Kpop generations confuse me so much... (1 Viewer)

[Wingfrost]

A lot of people consider Exo to be the start of the 3rd Generation correct? But Vixx and Boys Republic debuted after them I believe and are considered 2nd Gen... so wouldn’t that mean Exo is technically 2nd Gen??

My brain is spinning
I’ll never understand how 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Gen work.​

 

[eclipsoul]

i completely feel the same way. when i joined kpop, i thought the kpop generations were counted the same way as actual generations and by 2nd gen they meant kpop from the 70s-80s or something only to realise that back then kpop was not even a thing at all

 

[brekker]

I think I´ve seen people consider second generation as those who debuted more than 10 years ago? TVXQ, Big Bang, Super Junior etc.

2010 + is third generation so EXO would be the third?

 

[Wingfrost]

i completely feel the same way. when i joined kpop, i thought the kpop generations were counted the same way as actual generations and by 2nd gen they meant kpop from the 70s-80s or something only to realise that back then kpop was not even a thing at all

Thats what I used to think as well

 

[blueberries]

I have seen couple ways, but simplest way would be:

1st gen: 1990-2001
2nd gen: 2002-2011
3rd gen: 2012-2021

However this is now kinda ruined cause people have started talking about 4gen already

Anyways EXO, VIXX and Boys Republic are 3rd gen for sure.

2nd gen is Big Bang, Super Junior, 2PM, Wonder Girls, SNSD, SHINee, 2NE1 etc. etc.

 

[Wingfrost]

I think I´ve seen people consider second generation as those who debuted more than 10 years ago? TVXQ, Big Bang, Super Junior etc.

2010 + is third generation so EXO would be the third?

B-but Apink, Sistar and Block B all debuted around 2010-2011 and they’re considered 2nd Gen...

I have seen couple ways, but simplest way would be:

1st gen: 1990-2001
2nd gen: 2002-2011
3rd gen: 2012-2021

However this is now kinda ruined cause people have started talking about 4gen already

Anyways EXO, VIXX and Boys Republic are 3rd gen for sure.

2nd gen is Big Bang, Super Junior, 2PM, Wonder Girls, SNSD, SHINee, 2NE1 etc. etc.

I’ll just accept my confusion on this topic

 

[Mangoey]

Idk I find thinking about generations in terms of years is super confusing to me as well
I usually think of it like a generation in a company.
So like the first few girl groups that debuted in close proximity in sm are generation one like SES
Then we have a gap before snsd and (a smaller gap) fx debuted
Then another large gap before red velvet.
And then one more large gap for aespa

 

[brekker]

B-but Apink, Sistar and Block B all debuted around 2010-2011 and they’re considered 2nd Gen...

I’ll just accept my confusion on this topic

3rd generation starts in 2011 with Block B, MyName, Apink, and Boyfriend, just to name a few

my brain does not get this, they are all young and beautiful and talented, who cares. I´ll bow to whoever :D. I´m still older than most of them anyway :D.... wait, they ALL BOW TO MEEEEEEEEEEE :D

 

[blueberries]

B-but Apink, Sistar and Block B all debuted around 2010-2011 and they’re considered 2nd Gen...

I’ll just accept my confusion on this topic

It is confusing cause nobody is agreeing in exact years. But i think u can think of it based on eras in kpop and leading groups

 

[QueenB]

Yeah I think people categorize it by the way the kpop industry changed:
1st gen is the "start" of kpop groups and soloist
2nd gen is the spread of the hallyu wave
3rd gen revitalizing the physical market/making album buying competitive and the start of social media playing a big part in the spread of kpop
4th gen YouTube views, song streams, and bigger presence in the western market (some people have mentioned some groups and songs seem geared towards getting American viewers)

I think each generation has an intermixing of these things because they'll start in one but be the big influential factor for new groups

Edit: Also, personally I think Vixx and Boys Republic are 3rd gen but I see how people get them confused. I think the only reason people always put EXO in 3rd gen is cause a lot of people see them as the start of it. Like I'd consider BTS's rise in popularity in 2017-present when the 4th gen started forming

 

[Ahsoka]

I’ve never heard vixx or boys republic called second gen tbh

 

[Wingfrost]

I’ve never heard vixx or boys republic called second gen tbh

huh, maybe that’s just me