K-Pop Turns 30 This Year — Here’s A Look At The Biggest Hits In The Music Genre’s History

Can you believe K-Pop is that old?

Did you know that the modern era of K-Pop can be traced back to roots that began all the way in 1992? Seo Taiji and Boys are considered to be the pioneers of the K-Pop industry, and they released their first song, “I Know”, 30 years ago this year! In order to celebrate the three decades of the K-Pop genre, here’s a look back at the 10 biggest K-Pop hits from different artists every five years since the music genre was started in 1992.

5 Years Ago (2017)

10. “Really Really” by WINNER

Released on April 4, this music video currently has 174 million views!

9. “Palette” by IU

Released on April 21, this music video currently has 178 million views!

8. “Never Ever” by GOT7

Released on March 12, this music video currently has 194 million views!

7. “Peek-A-Boo” by Red Velvet

Released on November 17, this music video currently has 219 million views!

6. “Don’t Wanna Cry” by SEVENTEEN

Released on May 22, this music video currently has 222 million views!

5. “New Face” by PSY

Released on May 10, this music video currently has 260 million views!

4. “Ko Ko Bop” by EXO

Released on July 18, this music video currently has 328 million views!

3. “Likey” by TWICE

Released on October 30, this music video currently has 555 million views!

2. “As If It’s Your Last” by BLACKPINK

Released on June 22, this music video currently has 1.13 billion views!

1. “DNA” by BTS

Released on September 18, this music video currently has 1.41 billion views!

10 Years Ago (2012)

10. “Twinkle” by Girls’ Generation-TTS

Released on April 30, this music video currently has 93 million views!

9. “MAMA” by EXO-K

Released on April 7, this music video currently has 96 million views!

8. “I Will Show You” by Ailee

Released on October 15, this music video currently has 97 million views!

7. “That XX” by G-Dragon

Released on August 31, this music video currently has 99 million views!

6. “Ice Cream” by HyunA

Released on October 21, this music video currently has 113 million views!

5. “Face” by NU’EST

Released on March 14, this music video currently has 124 million views!

4. “Alone” by SISTAR

Released on April 11, this music video currently has 128 million views!

3. “Electric Shock” by f(x)

Released on June 11, this music video currently has 136 million views!

2. “Fantastic Baby” by BIGBANG

Released on March 6, this music video currently has 501 million views!

1. “Gangnam Style” by PSY

Released on July 15, this music video currently has 4.33 billion views!

15 Years Ago (2007)

Note: Some of these music videos came out after 2007, though the songs themselves did get released 15 years ago!

10. “Coward” by SS501

Released on May 14, 2019, this music video currently has 128k views!

9. “Break It” by KARA

Released on May 22, 2019, this music video currently has 135k views!

8. “8:45 Heaven” by Drunken Tiger

Released on December 23, 2015, this music video currently has 619k views!

7. “Password 486” by Younha

Released on July 13, 2011, this music video currently has 1.22 million views!

6. “Wonder Boy” by Super Junior

Released on March 27, 2010, this music video currently has 1.34 million views!

5. “Fan” by Epik High

Released on May 24, 2011, this music video currently has 1.72 million views!

4. “Love Sick” by FTISLAND

Released on August 22, 2010, this music video currently has 5.84 million views!

3. “Tell Me” by Wonder Girls

Released on January 28, 2008, this music video currently has 18 million views!

2. “Into the New World” by Girls’ Generation

Released on June 2, 2011, this music video currently has 55 million views!

1. “Lies” by BIGBANG

Released on October 2, 2008, this music video currently has 69 million views!

20 Years ago (2002)

Note: As YouTube didn’t exist at this time, these are just 10 of the biggest albums of 2002 by release date! The same goes for the lists following this one as well.

10. Ssa2 by PSY

Released on January 1.

9. Choose My Life-U by S.E.S

Released on February 14.

8. Eternity by Fin.K.L

Released on March 8.

7. Suddenly by J-Walk

Released on March 21.

6. Perfect Man by Shinhwa

Released on March 29.

5. No. 1 by BoA

Released on April 14.

4. Bad Guy by Rain

Released on May 13.

3. Tell Me Baby by Isak N Jiyeon

Released on September 3.

2. Why Be Normal? by YG Family

Released on October 24.

1. Love Story by jtL

Released on December 16.

25 Years Ago (1997)

10. Jinusean by Jinusean

Released on March 1.

9. Deux Forever by Deux

Released on March 26.

8. Solidate by Solid

Released on April 24.

7. School Anthem by Sechskies

Released on May 14.

6. Turbo Summer Remix by Turbo

Released on June 24.

5. Wolf and Sheep by H.O.T

Released on July 5.

4. EQUALIZEHER by Baby V.O.X

Released on July 10.

3. Summer Jingle Bell by J.Y. Park

Released on September 1.

2. New Radiancy Group by NRG

Released on October 28.

1. I’m Your Girl by S.E.S

Released on November 1.

30 Years Ago (1992)

There were so few releases in the first year of K-Pop!

2. “I Know” by Seo Taiji and Boys

Released on March 23.

1. “Why Do You” by Chuli & Miae

Released sometime in 1992.