K-pop Songs That Can Make You Nostalgic

Korean pop culture has become a key driver of global culture through the Korean wave, or Hallyu, and at the heart of it all is K-pop. Every music enthusiast should at least give this super-genre a listen. K-pop is one of the most creative genres of music, drawing on subgenres and eras from all around the world to create their unique sound. Furthermore, K-pop enthusiasts are never bored. By the start of the 21st Century, the K-pop business had tanked, and early K-pop idol groups that had achieved popularity in the 1990s were in the fall. H.O.T. dissolved in 2001, while other bands like Sechs Kies, S.E.S., Fin. K.L, Shinhwa, and g.o.d went out of business by 2005. However, the success of the boy band TVXQ upon their debut in 2003 signalled the return of idol groups to Korean culture and the expansion of K-pop as part of Hallyu. The start of second-generation K-pop was followed by exceptional debuts. For any K-pop rookie who is unsure where to begin. So, here’s your guide to the most famous k-pop songs, from the earliest groups which will bring on pure Nostalgia.

1. TVXQ- MIROTIC

• YEAR- 2003
• MEMBERS- YUNHO, CHANGMIN, (former-JAEJOONG, YOOCHUN, JUNSU)

TVXQ is a famous Korean boyband currently consisting of 2 members debuted under SM Entertainment. Jaejoong, Yoochun and Junsu left the group and then debuted in a new group called JYJ.

2. SUPER JUNIOR- SORRY SORRY

• YEAR- 2005
• MEMBERS- Leeteuk, Heechul,  Yesung, Shindong, Sungmin, Eunhyuk, Donghae, Ryeowook, Kyuhyun.

Super Junior is a famous Korean Boy Band currently consisting of 10 members who debuted under SM Entertainment.

3. BIG BANG- BANG BANG BANG

• YEAR- 2006
• MEMBERS- G-DRAGON, T.O.P, TEYANG, DAESUNG, (former- SEUNGRI)

Big Bang currently contains 4 members: G-Dragon, T.O.P, Taeyang and Daesung, The youngest member  Seungri left the group in 2019 due to his involvement in the burning sun scandal.

4. BROWN EYED GIRLS- ABRACADABRA

• YEAR- 2006
• MEMBERS- JeA, MIRYO, NARSHA, GA-IN

Brown Eyed Girls is a famous Korean Girl Group who has 4 members debuted under.

5. WONDER GIRLS- TELL ME

• YEAR- 2007
• MEMBERS- YEEUN, YUBIN, SUNMI, HYELIM, (former- HYUNA, SOHEE, SUNYE) 

Wonder Girls is a famous Korean girl group consisting of 4 members who debuted under JYP Entertainment.

6. KARA- MISTER

• YEAR- 2007
• MEMBERS- GYURI, SEUNGYEON, HARA, YOUNGJI

Kara is a famous Korean girl group consisting of 4 members. Kara debuted in 2007 under DSP Media. Kara disbanded on January 14, 2016.

7. GIRLS GENERATION- GEE

• YEAR- 2007
• MEMBERS- TAEYEON, YURI, HYOYEON, SUNNY, YOONA, TIFFANY, SOOYOUNG, SEOHYUN, (former- JESSICA)

SNSD (Girl’s Generation) is an 8 member famous Korean girl group consisting of Taeyeon, Yuri, Hyoyeon, Sunny, Yoona, Tiffany, Sooyoung, and Seohyun. Tiffany, Sooyoung, and Seohyun left S.M. 

8. SHINEE- REPLAY

• YEAR- 2008
• MEMBERS- ONEW, KEY, MINHO, TAEMIN, JONGHYUN

Shinee is a famous Korean boy band currently consisting of 4 members. Jonghyun Passed away in December 2017.

9. 2 AM- THIS SONG

• YEAR- 2008
• MEMBERS- JOKWON, CHANGMIN, SEULONG, JINWOON

2 AM is a famous Korean boy band consisting of 4 members. They debuted under JYP entertainment in 2008.

10. 2 PM- HANDS UP

• YEAR- 2008
• MEMBERS- JUN K, NICKHUN, TAECYEON, WOOYOUNG, JUNHO, CHANGSUNG, (former- JAY PARK)

2 PM (투피엠) is a South Korean boy group currently consisting of 5 members. Jay Park their leader, left the group due to his scandal.

11. 2NE1- I AM THE BEST

• YEAR- 2008
• MEMBERS- CL, DARA, PARK BOM, MINZY

2NE1 is a famous Korean Girl Group consisting of 4 members that debuted under YG Entertainment. 2NE1 disbanded in 2016.

12. U- KISS- NEVERLAND

• YEAR- 2008
• MEMBERS- SOOHYUN, HOON, JUN.

U-KISS is a famous Korean Boy Band currently consisting of 3 members who debuted under NH Media in 2008. Kiseop and Eli left the group due to the non-renewal of the contract.

13. T-ARA- SUGAR FREE

• YEAR- 2009
• MEMBERS- QRI, EUNJUNG, HYOMIN, JIYEON

T-ara is a famous Korean girl group formed under MBK Entertainment consisting of 4 members.

14. F(X)- ELECTRIC SHOCK

• YEAR- 2009
• MEMBERS- VICTORIA, AMBER, LUNA, KRYSTAL, SULLI

f(x) is a famous South Korean girl group consisting of 4 members: Victoria, Amber, Luna, and Krystal. f(x) debuted under SM Entertainment. Sulli left the group in 2015 and passed away committing suicide in 2019.

15. B2ST- SHOCK

• YEAR- 2009 
• MEMBERS- YOON DOOJOON, YONG JUNHYUNG, YANG YOSEOB, LEE GI KWANG, SON DONGWOON, (former- JANG HYUNSEUNG)

B2st is a famous Korean boy band consisting of 5 members Yoon Doojoon, Yong Junhyung, Yang Yoseob, Lee Gikwang, who debuted under Cube Entertainment. Jang Hyunseung left the group in 2016.

16.  INFINITE- BE MINE

• YEAR- 2010 
• MEMBERS- SUNGKYU, DONWOO, WOOHYUN, SUNGYEOL, L, SUNGJONG, (former- HOYA)

Infinite is a famous Korean Boyband currently consisting of 6 members Sungkyu, Dongwoo, Woohyun, Sungyeol, L, and Sungjong debuted under Woolim Entertainment.  Hoya left the group in 2017 after his contract expired.

17. SISTAR- TOUCH MY BODY

• YEAR- 2010
• MEMBERS- HYORIN, BORA, SOYU, DASOM

SISTAR is a popular Korean girl group consisting of 4 members who duvet under Starship Entertainment with their song Push Push.

18. ORANGE CARAMEL- CATALLENA

• YEAR- 2010
• MEMBERS- RAINA, NANA, LIZZY

Orange Caramel is a famous Korean Girl Sub-group of After School and consists of 3 members Raina, Nana and Lizzy debuted under Pledis Entertainment.

19. MISS A- BAD GIRL GOOD GIRL

• YEAR- 2010
• MEMBERS- FEI, SUZY, (former- JIA, MIN)

Miss A is a famous Korean Girl Group currently consisting of Fei and Suzy debuted under JYP Entertainment. Jia and Min left the group and it was announced that Miss A disbanded.

20. GIRLS DAY- SOMETHING

• YEAR- 2010
• MEMBERS- SOJIN, YURA, MINAH, HYERI

Girl’s Day is a famous Girl Group currently consisting of 4 members: Sojin, Yura, Minah and Hyeri debuted under Dream Tea Entertainment in the year 2010. 

Hallyu has been growing for over two decades, but K-pop, in particular, has grown more visible to worldwide audiences in the last ten to twelve years. The Hallyu Wave has grown globally across the world so much, all thanks to the second-generation groups. The fans today who listen to their favourites is because of them.

Hope you like the songs we have included. If you have any other song that brings you nostalgia do share it in the comment section.