K-pop groups have been dominating the global music scene for over a decade now. With their catchy songs, synchronized choreography, and visuals, K-pop groups have amassed huge fandoms all over the world. But among the sea of popular K-pop groups, which one stands at the very top and can be considered the number 1 K-pop group?
Measuring K-pop Group Popularity
Determining the most popular K-pop group is tricky because there are many factors to consider. Some key metrics used to gauge a K-pop group’s popularity and success include:
- Physical album sales
- Digital streams
- YouTube views
- Social media followers
- Concert ticket sales
- Chart performance
- Awards won
While all these metrics are important, physical album sales and concert ticket sales are often given more weight as they represent a group’s core fandom power. Digital streams and YouTube views also indicate a group’s global reach. For this analysis, we will consider a combination of all these factors over the last few years to determine the #1 K-pop group.
The Top Contenders
There are a handful of K-pop groups that can be considered contenders for the #1 spot based on their cumulative popularity and success over the past 5 years. Here are the top 5 groups in contention:
- BTS
- EXO
- SEVENTEEN
- BLACKPINK
- TWICE
These groups have consistently been among the top-selling K-pop acts and have made significant inroads into mainstream Western music markets. They have broken records, won awards, held massive world tours, and gained global recognition over the past few years. Now let’s take a data-driven look at each group’s achievements.
BTS
BTS (Bangtan Sonyeondan or Beyond The Scene) is undoubtedly the most popular K-pop group globally today. The 7-member boy group from Big Hit Entertainment has been breaking records and setting new milestones since their debut in 2013. Some of BTS’ key achievements include:
- First K-pop group to win a Billboard Music Award (2017)
- First K-pop group to perform at the AMAs (2017)
- First K-pop group to reach #1 on Billboard 200 chart (2018)
- Highest-charting Korean act on the Billboard Hot 100 (#1 for Dynamite in 2020)
- Most streamed group on Spotify in 2020 and 2021
- Best selling artist in South Korea in 2018, outselling mega stars like Drake
- Highest-grossing touring group in 2020 according to Billboard Boxscore, earning over $196 million
- Best-selling artist globally in 2020 per IFPI’s Global Artist Chart
- Most followed music group on Instagram with over 65 million followers
In the last 3 years, BTS has cemented themselves as the ‘biggest boy band in the world’. They have broken YouTube records, become global fashion icons, made history on the Billboard charts, and most importantly built an incredibly passionate fandom called ARMY. In 2021, BTS was named Artist of the Year at the AMAs and also won Artist of the Year at the AMAs – the most prestigious music awards in the US.
Key Data Points
| Metric | Statistic |
|---|---|
| Total album sales | Over 32 million |
| YouTube subscribers | Over 66 million |
| Social media followers | Over 100 million across platforms |
BTS’ commercial dominance, chart success, and ability to command stadium tours firmly places them at #1 among K-pop groups globally and in Korea. They are rewriting the playbook for K-pop and have taken it further than any other group.
EXO
EXO is one of the most successful K-pop groups of all time, especially within Korea. Formed by SM Entertainment in 2012, this 9 member boy group quickly rose to become Korea’s #1 group. Their first studio album XOXO (2013) became the first album in 12 years to sell over 1 million copies in Korea. Some key achievements of EXO include:
- First K-pop act to hold solo concert at Seoul Olympic Stadium (2014)
- Best-selling K-pop artist in Korea – over 10 million albums sold
- Won ‘Artist of the Year’ at Mnet Asian Music Awards a record 5 years straight
- Korea’s best-selling album of all time – Don’t Fight The Feeling (2021)
- One of the best-selling artists globally with over 23 million albums sold worldwide
At their peak, EXO was Korea’s most popular boy band and was recognized as the ‘Nation’s Pick’. While they haven’t broken into Western mainstream media as effectively as BTS, EXO’s fandom power and chart dominance in Korea is unmatched. However, EXO members have been pursuing solo activities since 2019, so the group is less active currently.
Key Data Points
| Metric | Statistic |
|---|---|
| Total album sales | Over 10 million in Korea 23 million worldwide |
| YouTube subscribers | Over 8 million |
| Social media followers | Over 30 million across platforms |
At their peak, EXO could have contended for #1 K-pop group. But in recent years, BTS has overtaken them commercially. EXO is still going strong and remains immensely popular in Korea.
SEVENTEEN
The 13-member boy group formed by Pledis Entertainment has become a rising force in K-pop over the last 5 years. With their fresh, upbeat tracks and synchronized choreography, SEVENTEEN has built a sizeable global fandom. Achievements of this K-pop act include:
- Million seller within first year of debut
- Over 5 million album sales worldwide
- Successful arena tours across Asia and North America
- Most wins for a male artist at Golden Disc Awards (4)
- Ranked #8 on Billboard’s Top Social Artist chart in 2021
While they haven’t yet reached EXO or BTS level success, SEVENTEEN has emerged as one of the most prominent K-pop groups today. They have been called the ‘Performance Kings’ thanks to their sharp choreography and have a diverse musical style spanning hip hop to funk pop.
Key Data Points
| Metric | Statistic |
|---|---|
| Total album sales | Over 5 million |
| YouTube subscribers | Over 9 million |
| Social media followers | Over 16 million across platforms |
SEVENTEEN has shown exponential growth in the past 3 years and has the numbers to back up their superstar status. While not yet at #1, SEVENTEEN is definitely a fast-rising K-pop group.
BLACKPINK
If we’re talking about current buzz and global popularity, BLACKPINK is definitely in contention for #1 girl group in K-pop right now. The 4-member group from YG Entertainment has broken numerous records since debuting in 2016. Their achievements include:
- First K-pop girl group to top Billboards World Digital Song Sales chart (2016)
- Most subscribed music group on YouTube with over 80 million subscribers
- Highest-charting female K-pop act on Billboard Hot 100 (#13 for Ice Cream)
- First female Korean act to perform at Coachella (2019)
- Highest-charting female Korean act on Billboard 200 (#2 for The Album)
- Girl group with most followers on Spotify (over 30 million)
BLACKPINK’s hotly anticipated 2020 comeback broke several YouTube records and crashed streaming platforms due to massive traffic. Though they only have a small discography, every BLACKPINK release instantly becomes a chart-topping hit due to their global fandom called ‘Blinks’.
Key Data Points
| Metric | Statistic |
|---|---|
| Total album sales | Over 6 million |
| YouTube subscribers | Over 80 million |
| Social media followers | Over 85 million across platforms |
Thanks to their strong visuals and girl crush concept, BLACKPINK has become a global phenomenon. They are the #1 K-pop girl group right now and have the stats to back it up.
TWICE
Formed by JYP Entertainment through the reality show ‘Sixteen’, TWICE rapidly became Korea’s top girl group after debuting in 2015. With their cute, catchy music and vibrant aesthetics, TWICE charmed listeners everywhere. The achievements of this 9 member group include:
- First Korean girl group to earn a platinum certification from the RIAJ in Japan (2016)
- 3 consecutive years as best-selling Korean girl group (2016-2018)
- Best-selling Korean girl group with over 10 million albums sold
- Korea’s best-selling album by a girl group – More & More (2020)
- First Korean girl group to hold a Japanese dome tour (2017)
TWICE experienced a meteoric rise after debuting with ‘Like Ooh-Aah’ and have continued being chart-toppers in Korea and Japan. They popularized the ‘color pop’ trend and have a very strong discography of hits like ‘What Is Love?’, ‘Cheer Up’ and ‘TT’.
Key Data Points
| Metric | Statistic |
|---|---|
| Total album sales | Over 10 million |
| YouTube subscribers | Over 16 million |
| Social media followers | Over 30 million across platforms |
TWICE remains one of the most successful K-pop girl groups both in Korea and Japan. Their album sales and tours prove their widespread popularity, making them contenders for #1 girl group.
And The Winner Is…
Analyzing the data and metrics, the K-pop group that emerges as #1 is…
BTS!
While ALL these groups have very impressive numbers and achievements, BTS has shown incredibly consistent growth across every metric over the past 5 years. Some key points:
- BTS is now the best-selling artist both in Korea and globally, surpassing even major Western stars
- They hold the record for best-selling album of all time in Korea (Map of the Soul: 7)
- BTS’ concert tickets and merch sell out globally within minutes, showing their immense fandom power
- BTS’ music videos consistently break YouTube records, getting hundreds of millions of views
- BTS won Artist of the Year at most major Korean and American awards shows
- BTS cracked the US mainstream market unlike any other Korean group
- They are the first K-pop group to be nominated for Grammy Awards (2020 and 2021)
By both numbers and achievements, BTS has proven themselves to be unprecedented trendsetters for K-pop worldwide. They have broken barrier after barrier and show no signs of slowing down. While senior groups like EXO and TWICE remain very popular, BTS’ consistent groundbreaking success makes them the undisputed #1 K-pop group today!
The Secret Behind BTS’ Success
There are several key factors that have contributed to BTS’ phenomenal rise:
- Authenticity – BTS co-writes/produces their own music and pours their heart into the lyrics. Fans feel emotionally connected.
- Work ethic – BTS is known for tireless effort, dropping multiple albums, mixtapes in a single year.
- Social media savvy – BTS uses social media and YouTube to create a personal connection with fans.
- Genre innovation – BTS’ music style evolves across genres from hip hop to EDM to pop, captivating new fans.
- Positive messages – BTS’ lyrics promote self-love, growth and positive thinking. Their ARMY lives by their message.
By combining genuine artistry, relatability, hip music and a kind personality, BTS has built an incredibly devoted fandom of millions worldwide – ARMY. There is no doubt BTS will continue breaking records and conquering new heights!
Conclusion
Evaluating multiple metrics like album sales, YouTube views, chart rankings, and awards, global phenomenon BTS emerges as the #1 K-pop group today. They have achieved unprecedented worldwide success that no other Korean group has managed before. With their chart-topping hits, powerful performances and humbleness, BTS has become the ‘biggest boy band in the world’. Other senior groups like EXO, SEVENTEEN and TWICE also enjoy immense popularity in Korea and Asia. However, no one matches BTS in terms of global dominance and consistency over the last 5 years. As BTS continues to break records and innovate musically, their reign as #1 K-pop group looks set to continue for the foreseeable future.