K-pop is one of the fastest-moving music industries in the world, where chart rankings, viral performances, and global tours can quickly change who’s leading the scene.
While a few artists have maintained worldwide fame for years, new acts continue to capture attention with record-breaking albums, streaming milestones, and passionate fan communities.
This ranking highlights the most popular K-pop groups, explains the factors behind their success, and spotlights rising names that are gaining momentum alongside today’s biggest stars.
Keep reading to see which groups made the list, learn what sets them apart, and find your next favorite K-pop act.
What Makes a K-pop Group Popular?
A K-pop group’s popularity goes far beyond catchy songs. While hit singles help attract listeners, long-term success comes from a combination of strong music, loyal fans, and consistent global visibility.
Streaming numbers on platforms like Spotify and YouTube, chart performance on Billboard, Circle Chart, and Melon, and physical album sales all reflect how well a group connects with audiences.
Many of today’s biggest groups strengthen their influence through brand partnerships, variety show appearances, and active fan communities that support every comeback.
This ranking considers all of these factors to provide a balanced look at the most popular K-pop groups today, rather than relying on popularity alone.
23 Most Popular K-pop Groups
Chart-topping veterans and fast-rising fourth-generation acts fill this list, shaping global K-pop fandom, sound, and streaming numbers right now.
1. BTS
Members: RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, Jungkook
Years Active: 2013–Present
Sub-genre: Hip-hop, Pop, R&B
Most Popular Song: “Dynamite”
BTS turned K-pop into a worldwide phenomenon with songs about identity, mental health, and self-growth.
Hits like “Dynamite,” “Permission to Dance” and “Butter,” topped global charts, while record-breaking albums, sold-out tours, and a passionate fanbase established them as one of the world’s most influential music groups.
2. BLACKPINK
Members: Jisoo, Jennie, Rosé, Lisa
Years Active: 2016–Present
Sub-genre: Hip-hop, EDM, Pop
Most Popular Song: “How You Like That”
BLACKPINK became a global sensation with powerful performances, trendsetting fashion, and chart-topping hits.
Songs like “How You Like That,” “Pink Venom,” and “Shut Down” earned billions of streams, while record-breaking tours and a historic Coachella headline performance expanded the global reach of female K-pop artists.
3. TWICE
Members: Nayeon, Jeongyeon, Momo, Sana, Jihyo, Mina, Dahyun, Chaeyoung, Tzuyu
Years Active: 2015–Present
Sub-genre: Bubblegum Pop
Most Popular Song: “Fancy”
TWICE gained global popularity with their upbeat pop sound, synchronized performances, and memorable hits like “Fancy,” “Feel Special,” and “Talk That Talk.”
They also became the first K-pop girl group to headline and sell out major U.S. stadium concerts.
4. Stray Kids
Members: Bang Chan, Lee Know, Changbin, Hyunjin, Han, Felix, Seungmin, I.N
Years Active: 2018–Present
Sub-genre: Hip-hop, EDM, Alt-pop
Most Popular Song: “S-Class”
Stray Kids gained global recognition with their self-produced music, bold sound, and explosive stage presence.
Led by the production unit 3RACHA, the group blends hip-hop, EDM, and alt-pop into powerful tracks like “S-Class,” “God’s Menu,” and “MANIAC,” earning multiple number-one albums on the Billboard 200 and a strong international fanbase.
5. SEVENTEEN
Members: S.Coups, Jeonghan, Joshua, Jun, Hoshi, Wonwoo, Woozi, DK, Mingyu, The8, Seungkwan, Vernon, Dino
Years Active: 2015–Present
Sub-genre: Pop, Hip-hop
Most Popular Song: “HOT”
SEVENTEEN stands out with its 13-member lineup divided into vocal, performance, and hip-hop units.
Hits like “HOT” and the record-breaking Face the Sun album helped establish the group as one of K-pop’s top-selling and most versatile acts.
6. NewJeans
Members: Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin, Hyein
Years Active: 2022–Present
Sub-genre: Y2K Pop, R&B
Most Popular Song: “Super Shy”
NewJeans quickly rose to global fame with their Y2K-inspired style, smooth R&B-pop sound, and viral choreography.
Hits like “Super Shy,” “Ditto,” and “OMG” topped charts worldwide, making them one of the fastest-rising fourth-generation K-pop groups.
7. ATEEZ
Members: Hongjoong, Seonghwa, Yunho, Yeosang, San, Mingi, Wooyoung, Jongho
Years Active: 2018–Present
Sub-genre: Hip-hop, EDM
Most Popular Song: “Guerrilla”
ATEEZ earned global recognition through powerful performances, cinematic storytelling, and a loyal international fanbase.
Hits like “Guerrilla,” “Bouncy,” and “Wonderland” fueled successful world tours and established them as one of K-pop’s strongest performance-focused groups.
8. EXO
Members: Xiumin, Suho, Lay, Baekhyun, Chen, Chanyeol, D.O., Kai, Sehun
Years Active: 2012–Present
Sub-genre: Pop, R&B
Most Popular Song: “Love Shot”
EXO became one of South Korea’s best-selling and most influential groups, known for smooth vocals, polished performances, and major hits like “Love Shot,” “Growl,” and “Ko Ko Bop.”
Their chart success through the 2010s, along with strong solo and acting careers, made them a lasting benchmark for K-pop longevity.
9. ENHYPEN
Members: Jungwon, Heeseung, Jay, Jake, Sunghoon, Sunoo, Ni-ki
Years Active: 2020–Present
Sub-genre: Pop, Hip-hop
Most Popular Song: “Sweet Venom”
ENHYPEN gained worldwide popularity after debuting through I-LAND, captivating fans with polished performances and cinematic concepts.
Songs like “Sweet Venom,” “Bite Me,” and “Drunk-Dazed” helped establish the group as one of the leading fourth-generation K-pop acts.
10. LE SSERAFIM
Members: Sakura, Kim Chaewon, Huh Yunjin, Kazuha, Hong Eunchae
Years Active: 2022–Present
Sub-genre: Pop, Hip-hop
Most Popular Song: “Antifragile”
LE SSERAFIM quickly gained global attention with their fearless image, powerful performances, and confident music.
Hits like “Antifragile,” “Unforgiven,” and “Perfect Night” achieved international success, establishing the group as one of the leading fourth-generation K-pop girl groups.
11. (G)I-DLE
Members: Miyeon, Minnie, Soyeon, Yuqi, Shuhua
Years Active: 2018–Present
Sub-genre: Pop, Hip-hop
Most Popular Song: “TOMBOY”
(G)I-DLE earned global recognition through their self-produced music, bold concepts, and genre-defying style.
Led by Soyeon, the group created hits like “TOMBOY,” “Nxde,” and “Queencard,” establishing themselves as one of K-pop’s most creative and influential girl groups.
12. ITZY
Members: Yeji, Lia, Ryujin, Chaeryeong, Yuna
Years Active: 2019–Present
Sub-genre: Pop, EDM
Most Popular Song: “WANNABE”
ITZY rose to global popularity with empowering music, energetic performances, and synchronized choreography.
Hits like “WANNABE,” “Dalla Dalla,” and “CAKE” showcased their confident style, making them one of the most successful fourth-generation girl groups under JYP Entertainment.
13. TXT (Tomorrow X Together)
Members: Soobin, Yeonjun, Beomgyu, Taehyun, Huening Kai
Years Active: 2019–Present
Sub-genre: Pop, Alt-rock
Most Popular Song: “Sugar Rush Ride”
TXT gained international recognition with coming-of-age stories, genre-blending music, and polished performances.
Hits like “Sugar Rush Ride,” “0X1=LOVESONG,” and “Deja Vu” helped the group achieve strong chart success in the U.S. and Japan, making them one of HYBE’s leading global acts.
14. Red Velvet
Members: Irene, Seulgi, Wendy, Yeri
Years Active: 2014–Present
Sub-genre: Pop, R&B
Most Popular Song: “Psycho”
Red Velvet became known for their unique dual concept, shifting between bright pop releases and smoother, moodier R&B tracks.
Hits like “Psycho,” “Bad Boy,” and “Red Flavor” helped them maintain a versatile sound and long-lasting popularity in K-pop.
15. NCT
Members: Rotating lineup across NCT U, NCT 127, NCT DREAM, and WayV
Years Active: 2016–Present
Sub-genre: Pop, Hip-hop, Experimental
Most Popular Song: “Kick It”
NCT stands out for its innovative multi-unit concept, allowing different teams to promote across global markets simultaneously.
Hits like “Kick It,” “Cherry Bomb,” and “Hot Sauce” showcase the group’s experimental sound and have helped build a large international fanbase across its various sub-units.
16. GOT7
Members: JAY B, Mark, Jackson, Jinyoung, Youngjae, BamBam, Yugyeom
Years Active: 2014–Present
Sub-genre: Pop, Hip-hop
Most Popular Song: “Just Right”
GOT7 earned global popularity with energetic performances, strong choreography, and fan-favorite songs like “Just Right,” “Lullaby,” and “Hard Carry.”
Even after leaving JYP Entertainment, the members continued group activities, maintaining a loyal international fanbase.
17. Monsta X
Members: Shownu, Minhyuk, Kihyun, Hyungwon, Joohoney, I.M
Years Active: 2015–Present
Sub-genre: Hip-hop, EDM
Most Popular Song: “Fantasia”
Monsta X built a global following with their powerful performances, hard-hitting sound, and energetic stage presence.
Hits like “Fantasia,” “Hero,” and “Love Killa” helped them become one of the first K-pop groups to reach the Billboard 200.
18. AB6IX
Members: Jeon Woong, Kim Dong-hyun, Lee Dae-hwi, Park Woo-jin
Years Active: 2019–Present
Sub-genre: Pop, R&B
Most Popular Song: “BREATHE”
AB6IX gained recognition for their self-produced music, smooth vocals, and emotional storytelling.
Songs like “BREATHE,” “The Answer,” and “Close” highlight the group’s artistic style, while consistent releases have helped them build a dedicated global fanbase.
19. TREASURE
Members: Choi Hyun-suk, Jihoon, Yoshi, Junkyu, Jaehyuk, Asahi, Doyoung, Haruto, Park Jeongwoo, So Junghwan
Years Active: 2020–Present
Sub-genre: Pop, Hip-hop
Most Popular Song: “MMM”
TREASURE gained international popularity for energetic performances, youthful charm, and powerful tracks such as “MMM,” “JIKJIN,” and “HELLO.”
Their strong fanbase, especially in Japan and Southeast Asia, has helped establish them as one of YG Entertainment’s leading fourth-generation groups.
20. ZEROBASEONE
Members: Sung Han-bin, Kim Ji-woong, Zhang Hao, Seok Matthew, Kim Tae-rae, Ricky, Kim Gyu-vin, Park Gun-wook, Han Yu-jin
Years Active: 2023–Present
Sub-genre: Pop
Most Popular Song: “In Bloom”
ZEROBASEONE quickly rose to fame after forming through Boys Planet, gaining attention for their bright pop sound, polished visuals, and strong fan support.
Hits like “In Bloom,” “Crush,” and “Feel the POP” helped them become one of the fastest-growing fourth-generation K-pop groups.
21. RIIZE
Members: Shotaro, Eunseok, Sungchan, Wonbin, Sohee, Anton
Years Active: 2023–Present
Sub-genre: Pop
Most Popular Song: “Get A Guitar”
RIIZE quickly gained attention with their fresh pop sound, youthful image, and polished performances.
Songs like “Get A Guitar,” “Love 119,” and “Boom Boom Bass” helped establish the group as one of SM Entertainment’s fastest-rising fifth-generation K-pop acts.
22. Super Junior
Members: Leeteuk, Heechul, Yesung, Shindong, Sungmin, Eunhyuk, Donghae, Siwon, Ryeowook, Kyuhyun
Years Active: 2005–Present
Sub-genre: Pop, Dance
Most Popular Song: “Sorry, Sorry”
Super Junior became one of K-pop’s most influential groups with iconic hits like “Sorry, Sorry,” “Mr. Simple,” and “Bonamana.”
Their lasting success, global tours, and continued group activities have made them one of the industry’s longest-running and most respected acts.
23. Girls’ Generation
Rising Groups to Watch
Popularity in K-pop shifts fast, and a handful of newer acts are already closing in on the established names.
RIIZE, backed by SM Entertainment, has built quick momentum with a lighter, youthful pop sound and strong early single performance.
ZEROBASEONE, formed through the survival show “Boys Planet,” posted some of the fastest first-week album sales among fourth-generation debuts.
KATSEYE, a multinational group formed through a joint venture between HYBE and Geffen Records, has drawn attention for its mixed English and Korean releases aimed at a wider global audience.
BABYMONSTER, YG Entertainment’s newest girl group, arrived with high expectations tied to the label’s BLACKPINK legacy and has quickly built a dedicated following.
Together, these four acts show where K-pop’s next wave of popularity is heading.
Conclusion
There’s no single answer to which K-pop group is the most popular, since the ranking depends on charts, streaming, and fandom size at any given moment.
What’s clear is that groups old and new are competing for that spot every year. Keep track of your favorites’ latest comebacks and milestones with more K-pop coverage on Gigwise.
Every fan has a different ranking. Leave a comment with your favorite K-pop group and let us know which artists you think deserve more recognition.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Which K-Pop Group Has the Most Fans Worldwide?
BTS has the largest worldwide K-pop fanbase, with millions of ARMY members supporting the group across more than 100 countries.
2. Who Is the Best-Selling K-Pop Group of All Time?
BTS is the best-selling K-pop group of all time, with over 50 million certified album sales worldwide across Korean and Japanese releases.
3. What K-Pop Group Is Trending Right Now?
BTS is currently the most trending K-pop group, followed by BLACKPINK, Stray Kids, LE SSERAFIM, and ILLIT.BTS is currently the most trending K-pop group, followed by BLACKPINK, Stray Kids, LE SSERAFIM, and ILLIT.
