Let’s look at some of the early 90s and late 2000s songs of K-pop that have blown the K-pop industry with their unexpected masterpieces. You might not personally search for songs but have listened to them somewhere or seen your favorite artists covering the bops of the early K-pop era.
1. Girls’ Generation - “Gee” (2009)
Girls’ Generation debuted in 2007 as a nine-member girls' group and now continues as an eight-member group after Jessica left in September 2014. Girls’ Generation is the IT group of the second generation, and their songs are known as a perfect rhyme of melody. They have a big name to themselves after being in the industry for a long time, and it started with the song “Gee,” released in 2009.
2. Super Junior - “Sorry, Sorry” (2009)
Every 2000s kid who entered the K-pop era will remember the OG step of Sorry, Sorry, which went viral back in the time. Super Junior the boy group was a 13th member group that debuted in November 2005. They are still popularly known as legends as they have run for a long time successfully. Their song Sorry, Sorry was, is, and will forever be remembered in our minds.
3. SHINee - “Ring Ding Dong” (2009)
SHINee is an immortal group that debuted in 2008, but it feels like yesterday they came into the picture of K-pop. SHINee debuted with five members with the best debut song, ‘Reply,’ which shocked people with its melody, and still today, it is remembered as the best debut song by any group. Just a year, later, the group released another masterpiece, Ring Ding Dong, in 2009, which has become an unforgettable song of theirs.
4. TVXQ - “Mirotic” (2009)
TVXQ is another legendary masterpiece K-group that debuted in late 2003 in December, and even though they disbanded now, the impact they had with their songs and dance is still remembered today. They have released an outstanding masterpiece, but the “Mirotic” song of 2009 will forever be remembered.
5. Rain - “Rainism” (2008)
The mention of Jung Ji-hoon, better known as Rain, is a must because of his famous masterpiece that was released in 2008, Rainism, and so many of today's generation K-pop idols have covered his song. His charisma and passion for work since 2002 have made the audience believe that hard work always pays off.
6. Wonder Girls - “Tell Me” (2008)
Wonder Girls was the first girl group to debut under JYP, so they have left an incredible impact. Wonder Girl debuted with 5 members in early 2007 and disbanded in 2017. Wonder Girls’ songs are wonderful, but the mark of their song “Tell Me,” released in 2008, will never be forgotten.
7. Epik High - “Fly” (2005)
There is a saying that a trio of boys never fails and, just like the legendary trio of K-pop, Epik High, which debuted in 2003 and helped to rebirth the Korean hip hop world and inspire the rising talent for the same to be great. They have always made music that never fails to inspire people, but the hit song “Fly” was something else released in 2005 that also helped win their first award.
8. BoA - “No.1” (2002)
Kwon Bo-Ah, also famously known as BoA, has to be on the evergreen list as, since 2000, she was fourteen years old and has been the best artist with her talented songs and dance. BoA is still very much active after long years and releasing incredible songs. But her “No. 1” song from her first ever album, released in 2002, had a significant impact on her career and fans.
9. Shinhwa - “Perfect Man” (2002)
Shinhwa is known as the legendary, long-lasting group of the 1st generation K-pop industry as they debuted in 1998. For 20 years, they have left a remarkable impact on the K-pop world and still continue to do so. Shinhwa's “Perfect Man,” released in 2002, is a masterpiece that will be remembered forever and eternally.
10. H.O.T - “Candy” (1996)
H.O.T was created by SM Entertainment or Town in 1996 and was considered one of the first K-pop groups to become role models for the coming generation of many K-pop groups we know and hear in today's era. They are the pioneers of K-pop and have released many great songs like Candy that are still refreshing in people's minds.
