Add these K-pop groups to your playlist if you love BTS

BTS has swept the globe with their musical hits and synchronized dance moves. Their fans are loyal and enthusiastic, but have they ever considered checking out the other bands in the K-pop scene? BTS is not the only group striving towards performance perfection. 

Dare we say there are some K-pop boy bands that came before and after BTS you might find you like just as much? You may think no one can outdo your bias but might also be shocked to find some at least come very close. Especially if BTS was the band that baptized you into the love of K-pop, you need to broaden your horizons and embrace the entire genre. 

K-pop love is contagious and you’ll find you have enough love to go around. The Bangtan Boys won’t mind if you add a little variety to your playlist. Here are some K-pop bands you’ll probably enjoy if you love BTS.

Super Junior

Super Junior was the best-selling K-pop artist for four years in a row at one point. If nothing else, these credentials should get you to spare them a chance. Their song “Sorry, Sorry” is what earned them critical international acclaim, so this one might be worth checking out first. 

Super Junior is currently a nine member group. They used to have as many as twelve members and this size allowed them to be divided into smaller groups that targeted more niche audiences. Check out their song “SUPER Clap” for a sample of the dancey vibes in their newest album“Time Slip”. 

BIGBANG 

BIGBANG is a favorite of many K-pop-lovers, and for good reason. Many attribute the spread of international adoration for K-pop to them. BIGBANG is composed of T.O.P., G-dragon, Daesung, and Taeyang (former member Seungri retired last year). They didn’t start out strong as a band.

BIGBANG’s debut album was in fact mostly received with shoulder shrugs. It wasn’t until singles like “Lies” and “Sunset Glow” were released that they started gaining momentum. Eventually, even the solo work of BIGBANG members was received with wild cheers. You might know Taeyang’s “Eyes, Nose, Lips” or GD’s “One of a Kind”. You’d be remiss if you didn’t listen to this classic K-pop band for yourself. 

SHINee 

SHINee (pronounced Shine-ee) is known for their fashion trend setting and complicated dance numbers. If you’re in the mood to watch an entrancing music video they’re a safe bet. SHINee first debuted in 2008 and hit the ground running with their single “Replay”, which was later completely redone in Japanese. 

They are now a four person band since their fifth member Kim Jonghyun tragically committed suicide in 2017. The remaining members of SHINee continue to push on and try to honor the memory of their departed friend.

EXO

EXO is a nine member group and they’re actually a South Korean-Chinese boy band. This large number of members gives you plenty of options for your bias. They derived the name EXO from the astrological word exoplanet, or planet outside the solar system. Many EXO fans would agree their music is indeed out of this world. The songs “Monster”, “CALL ME BABY”, and “Obsession” would be a good place to start listening. 

GOT7

As you might guess, the band GOT7 is composed of seven members. You’ll probably recognize the member Jackson Wang since he’s recently gotten pretty popular for his solo career with songs like “100 Ways”. 

GOT7 debuted in 2014 and became especially famous for their entertaining live performances which include street dancing and martial arts tricking. They’re most popular for their single “Just Right” so that might be just the right place to start. 😜

AKMU (Akdong Musician) 

Alright. That’s enough of boy bands. It’s time you slip into the more alternative side of K-pop. You might find that you like it as much as a horde of boys. They sometimes pull inspiration from each other after all. 

AKMU is a sibling duo and their voices are out-of-this-world smooth. Lee Su-hyun and Lee Chan-hyuk both have adorable faces and personalities. It’s not often you get to see a brother & sister in the music business together, so both their pairing and music is very refreshing. AKMU usually opts for a soulful, folk-pop vibe. 

They sometimes slip into some jazzy undertones, making their melodies hard to resist. Whether you’re looking for a fun pick-me-up or a somber ballad, AKMU has you covered. If you listen to their albums in order it’s fun to see their evolution and cheer them on as they experiment with new genres. Check them out. You won’t regret it.