2000s Korean Pop Music History - THE YEAR OF 2013

21st century is when the culture and new media are joined together, thus, the world can encounter (or share) new culture very easily. 



K-pop is one of the pop culture in Korea that has been spot-lighted. In the early 2000s, marketing on Korean drama and its OST as well as idols in oversea countries succeeded to grab their attention. Consequently, K-pop was known as Korean Idols Music at that moment.



The development of new media, such as social network services as well as streaming services, Korean ballad, hip-hop and other genres has introduced to the world. Spontaneously, the strength of K-pop such as, easy melody, showy performance, music videos with the stories that arouse audiences’ interest, etc. causes to grab attention from Asian countries. Not only the Asian countries. Since 2011, K-pop has been spread out to western countries and also grabs their attention easily.



Consequently, the interpretation of k-pop has expanded. 





The exhibition “2000s K-pop History” introduces the trend of Korean Pop culture by using k-pop contents from every year. “2000s K-pop History” would help people to understand Korean culture and Korean pop culture and expect people to enjoy it.

The Year of 2013





There was keen competition between Idol bands and established singers in that year. A boy band of SM Entertainment, EXO released the regular album <xoxo>, and the title song <growl> recorded 1.5 million of sales all over the world. They were awarded for the album of the year at MAMA, M-Net Asian Music Award, and became the fastest entering K-pop regime. They also were awarded for the song of the year at <kbs music festival>, and got the best album award at Golden Disk on January 16, 2014. On January 23, 2014, they got triple award winning in <seoul music festival> joining main stream of Idol bands.  

Another singer in the middle of big issue of that year was Yongpil Jo, who is considered as the most established singer. He made a comeback with his 19th album <hello> in April of that year. As soon as the album was released, it swept all the music charts. Even on the day of releasing, many people through all ages stood in line at music stores. This incident revived the stagnant music market. It had been 4 years since Seotaiji in 2009. The song <bounce>, which was released online first, was ranked top at Billboard K-pop chart, and 5th at Music Bank, the TV music ranking show, boasting the power of established singers.  On May 3, 2014, he was ranked top at TV music ranking show in 23 years, and in December, he was MVP of the year at Music Bank. He also got triple award winning at M-Net Asian Music Award, and his song became the song of the year. The song <bounce> received credit for good music not only by fans but also by other musicians and critics.

Another hit song is Psy’s <gentleman> of YG Entertainment. In 40 hours Psy released the song after <gangnam style> in 2012, which went down in Korean pop music history, his music video achieved 100 million views on Youtube, 300 million in May, in December, 600 million views, and still continuously increasing views(over 700 million views in 2014) contributing to K-pop popularity.

Major hit songs in other entertainment companies, SM had and <dancing queen> by Girls Generation, )<first wisdom tooth, aka love tooth> by f(x), and <dream girl> by Shinee.



Cube Entertainment had <now(there is no tomorrow)> by Troublemaker, <what’s your name?> by 4minute and <no no no> by A-Pink.

YG had <missing you> and <do you love me>by 2NE1, <crooked> by G-Dragon of the boy group Big Bang, who gathered 570,000 audiences all over the world at his first world tour concerts,”2013 World Tour” boasting his power of 8th year singer. Moreover, his next song <coup d’etat> made him upgraded singer.

JYP had <hush> by Miss A and <one spring day> by 2AM. 





Miss A called another Wondergirls, the legendary girl group, was ranked top with <hush> at SBS Popular Music, M-Net M Countdown and KBS Music Bank, and awarded for Main Digital Album at Golden Disk Award and Main Award at Seoul Music Award.

Starship Entertainment had <because you were gone> by Sistar 19(Hyorin and Bora) and <give it to me> by Sistar. Sistar was ranked top at M.net Music Countdown 3 weeks in a row, top at SBS Popular Music for 2 weeks, and champion song at MBC Music Show Champion, becoming one of the top 3 girl bands along with Girls Generation and 2NE1.

IU of Loen released <the red shoes> in her album <modern times> in October. The song <the red shoes> was ranked as Champion song at Show Champion, top at SBS Popular Music, and top at Music Countdown for 2 weeks.

Regarding New singers, the first 5 men alternative group that Loen produced, HISTORY, released single debut album <dreamer> with the goal of captivating music fans with its own music color as the band’s name “His Story” indicates. The title song <dreamer (narr. iu)> gathered the public’s attention.

A male rapper, Mad Clown, of Starship, who made a debut in 2008, started making television appearance releasing a digital single album <you are too good> with Soyou of Sistar.

Also, N-SONIC of C2K released their 2nd single album <<n-sonic 2nd single>> and mini album <<into the light>>.