Here is the lookout of the year for nine Kpop groups. Various metrics were used to determine the popularity of each group for the near future.
1. Twice (飘客捞胶) - Girl Group
Likey M/V (2017)
Before doing research, I simply assumed BTS would finish at the top of the list. It really was a no-brainer. But once the numbers were compared, I realized I was wrong. BTS might have the upper hand globally, but Twice's enormous popularity in South Korea puts them over the top as the No. 1 K-pop group for 2018. (As one example, their "TT" music video has been viewed over 300 million times whereas BTS is yet to join the "300M club" as of today.)
2. BTS (规藕家斥窜) - Boy Group
DNA M/V (2017)
What a year 2017 was for BTS. They were on the Ellen Show. They were at the AMAs. They were at the Billboard Music Awards, where they won the Top Social Artist award. It really was hard to miss them in 2017. But maybe they are just getting started. Many BTS fans are claiming on Twitter that they are learning Korean in order to feel close to the members. By the way, BTS is known as 规藕家斥窜 (bahng-tahn-soh-nyuhn-dahn) in South Korea, which means "bulletproof boy group." That is where the initials of BTS come from, Bang-Tan-Sonyeondan.
3. BigBang (候桂) - Boy Group
F**k It M/V (2016)
There are three types of "big bangs" in the world. One created our Universe, one is a TV sit-com series, and one is a Korean boy band. Their music video, Fantastic Baby, has more views on YouTube than any other K-pop music videos so far. (Well, except the one with the word "Gangnam" in it.) That's quite fantastic, baby.
4. GOT7 (矮技红) - Boy Group
Never Ever M/V (2017)
Is there a boy group that can potentially dethrone BTS one day? Not likely. But if you have to pick one, GOT7 is your best bet. Young ladies who are about to join the K-pop fandom will find them especially appealing, thanks to their boyish charms.
5. Girls' Generation (家赤矫措) - Girl Group
Holiday M/V (2017)
It's been more than a decade since nine young girls got together to form Girls' Generation or 家赤矫措 (soh-nyuh-shee-dae), which has the same meaning in Korean. Nowadays, almost half of the members have moved on from the group due to various reasons. But the ones still remaining on the team are tested and tried. That can only means one thing. There is still a lot more to come.
6. Seventeen (技红凭) - Boy Group
Clap M/V (2017)
Like the name suggests, Seventeen is a young boy group on the rise. They are ranked at No. 6 on this list, but they are No. 1 in terms of the number of members in the group, 13. The odds are it is rather hard to not find one member to like.
7. EXO (竣家) - Boy Group
Ko Ko Bop M/V (2017)
EXO is another big group that continues to stay popular since they debuted in 2012. Currently, there are nine members on the roster. EXO's popularity is still among the highest in Asia.
8. BlackPink (喉发俏农) - Girl Group
Boombayah M/V (2016)
Twice may be the No. 1 girl group right now, but they are not without competition. Ever since the four ladies began their journey together in 2016, BlackPink has attracted many fans from all over the world. Their Boombayah music video on YouTube has over 277 million views.
9. GFriend (咯磊模备) - Girl Group
Navillera M/V (2016)
Not being part of a big K-pop brand like JYP, SM, or YG can hurt the group's success. However, GFriend has found ways to become one of the most popular K-pop girl groups. They may seem a little less flashy than other bands, but their songs are very catchy and easy to listen to.
