;'>Fin.K.L / Korea Times  </span><br /><br />

Fin.K.L / Korea Times


<p style='text-align: left;'>Fin.K.L  / Korea Times</span><br /><br />

Fin.K.L / Korea Times


 Baby V.O.X / Korea Times
Baby V.O.X / Korea Times

 Diva / Korea Times
Diva / Korea Times


※2000s

<p style='text-align: left;'>Chakra / Korea Times </span><br /><br />

Chakra / Korea Times


 Chakra / Korea Times
Chakra / Korea Times

 <span style='line-height: 21px;'>Lee  Hyo-ri from Fin.K.L / Korea Times</span>
Lee Hyo-ri from Fin.K.L / Korea Times

 <span style='line-height: 21px;'>Lee  Hyo-ri from Fin.K.L / Korea Times</span>
Lee Hyo-ri from Fin.K.L / Korea Times

 Wonder Girls / Korea Times
Wonder Girls / Korea Times

 Wonder Girls / Korea Times
Wonder Girls / Korea Times

 Girls' Generation / Korea Times
Girls' Generation / Korea Times

 Girls' Generation / Korea Times
Girls' Generation / Korea Times

KARA / Korea Times
KARA / Korea Times

KARA / Korea Times
KARA / Korea Times

After School / Korea Times
After School / Korea Times

After School / Korea Times
After School / Korea Times

Brown Eyed Girls / Korea Times
Brown Eyed Girls / Korea Times

Brown Eyed Girls / Korea Times
Brown Eyed Girls / Korea Times

2NE1 / Korea Times
2NE1 / Korea Times

2NE1 / Korea Times
2NE1 / Korea Times

 Secret / Korea Times
Secret / Korea Times

 4Minute / Korea Times
4Minute / Korea Times


※2010~

Sistar / Korea Times
Sistar / Korea Times

Miss A / Korea Times
Miss A / Korea Times


Girl's Day / Korea Times
Girl's Day / Korea Times

AOA / Korea Times
AOA / Korea Times

 EXID / Korea Times
EXID / Korea Times

 TWICE / Korea Times
TWICE / Korea Times



 Produce 101 / Korea Times
Produce 101 / Korea Times


X
CLOSE

Top 10 Stories

go top LETTER