The history of KPOP idols goes way back in time. It began when SM Entertainment formed a five-member boy band, H.O.T. in 1996. Everything else took off from there because other competing agencies started mass-producing idol groups, from Fin.K.L to Click-B. Today, the concept of idol groups attracts everyone from different age groups, and it has become part of KPOP culture. I think it’s time to take a trip down memory lane by re-exploring idol groups from the ’90s and figuring out their current successors now. (Note: they are not in any particular order).

1. Shinhwa
I love this group so much that I still listen to their old songs!! This six-member group stole my heart when they debuted. Back when they only sold tapes instead of CDs, I used to get their tapes and just spazz out just from looking at their pictures. They are the longest running idol group today! Although they are not active due to their military duties, I am sure they will come back and steal my heart again with their awesome songs! Meanwhile, check out their song “Eusha! Eusha!” from their debut album. This totally calls for the summer and the beach, right?

Their Successor of Today: I don’t think they have a successor group because they haven’t disbanded yet!

2. Sechskies
DSP Entertainment, which is a rival to SM Entertainment produced a six-member group named Sechskies (it’s pronounced like “Jack’s Kiss in Korean). During that time, H.O.T. fans and Sechskies fans were growling at each other because the competition was way too fierce. You either had to choose H.O.T. or Sechskies. I personally couldn’t decide then because I liked both of them equally. The sad thing is, I never purchased H.O.T.’s tapes (only bought Sechskies’s tape once). One of the songs from their fourth album (which I bought) contains one of my favorite songs that I still listen to today. It’s called “Yegam” (translates to “Premonition” in Korean). Their soothing voices in this song melted me completely.

Their Successor of Today: I think their successor group is SS501 because SS501 is from the same agency and also because SS501 is a rival group to DBSK and Super Junior (both under SM Entertainment).

3. G.O.D.
This group is the first group produced by the one and only JYP. Do I need to say anything besides that? G.O.D. was not a typical idol group because their style of music was completely different from that of H.O.T, Sechskies, etc. I guess you could say their style was more of R&B. The members did not look as attractive as other idol group members, but one thing that set them apart was their god-ly songs. All of their albums sold more than 1 million copies each. Yoon Kye Sang left the group to pursue an acting career, but the group is still intact, although they are on hiatus. Check out their song from their third album, “Lies.”

Their Successor of Today: I want to say either 2AM or 2PM because those two groups are currently produced by JYP. I personally think 2AM seems more fitting since they mostly sing ballad songs, like what G.O.D. sang.

4. H.O.T.
This group is the group that started the whole idol trend back in 1996. There were fans that followed them as if they were God. Back when I was little, I watched a news report about fans waiting outside the SM Entertainment building and crying. I seriously thought they were psychos, but I understand their feelings now since I am currently obsessed with two idol groups (I think you guys already know which groups I am talking about). Back to my point, although their popularity was quite short (they disbanded in 2001), they were able to make a huge impact on KPOP today. The song I want to show you guys is called “Happiness.” This happy song was later remade by Super Junior. hence why I think Super Junior is their current successor. DBSK can also make the cut, but for now Super Junior seems more appropriate.

Their Successor of Today: I think Super Junior is their current successor. DBSK can also make the cut, but for now Super Junior seems more appropriate, since they remade the song “Happiness.”

5. COOL
I am not sure if you guys know this trio, but they were super, super popular back in the 90s. All of their songs popular among all age groups! Formed in 1994, this group is still active! Their recent album was released in 2009. What’s more interesting is that this group consists of both male and female members. I wouldn’t really consider them as idols now, but they represent one of the popular groups from the 90s. Check out their song from their third album called “Woon Myung,” which means “Fate.” I remember them winning numerous awards from music shows because of this song!

Their Successor of Today: COOL can never be replaced in my opinion, so no successor groups for now.

6. Baby VOX
You can probably recognize some of the members of this group. Kan Mi Yeon and Yoon Eun Hye. Do they ring a bell? I am sure you do because they are very active in entertainment industry. They were a counterpart of SES and Fin.K.L because their image and their songs were contrasting. They sort of had sexy and mysterious appearance that won guy fans over. Baby VOX reached their name known through their third album, which included a lot of hits such as “Get Up” and “Killer.” That is when Yoon Eun Hye joined the group. Do you see a trend? It seems like most of the songs I picked out are from their third albums! This is totally 100% unintentional! Anyways, check out their song “Get Up.”

Their Successor of Today: If I had to choose a successor group for them, I would choose T-ara since T-ara can handle the sexy image very well.

7. SES
The famous SM Entertainment also formed SES in 1997. I think SME are super intelligent for producing so many great artists in the 90s and NOW! SES consisted of three members, Bada, Eugene, and Shoo, and they were kept as innocent and mysterious “fairies.” Soon after they debuted, other girl groups started making appearance, such as Fin.K.L and Baby VOX. There was an intense rivalry between Fin.K.L fans and SES fans, but SES still managed to stay popular and sell a lot of albums. When I was little, I purchased both SES and Fin.K.L tapes because I liked them both equally. However, if I had to choose one, I would go with SES (my bias towards SM artists started back then). They unfortunately broke up in 2002. Bada is currently a solo artist, Eugene is an actress (Check out King of Baking, Kim Tak Goo!), and Shoo is a musical actress/wife/mother. I would love to see them reunite once again and make awesome songs! Check out their song “Love” below!

Their Successor of Today: SNSD should be a perfect successor group, in my opinion. Their cute image won guys AND girls over, and their songs swept across the KPOP charts.

8. Fin.K.L
As mentioned above, SES and Fin.K.L were major rivals that caused a lot of fierce competition. DSP Entertainment created this group in 1998 as a counterpart of SES. I wasn’t fond of them at first when they debuted, but their second album sold me completely. I used to think they weren’t talented. After hearing Ok Joo Hyun’s voice, however, my thoughts about them changed. Even though they are not active anymore, each member is doing well in music and acting industries, especially Lee Hyori. She is now known as a sexy icon in KPOP industry! “Forever Love” is from their second album, and the music video shows their innocent and pure side. Check it out below!

Their Successor of Today: Since KARA is also under the same management now, they seem to be the perfect successor.

9. Click-B
This group is also formed by DSP Entertainment, (OMG how many groups did DSP form anyways?!) and this group had a unique style of music due to their rock/dance beats. There used to be seven members, but NOW there are only three. You might recognize one person from the group: Evan. He is now a solo artist, but back in the day, his idol-looking appearance attracted a lot of fans. One song that I chose to feature is from their 2001 album, but that shouldn’t matter because all of their songs from 90s were also great. It just happens that my favorite song from this group was made in 2001. Check out “To Be Continued…” below:

Their Successor of Today: Because of them adding a rock element, FT Island sounds like a good successor to me!

10. Lee Jung Hyun
Lee Jung Hyun came to the KPOP scene in 1999 when she released “Wa” (means “Come”). She was not afraid to try something weird and different. Her stage costumes became trendy after she started wearing them, and the choreography became a target of numerous parody videos. This tiny, petite girl was able to change her looks like a chameleon, which blew everyone away including your truly. Even though there was a controversy involved due to her singing abilities (people were able to lip synch back in the 90s), she was still popular among kids and teenagers. Check out “Wa” below! This techno song sounds weird at first, but you get used to it after a while.

Their Successor of Today: There are so many solo artists today, but I think she can still beat them easily, hence why she doesn’t need a successor yet!

What did you guys think? Sorry if this was too long. It’s just that I had a lot to say since I am a big fan of 90s songs. One thing to note is that the same agencies (SM Entertainment and DSP Entertainment) produced these successful bands, and they are producing more. If you guys do not agree, feel free to share your list!