- 5/24/2025
From legendary solo artists to iconic girl groups, join us as we celebrate the most influential women who shaped K-pop history! Our countdown showcases powerhouse vocals, groundbreaking performances, and unforgettable hits that revolutionized the industry. Which of these queens deserves the crown?
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00:00Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we're counting down our picks for the most talented ladies who
00:09run K-pop. We're looking at both soloists and girl groups so that no queens are left behind.
00:23Number 20. G-IDOL
00:25Unapologetically fierce, this girl group isn't afraid to push the boundaries of K-pop.
00:29With their feminist lyrics and innovative concepts, G-IDOL has established a reputation for making music that matters.
00:40From the empowering anthem Superlady to the satirical jab at the patriarchy in WIFE,
00:45this group's discography is filled with gems.
00:48A lot of this freedom of expression comes from the fact that leader Soyeon produces most of the team's work herself.
01:01This allows for experimentation, personal conviction, and diverse perspectives to seep into the music.
01:07Needless to say, the K-pop industry needs G-IDOL.
01:09Number 19. Esper
01:15It's not easy to nail a futuristic concept in art. Too often, it can come across as either far-fetched or not ambitious enough.
01:26However, Esper manages to strike the perfect balance.
01:29Since its inception, the group has incorporated the rather modern idea of a metaverse into its music.
01:34The members have avatars in a virtual reality, and this aspect isn't abandoned as a one-time gimmick or buzzword.
01:40Rather, there's lore to the group that unfolds through music videos and other related content.
01:45However, it doesn't just stop there.
01:50Esper's musicality echoes their avant-garde worldview through genres like hyper-pop and electro-clash.
01:56Clearly, they're generation-defining for a reason.
01:58Number 18. Chung-a
02:02Some celebrities radiate star power just by existing.
02:05That's Chung-a for you.
02:07I just pick them out like...
02:10From the moment she appeared on our screens as a contestant on the competition show Produce 101, she stole our hearts.
02:17Spoiler alert, she was one of the winners and eventually became a member of the project girl group IOI.
02:22While her career as an idol was undoubtedly prolific, it is her work as a soloist that has captivated fans worldwide.
02:36With her smouldering charisma and show-stopping stage presence, Chung-a has a chokehold on fans.
02:41Her brand of pop is alluring, and her choreography never fails to impress.
02:45Now that's a complete package.
02:51Number 17. BB
02:52If you're a K-pop fan, you've probably heard about the issue of oversaturation in the industry.
02:57BB entered the scene during a time when a breath of fresh air was desperately needed, and she delivered.
03:09The low-life princess singer unleashed a refreshing wave of audacious music that dared to step outside the conventions of K-pop.
03:16Her husky voice and bold lyrics, hip-hop and R&B influences present the image of a strong and defiant woman
03:21who doesn't care about looking perfect, although she is drop-dead gorgeous.
03:33She calls herself the B-word as a way of reclaiming it, and it turns around to give us the fairy-tale-esque
03:39Ponyoung gang, proving her versatility.
03:41We can't wait to see what she has in store for us next.
03:44No conversation about trailblazers in K-pop would be complete without this legendary group.
03:58Before K-pop was an unwavering presence on international charts,
04:05Wonder Girls became the first-ever South Korean artist to debut on the Billboard Hot 100.
04:10Walking an untrodden path, they made significant efforts for K-pop to break into the U.S. market
04:15and even toured with the Jonas Brothers.
04:17So they were not only ahead of their time, but also broke new ground for future artists.
04:21I want nobody, nobody but you
04:24Musically, Wonder Girls is known for their retro style,
04:27which is why their songs continue to resonate with younger fans,
04:30looking to tap into the nostalgia of a time they never experienced.
04:33Add to that their catchy choreographies, and you have the recipe for lasting success.
04:44No one does sexy like this icon.
04:47Hwasa, the epitome of confidence and self-love, makes body positivity addictively fun.
04:52Although she once struggled with it herself,
04:54her hit song, I Love My Body, proves that she's healing with her fans.
05:02Hwasa is also rather fond of expressing her vulnerabilities through her art.
05:05For instance, Maria delves into the toll fame has taken on her mental health.
05:09Similarly, I'm a B signifies how life in the fast lane
05:17caused her to miss out on what's really important, her loved ones.
05:21However, she's far from being preachy or over-serious all the time.
05:24Tracks like Chilli are definitely for the club.
05:26This duality isn't surprising,
05:28given that her group Mamamoo is also known and beloved for being multifaceted.
05:32Number 14, Red Velvet
05:40The RV girls are the definition of elegance with edge.
05:43On the one hand, you get peppy dance pop and bright concepts,
05:47representing the red in their name.
05:48In stark contrast, their music videos are peppered with hidden messages
05:51and dark, mysterious undertones,
05:54justifying the mature velvet aspect.
05:56The members boast elite vocal, dance, and rap abilities,
06:04which naturally elevate their music to a level above the rest.
06:08Each of them also have unique artistic sensibilities,
06:10which are beautifully highlighted through the group's music,
06:13as well as their solo endeavors.
06:22The cherry on the red velvet cake is the team's visual direction,
06:25which integrates myriad concepts,
06:27while staying true to their core identity.
06:30Fun fact, they even performed in North Korea.
06:38Number 13, Suzy
06:39Pei Soo-ji, better known as Suzy,
06:42rose to fame in girl group Miss A,
06:44alongside fellow band members Fe, Ja, and Min.
06:47Miss A officially disbanded in 2017,
06:57but Suzy has become a solo artist in her own right,
07:00with the successful release of her first solo album,
07:02which includes the smash Yes, No, Maybe.
07:04She's also proved herself as an in-demand award show hostess,
07:16brand ambassador,
07:16and successful movie and TV actress to boot.
07:19That's less being a triple threat,
07:21and more of a quintuple threat.
07:23Or more.
07:24Seeing as how she's so busy,
07:25it's a surprise she even has time to sing.
07:28Number 12, Sun-mi.
07:29Choosing to take hiatus from a successful position
07:31in the entertainment industry is risky business,
07:34which is why Sun-mi is such a fascinating case.
07:44Originally a member of Wonder Girls,
07:46Sun-mi left the group in 2010 to pursue an academic career.
07:49Now, that's not something you hear every day.
07:51Sun-mi returned in 2013,
07:53rebranded as a solo artist.
07:55She released her single 24 Hours to critical acclaim.
07:57Since then, Sun-mi has gone from strength to strength,
08:00even popping up another time in Wonder Girls,
08:03and again as a solo artist with her song,
08:05Gashina.
08:09Number 11, Ailee.
08:11Ailee, whose real name is Amy Lee,
08:13moved from Colorado to Korea in 2010.
08:15HALINE!
08:17We are HALINE!
08:21In 2011,
08:22her incredible televised version of Beyonce's HALO
08:24skyrocketed her to fame.
08:26The performance went viral,
08:28earning Ailee the perfect,
08:29if fairly obvious,
08:30nickname for an artist with such a powerful,
08:33versatile voice and presence,
08:35the Korean Beyonce.
08:36Since then,
08:36Ailee has guest starred on the South Korean TV show
08:39Dream High 2,
08:40and performed on just about all of South Korea's singing shows,
08:43even performing the closing song of the 2018 Paralympics.
08:46Number 10, Taeyeon.
08:56Kim Taeyeon,
08:57better known as Taeyeon,
08:58debuted as a member of Girls' Generation in 2007.
09:01She eventually decided,
09:02like so many artists before her,
09:04to try out a solo career.
09:06In 2015,
09:06she emerged with her first offering,
09:08I,
09:08which reached number two
09:10on South Korean's Kaon album chart.
09:12I, I, I, I, I, I, I,
09:15my life is so beautiful.
09:20Its title track sold over a million digital copies.
09:23Her second EP,
09:24Why?
09:25bettered that by rocketing all the way to number one.
09:28Taeyeon has since gone on to win a boatload of awards,
09:30including four Golden Disc Awards,
09:32two Mnet Asian Music Awards,
09:34two Soul Music Awards.
09:35We could go on,
09:36but you get the point.
09:37Number 9,
09:38Parkbomb.
09:39There's a reason why this name will always be etched in K-pop fans' minds,
09:42Parkbomb is sunshine personified
09:44and has spent her career spreading happiness and positivity
09:47without shying away from candor.
10:00As a part of the legendary 21,
10:03she contributed significantly to the Korean wave.
10:05But after the group disbanded,
10:07she started focusing on her own music.
10:09Endearing tracks like Spring resonated with fans,
10:12landing her on Billboard's World Digital Song Sales Chart.
10:23She continued promoting solo
10:24and even competed on Mnet's Queendom,
10:27impressing fans.
10:28Then, 21 got back together for their Welcome Back Tour
10:30and everyone cheered.
10:32Despite her health struggles,
10:33Parkbomb remains a bright presence in the music world,
10:36with millions of fans to love and support her.
10:38So, hey baby,
10:40please don't cry
10:42When I get no hang,
10:44it's good like you're mine
10:45Number 8,
10:47TWICE
10:47This group is the beating heart of the bubblegum pop world.
10:51TWICE has cemented a permanent place for itself
10:53in the golden pages of K-pop's history
10:54for several reasons.
10:55First of all,
11:05the members are immensely beloved,
11:06as both idols and role models.
11:08The sheer talent in each of them
11:09leaves no room for disappointment.
11:11Secondly,
11:12the group outdoes their own achievements
11:13with every new release.
11:15Finally,
11:15the Powerhouse Collective keeps it real.
11:17The girls are not afraid to connect with their fans sincerely,
11:30bearing their real selves.
11:32So,
11:32you relate to them
11:33when they're candid about their struggles
11:34and are inspired by them
11:36when they overcome their difficulties.
11:38All this to say,
11:39a dose of twice a day
11:40keeps the blues away.
11:41Number 7,
11:51CL
11:51Give it up for the baddest female, everyone.
11:54CL,
11:54the leader of 21,
11:55is the undisputed queen of rap
11:57in the K-pop industry.
12:05Her unique flow and lyricism
12:07have always set her apart from the rest,
12:09and her stage presence is downright regal.
12:12So,
12:12her international success
12:13didn't come as a surprise
12:14when the world found out
12:15about the fire she spits.
12:17Just when fans thought
12:18she couldn't get any more powerful,
12:19she dropped her solo album,
12:21Alpha,
12:21showing everyone who's boss.
12:28This record is a proud display
12:29of her range as a rapper
12:30and singer-songwriter,
12:32ushering a new chapter of CL.
12:34As a bonus,
12:3521 is back too.
12:36What a time to be a blackjack, right?
12:39All hail the reigning queens of K-pop.
12:51Blackpink has left no stone unturned
12:53when it comes to dominating the music industry.
12:59When they release new music,
13:01BP's name is plastered on charts.
13:03In between albums,
13:04the members are making waves
13:06in the fashion industry
13:07as brand ambassadors
13:08for the biggest luxury houses.
13:16More recently,
13:17they've been focusing on their solo music too.
13:20Rosé's collaboration with Bruno Mars
13:22has the world singing APT.
13:24Jennie's boss babe persona
13:25takes center stage in her album Ruby.
13:28Jisoo is effortlessly chic as always
13:30in our Mortage.
13:31Similarly,
13:32Lisa has us wrapped around her finger
13:34with alter ego.
13:35Take your pick.
13:36They're all dynamos.
13:41Number five,
13:43Yunha.
13:43An incredibly successful
13:45and meaningful career
13:46spanning over two decades
13:47is something artists dream of.
13:50Yunha has achieved it.
13:51The songstress behind
13:52iconic anime OSTs
13:53like Pokeboshi from Bleach
13:55and Kiyoku from Ride Back
13:57is blessed with an ethereal voice.
14:05It's as powerful in a rock track
14:07as it is in a ballad,
14:08but it can also deliver
14:09a killer EDM bop.
14:11That said,
14:11it's her songwriting
14:12that deserves the highest praise.
14:13Yunha's flair for poetry
14:24shines through in her lyrics,
14:26which can transport you
14:27to another world.
14:28This quality was particularly evident
14:30in her album End Theory.
14:31So if you ever need a warm hug
14:33in the form of a song,
14:34tune in to Yunha.
14:35The OG diva of K-pop
14:55continues to exercise
14:56as much influence
14:57on the industry today
14:58as she did in the aughts.
14:59Lee Hyo-ri,
15:00who started as a member
15:01of Pinkul,
15:02forged a formidable
15:03solo career
15:04that's lauded to this day.
15:10She further became
15:11an entertainment fixture
15:12through variety shows
15:13like Family Outing
15:14and Hyo-ri's Homestay,
15:15while also dedicating
15:16her time to animal welfare.
15:18Her music career
15:19got a second wind
15:19through project groups
15:20like Sakusuri
15:22with Yoo Jae-sock and Rain
15:23and Refund Sisters,
15:25alongside Am Jeon-wa,
15:26Hwasa and Jessie.
15:28She was also the inspiration
15:29behind the viral
15:302000s makeup trend
15:31that was set to the tune
15:32of her track 10 Minutes.
15:33In conclusion,
15:34Hyo-ri's and It Girl,
15:36always and forever.
15:46Number 3,
15:47Girls' Generation
15:48The nation's girl group,
15:49also called SNSD,
15:51was a trailblazing force
15:52in the early stages
15:53of K-pop's global expansion.
15:55They set the standards
15:55so high
15:56with their unprecedented achievements
15:57that the industry
15:58had no option
15:59but to shape up.
16:00Girl!
16:00Each member is a revelation,
16:04oozing great talent and skill,
16:06but Girls' Generation
16:07is greater than the sum
16:08of its parts.
16:09They offer an experience
16:10unlike anything
16:11you have seen before
16:11and are grown by
16:12leaps and bounds for this.
16:14Tell me why
16:16Today they are legends,
16:21but the members
16:22continue to reinvent themselves
16:23in their individual careers.
16:25Occasionally,
16:25they also unite
16:26for special projects
16:27like the Forever One album,
16:28released in celebration
16:29of their 15th debut anniversary.
16:32It goes without saying,
16:33we can never have enough
16:34Girls' Generation.
16:35Number 2,
16:42IU
16:42Calling this songbird
16:43an angel
16:44would be an understatement.
16:50South Korea's
16:51pride and joy,
16:52IU,
16:53is as well known
16:53for her award-winning music
16:55and phenomenal acting
16:56as she is
16:57for her philanthropy.
16:59She took to art
16:59at a very young age,
17:00but getting a foot in the door
17:01was difficult
17:02as she dealt with frauds.
17:04Once she spread her wings,
17:05she soared beyond the skies.
17:12IU's music is characterized
17:13by deeply personal storytelling,
17:15often inspired
17:16by her own life.
17:17They're warm,
17:18uplifting,
17:19and comforting,
17:19speaking to the soul
17:20and the human condition.
17:22On top of her strong discography,
17:24she is also acclaimed
17:25for her concerts,
17:26which she puts
17:27her whole heart into.
17:28Such talent is not only rare,
17:30but deserves to be
17:31protected forever.
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17:541. Boa
17:56Boa, birth name
17:57Kwon Boa,
17:58caught the eyes and ears
17:59of music scouts
18:00when she was just 11 years old.
18:01After accompanying
18:02her brother to an audition,
18:04she went on to release
18:04her first album,
18:05IDP's B,
18:06at the ripe old age
18:08of 13.
18:09Her first Japanese album,
18:10Listen to My Heart,
18:11made Boa the first Korean
18:13to debut
18:13at the top
18:14of the Oricone chart.
18:20Woohoo!
18:21She released
18:22an English language album,
18:23Boa,
18:24in 2009
18:24and was cast
18:25in a big role
18:26in the 2013 flick
18:27Make Your Move.
18:28Boa is a big-time
18:29K-pop success story
18:31and is massive
18:32both in Korea
18:33and around the globe.
18:34Which female K-pop artist
18:41would you include
18:42in your ultimate super group?
18:44Tell us in the comments
18:45down below.
18:50Did you enjoy this video?
18:52Check out these other clips
18:53from WatchMojo
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19:04We'll see you next time.
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