Still going strong: Meet the oldest existing K-pop groups

You may have just recently found yourself obsessed with K-pop groups like BTS or BLACKPINK – but you’ve just scratched the surface. K-pop is far from a novel wonder. In fact, K-pop first started forming in the 1990s. An amalgamation of popular Western genres, K-pop emerged strong with its own special flavor. K-pop fundamentally shaped the South Korean music industry forever. South Korea finally had their own distinctive genre, dedicated bands rising to fame alongside Western music icons like NSYNC & O-Town. These early K-pop artists continue to influence our fave groups today, so it’s time to show some respect. All of these classic K-pop groups are still (somewhat) active today – keeping the K-pop dream alive. Here are some legendary K-pop groups who take us back in time.

Sechskies – 1997

Say hello to Jiwon, Jaijin, Jaeduck, & Suwon – the legendary K-pop stars of Sechskies. These boys have been around from the start, debuting in 1997 with their song “School Anthem”. Sechskies helped define K-pop as the first-generation wave of successful K-pop boy bands. They had a humongous impact on the industry despite only having an initial run of three years. The group sadly disbanded in 2000, but reunited in 2016 under YG. Four members remain active post-2021 after Kang Sung-hoon departed. Hints at possible 2027 30th anniversary activities keep longtime fans hopeful even as full-group output stays quiet.

COOL – 1994

One of the few popular co-ed K-pop groups, COOL kicked off with rapper Kim Sung-soo, leading male vocalist Lee Jae-hoon, and female vocalists Yu Chae-young & Choi Jun-myung. Shortly after their first album, Yuri came in and replaced the other two female singers. COOL was going strong for over a decade, releasing numerous albums. The group did disband in 2005 but reunited about ten years ago. Ever since 2008, COOL has brought the boys back together and have been sporadically making more music for us all to enjoy, though no major new group releases or tours have been prominently reported between 2024 and 2026.

H.O.T. – 1996

While many groups did come before H.O.T., many still see them as the first modern K-pop group to gain notoriety. SM Entertainment (which went on to produce some of the most successful K-pop bands ever) rose up due to their partnership with H.O.T. The original members – Moon Hee-joon, Jang Woo-hyuk, Tony An, Kangta, & Lee Jae-won – were capturing the hearts of young girls all around (not unlike modern-day BTS). The group grew apart in 2001 after there was a contract dispute with SM Entertainment. Fans were crushed when they broke up. Luckily, the group still seems to have kinship, though the 2018 independent concert where they performed their hit “Candy” remains the most recent widely referenced full-group activity.

Shinhwa – 1998

Shinhwa is a six-member boy band with members Eric, Minwoo, Dongwan, Hyesung, Junjin, & Andy. The first song “Resolver” debuted back in 1998. They’ve basically been around since the beginning of K-pop, but they’re all still tight. Approaching 28 years active in 2026, this stellar team has formed the WDJ subunit with three members while maintaining their original six-man lineup. This unbroken run remains rare in K-pop and continues to set a benchmark for longevity.

Fly to the Sky – 1999

This extra fly K-pop team consists of Brian Joo & Hwanhee. The two united in 1998 and signed with SM Entertainment. Their debut album Day by Day instantly became a hit for their individual sound. When the K-pop duo was young, they were K-pop heartthrobs like BTS. However, since their debut they’ve evolved into the most popular R&B group in South Korea, giving us their more mature side. They performed at the 2026 Hwanhee concert anniversary event, showing that occasional appearances still surface even after earlier hiatus periods.

Brown Eyed Girls – 2006

Debuting under Mystic Entertainment with four members, Brown Eyed Girls has been one of the few K-pop groups to hold onto its original members. Brown Eyed Girls has JeA, Narsha, Miryo, & Gain. Their hit “Abracadabra” has millions of views on YouTube. For a while the group was all the rage in Japan as well as South Korea in 2011. Narsha left the original agency but continued group ties, including a 2025 birthday reunion. Members have expressed hopes for possible 2026 anniversary activities around their 20th year together.

The Enduring Legacy of First-Generation K-Pop

Early groups like H.O.T. and Sechskies helped establish SM Entertainment’s model and idol system. Shinhwa’s unbroken six-member lineup remains rare. These acts blended Western genres with Korean elements creating the K-pop template that later generations still follow. The structural groundwork they laid continues to shape how companies scout, train, and market new acts decades later.

Challenges and Resilience: Military Service, Contracts, and Longevity

Mandatory military service interrupted many careers. Contract disputes led to H.O.T. and early Sechskies disbandments. Shinhwa maintained stability through independent management after leaving their original label. These obstacles explain why so few first-generation acts still function as units today.

Solo Careers and Sub-Units Among Veteran Idols

Shinhwa formed WDJ subunit with three members. Narsha pursued individual projects and new affiliations after leaving the original agency. Many first-gen members transitioned to variety, acting, or solo music. These side paths keep individual names visible even when full-group schedules stay thin.

Fan Loyalty Across Generations

Shinhwa’s Shinhwa Changjo fan club remains active. Sechskies fans anticipated 30th anniversary activities. Nostalgia drives occasional reunions and performances. Multi-generational support keeps these veteran names circulating in conversations long after their peak chart years.

The persistence of these groups shows how K-pop’s earliest chapters still echo through current industry practices and fan conversations. Their stories offer concrete proof that longevity in this business requires both resilience and adaptation. Whether through occasional performances, subunit projects, or simply the steady presence of their original catalogs, these acts continue to anchor discussions about where K-pop began and how far it has traveled.