K-Pop Korner: K-Pop Favorites

By Zoe Nix--Eagle Staff Writer

To finish this funky year off, I figured I'd go over my top tens of K-Pop, starting with...

TOP TEN BOY GROUPS

1. TO1

TO1 showing off their love for Togethers (Photo Used Under the Fair Use Provision of the US Copyright Code)

As you know from the TO1 album review I did a little while ago, I'm a major fan of TO1. They debuted in April of 2020 with Jaeyun, Chihoon, Donggeon, Chan, Jisu, Minsu, J. You, Kyungho, Jerome, and Woonggi (my favorite). They are one of my all time favorite boy groups and I go wild whenever I see them. They just debuted last year, but they've already shown how talented a group of rookies can be. They're songs are art, their choreographies are stunning, everything about them is just so pleasing.

1. Magnolia

2. Count 1,2

3. Son of Beast

2. Cravity

Cravity pose for a group photo. (Photo Used Under the Fair Use Provision of the US Copyright Code)

Cravity is a nine membered group under Starship Entertainment (aka the same company as Monsta X and girl group WJSN). They consist of Serim, Allen, Jungmo, Woobin, Wonjin (my favorite), Minhee, Hyeongjun, Taeyoung, and Seongmin. These guys are so funny and so talented and so worth checking out.

1. Break All the Rules

2. Flame

3. My Turn

3. P1Harmony

P1Harmony takes a photo as they wait for their turn to perform. (Photo Used Under the Fair Use Provision of the US Copyright Code)

P1Harmony is a six membered group under FNC Entertainment (SF9, Cherry Bullet, AOA, etc,.). Their members are Keeho, Jiung (my favorite), Intak, Soul, and Jongseob. They debuted last November and have been an instant hit. It's really easy to say that when all the members are comedic geniuses. They all seem to enjoy each other's presence and just being together and I love that kind of chemistry in groups.

1. Siren

2. Scared

4. Stray Kids

Stray Kids strike a pose backstage. (Photo Used Under the Fair Use Provision of the US Copyright Code)

Stray Kids debuted back in 2018 under JYP Ent. (GOT7, TWICE, ITZY, etc,.). The members, Bang Chan, Lee Know, Changbin, Hyunjin, Han (one of my favorites), Felix (my other favorite), Seungmin, and IN, were brought together through an idol formation show. You can tell these guys work really hard to make good music and a good show and, to me, they are pulling it off 110%. They're very humorous, very energetic, and very supportive of fans, called Stays.

1. Miroh

2. God's Menu

3. Back Door

5. Verivery

Verivery form a heart for Verrers. (Photo Used Under the Fair Use Provision of the US Copyright Code)

Verivery is a seven membered group that debuted in 2019 under Jellyfish Ent. (VIXX, Gugudan, etc,.). The guys, Dongheon, Hoyoung, Minchan, Gyehyeon, Yeonho, Yongseung (my favorite), and Kangmin, are so much fun to watch and listen to. They're talented vocalists and really, truly funny. Minchan went on break for the past couple months and he's finally back, which is something to really enjoy too!

1. Lay Back

2. G.B.T.B

3. Get Away

6. OnlyOneOf

OnlyOneOf takes off to perform. (Photo Used Under the Fair Use Provision of the US Copyright Code)

OnlyOneOf debuted in 2019 under 8D Creative with members KB, Love (my favorite), Rie, Yoojung, Junji, Mill, and Nine. These guys go above and beyond with their music, testing out all sorts of concepts for dance and songs, no matter what anyone else thinks. Not only are they musically talented, they also edit a lot of their own videos and vlogs. Junji's (the guy with the long hair) are usually the most funny to me.

1. Angel

2. Sage

3. LibidO

7. E'LAST

E'Last prepare to promote their debut track "Swear". (Photo Used Under the Fair Use Provision of the US Copyright Code)

E'last debuted in 2020 under E Ent. with members Choi In (One of my favorites), Rano, Seungyeop, Baekgyeul, Romin, Wonhyuk (My other favorite), Wonjun, and Yejun. Their title track sound isn't really my taste, but their side track "Dangerous" is what finally convinced me to stan them and have not regretted it since. They are very talented and very worth taking a look at.

1. Tears of Chaos

2. Dangerous

3. The Beginning of Spring

8. SHINee

SHINee back together after three years of being seperated by military duties. (Photo Used Under the Fair Use Provision of the US Copyright Code)

SHINee is my absolute favorite boy group of all time. They debuted back in 2009 with members Onew, Jonghyun, Key, Minho, and Taemin (my favorite) under SM Ent. (Red Velvet, NCT, EXO, etc,.). ALL of their songs are great, every single one of them. They've been debuted for so long that they really don't care about appearing serious or being of a certain standard so they're comedy is at an all time peak.

1. Don't Call Me

2. Atlantis

3. Sherlock

9. Kingdom

Kingdom poses after filming their debut music video in their armor. (Photo Used Under the Fair Use Provision of the US Copyright Code)

Kingdom debuted with Dann (my favorite), Arthur, Mujin, Louis, Ivan, Jahan, and Chiwoo this past February under GF Ent. They just debuted four months ago and I'm already very, very attached. They've got this whole knights of the round table concept going and each member represents a different king or era. We started with Arthur and the next album is coming out on June 30th.

1. Excalibur

10. BTS

BTS have a photo taken during an interview. (Photo Used Under the Fair Use Provision of the US Copyright Code)

Last, but certainly not least, is BTS, the world record breaking, global phenomenon of a group. With RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook singing since 2013, their talent and popularity has went off the charts like dynamite. They were the first ever group I listened to and the first I ever stanned and I'm thankful each and every day that I decided to listen to them and learn their names. I wouldn't be where I am now without them.

1. Dynamite

2. Butter

3. Boy with Luv

TOP 10 GIRL GROUPS

1. Red Velvet

Red Velvet pose in front of a stairwell at a music show. (Photo Used Under the Fair Use Provision of the US Copyright Code)

Red Velvet debuted in 2014 with Irene, Wendy, Seulgi (my favorite), Joy, and Yeri under SM Ent. SM always has no trouble picking gorgeous vocalists for their groups and Red Velvet is a perfect example of that. I live solely to hear these women sing and I find no shame in that. Like SHINee, I have listened to all their songs and I could keep on listening to them for the rest of eternity, they're just so good!

1. Zimzalabim

2. Red Flavor

3. Peek-a-boo

2. TWICE

TWICE pose cutely after a performance. (Photo Used Under the Fair Use Provision of the US Copyright Code)

TWICE debuted in 2015 with Jihyo, Nayeon, Jeongyeon, Momo (my favorite), Sana, Mina, Dahyun (my other favorite), Chaeyoung, and Tzuyu under JYP Ent. They were formed through the idol formation show "Sixteen". I was always a fan of TWICE, but ever since "Fancy" back in 2019, I have been living for these girls. Their sound just shifted and I am totally here for that. They're all so pretty and so deserving of all the love and support and they get.

1. Fancy

2. Can't Stop Me

3. TT

3. TRI.BE

Tri.be take a photo as they wait to perform on a music show. (Photo Used Under the Fair Use Provision of the US Copyright Code)

TRI.BE debuted with Songsun, Kelly, Jinha, Hyunbin, Jia, Soeun, and Mire (my favorite) in 2021 under TR Ent. Yet again, another group who debuted this year that I am completely and utterly attached to. These girls are so talented and so amazing and I've enjoyed watching them as artists since their debut. They genuinely don't feel like a rookie group, they're so good.

1. Doom Doom ta

2. Rub A Dum

4. GWSN

GWSN waiting for their turn to perform. (Photo Used Under the Fair Use Provision of the US Copyright Code)

GWSN debuted in 2018 with Seoryoung (my favorite), Seokyoung, Anne, Minju, Soso, Miya, and Lena under The Wave Music. GWSN's sound is just totally out of this world. It's unlike any other group I've ever heard and they pair it beautifully with elegant, difficult choreo. Soso was on break to do a leg injury prior to debut, but has come back for their latest comeback "Like it Hot"!

1. Puzzle Moon

2. Red Sun

3. Like it Hot

5. Pixy

Pixy take a quick pic in a recording studio. (Photo Used Under the Fair Use Provision of the US Copyright Code)

Pixy debuted in 2021 with Ella, Lola, Satbyeol (my favorite), Dia, Sua, and Dajeong under All Art Ent. Their performances are beyond stunning and they aren't afraid to use props or create stories with their dance, which is something that I absolutely love. They all seem to get along so well with each other and their songs are impeccable.

1. Wings

2. Let Me Know

6. Pink Fantasy

Pink Fantasy's Lemon Candy promotional concept photo. (Photo Used Under the Fair Use Provision of the US Copyright Code)

Pink Fantasy currently consists of Seea, Yechan, Arang, Harin (my favorite), and Daewang and they debuted in 2018 under Mydoll Ent. Pink Fantasy just has such a unique concept and I absolutely love it. Their songs and music videos are based on fairytales and they even have a hidden member, Daewang! She's wearing the cat mask above, but usually she sports a rabbit mask that pretty much covers her whole head. Daewang won't reveal her whole face until they win their first award.

1. Iriwa

2. Shadow Play

3. Lemon Candy

7. Lunarsolar

Lunarsolar take a group selfie after dance practice. (Photo Used Under the Fair Use Provision of the US Copyright Code)

Lunarsolar debuted with Eseo, Jian, Taeryoung, and Yuuri (my favorite) in 2020 under Jplanet Ent. These girls are like my everything. They're adorable, talented, and have great personalities. Everything you could want and more. In their dance practice videos you can tell that they work super hard and still manage to have as much fun as possible and I love that.

1. Oh Ya Ya Ya

2. Da Da Da

8. Bling Bling

Bling Bling pose for cameras before their debut showcase. (Photo Used Under the Fair Use Provision of the US Copyright Code)

Bling Bling debuted in 2020 under Major9 with Yubin, Jieun, Ayamy, Marin (my favorite), Juhyun, and Narin. These ladies have got mad style and I live for it. I'm always looking at their photos on Twitter to see what they're wearing today. Their songs are mad catchy too! I catch myself humming them all. The. Time. Their choreos are fantastic and I genuinely can't stop watching them.

1. GGB

2. LA LA LA

3. Oh Mama

9. LOONA

Loona pose outside for a quick group photo. (Photo Used Under the Fair Use Provision of the US Copyright Code)

Loona debuted in 2018 under Blockberry Creative with Haseul, Vivi (one of my favorites), Yves, JinSoul, Kim Lip, Chuu, Heejin, Gowon, Choerry, Olivia Hye, and Yeojin (my other favorite). Yes, yes, it's the ever popular Loona, but have you have you listened to them? They've got massive vocal talent and they're so hilarious. I'm sure this has been heard quite a bit, but, stan Loona.

1. Butterfly

2. So What?

3. Why Not?

10. Hot Issue

Hot Issue take a photo as they wait to perform on a music show. (Photo Used Under the Fair Use Provision of the US Copyright Code)

Hot Issue debuted in 2021 under S2 Ent. with Nahyun, Mayna, Hyeongshin, Dana, Yewon (my favorite), Yebin and Dain. I haven't even learned all the girls' names and I've already become attached. I really like their style and I hear massive potential whenever I listen to their debut mini-album. They're going to make it big, I just know it.

1. GRATATA

This wraps up K-Pop Korner for the 20-21 school year. It's been a wild and wacky year, but we've made it. Thank you FC and enjoy your summer.