I recently shared the K-Pop artists I’d love to see live, and that list barely scratches the surface of all the groups I follow. So I am sharing the artists that I keep up with.
I’ve divided them into three groups: “Top Priority” (meaning my ult artists that I pay the most attention to and will listen to everything they release when they release it), “In The Know” (artists that I know a fair bit about beyond their music, but don’t keep as close attention to as the previous group), and “Keep An Eye On” (meaning artists that I will check out their new music when it releases, but my attention is more focused on their discography than anything else.) With that explained, let’s get started.
Top Priority
BTS
BTS is the group that started it all for me, all starting during my birthday when in lockdown and I decided to just check them out more. And since my birthday is the day after their debut anniversary, they had released the We Are Bulletproof: the Eternal music video. After all of my research, watching this video for the first time made me emotional and I finally understood why they are so beloved. And I’ve been with them ever since.
Stray Kids
It was a good while after I had first listened to Stray Kids that I actually got really into them. Their song “Miroh” had been on my K-Pop playlist long before I actually knew them. They were the first group after BTS that I decided to check out further and now they are my second favorite artist of all.
In The Know
Ateez
Ateez has recently moved up in my attention mainly because I didn’t know why they weren’t already. I’ve loved a lot of their music for a while, so it was time to learn more.
Tomorrow X Together
I find it natural to check out groups within the same company as a favorite, so of course after falling for BTS I then had to go see what TxT offered. And if my going to see them on tour isn’t enough indicator of how I feel about them, I don’t know what else is.
Monsta X
Monsta X was one of the earliest groups I started listening to more in-depth after BTS and Stray Kids. I don’t follow nearly as closely as I did before, but I still follow them more than many others.
NCT 127
Of all of the NCT subunits, NCT 127 is my personal favorite so I follow them more closely than the others. They have great title tracks and even better b-sides, so I like listening to their discography more in-depth than others.
Purple Kiss
Ever since they released their pre-debut songs I have loved Purple Kiss and they have yet to disappoint me. I own every album and look forward to each comeback. I’ve mentioned numerous times how I want them to get a lightstick and want to see them live.
AleXa
I don’t follow many soloists very closely, so AleXa is truly special in that regard. I like her overall concept a lot and enjoy the girl crush vibes she usually does, as well as her softer songs.
Twice
Twice really snuck up on me. I didn’t see myself getting that into them, but their discography is undeniably great. I do prefer their more mature concepts that we’ve been getting lately, but even their bubblier, older stuff is too good to ignore.
(G)I-DLE
Tomboy solidified my fan status, but I had been listening to them for a while before. I admittedly like their earlier concepts more, but their songs overall are pretty great.
XG
They really came out here with a music style that was unexpected and has been amazing ever since. I’m really looking forward to their future music and for a full album especially.
Seventeen
It all started from wondering why a group named Seventeen didn’t have seventeen members. Now I listen to each comeback as well as subunits and solos.
Kang Daniel
The fact I found Kang Daniel because he made the music video for “Who U Are” as an ad on YouTube is wild to me. I’ve been following him ever since.
Ten
Ten is my favorite member in all of NCT. His voice is amazing and his dance skills wonderful. I really, really want him to get an official solo debut.
SuperM
Although they have been quiet for a while and their future is a little uncertain, I really enjoy what SM’s first super group has done. I’ve enjoyed and own both albums and would like to see them perform if possible one day.
Le Sserafim
If you couldn’t already tell, I tend to follow male artists over female artists. But Le Sserafim has been on my radar since the start and “Antifragile” really sealed the deal. I like their concept and most of their songs and look forward to what they do next.
Keep an Eye On
I won’t get into a lot of detail for this category. Generally speaking, I like to keep an eye on these artists because I enjoy their music and like to know what they release next. They always get reviewed in my monthly quick takes, and I may listen to their b-sides eventually.
Cix
Enhypen
3YE
aespa
SF9
Taemin
GreatGuys
Cravity
Everglow
P1Harmony
Wonho
Kingdom
The Boyz
IVE
BZ-Boys
AB6IX
Tri.Be
Golden Child
Craxy
Bonus!
These artists I can’t help but be aware of due to their popularity, mainstream success, name recognition, or the popularity and power of their company. This definitely isn’t all of them, but a lot of them. I check them out occasionally but don’t follow them beyond that.
Itzy, Red Velvet, Kep1er, NewJeans, EXO, NCT Dream, Mamamoo, SHINee, Exo, IU, Dreamcatcher, Kard, Oneus, OnlyOneOf, Treasure, Ghost9, Highlight, VeriVery, A.C.E., etc.
What K-Pop artists do you love? Share them with me in a comment.