K-pop is famous for its brilliant group performances, but when their groups parted, some of its brightest stars began their solo career. Many K-pop artists choose to go solo either while still a member of the group or after the group disbandment. Because, living, practicing, dancing, singing, and doing everything together becomes routine, it gets tricky for the idols to go solo without their band members. In this list, we will look at the top 10 K-pop idols who made their way into the spotlight, demonstrating their distinctive abilities and creating a significant impact in the music world. These idols have proved that even after group disbandment, their skills and charm keep shining as solo performers, captivating audiences worldwide.
1. Kim Chung Ha
Kim Chung Ha, or Kim Chan Mi, is a 27-year-old pop singer, dancer, and choreographer. Chung Ha is a former member of the girl band group I.O.I, which was formed in 2016 but led to disbandment in 2017. After the group disbandment, Chung Ha went solo and released her first solo EP play, i.e. Hands On Me. Since then, Chung Ha has released a total of 9 solo albums, out of which her 2019 track Gotta Go achieved the number-one position on the Billboard Hot 100 for K-pop. She has also won the MAMA for Best Female Artist.
2. Yoo Young Jae
Yoo Young Jae is a former member of the boy band group B.A.P, formed by TS Entertainment in 2012. Young Jae served as the main vocalist of the group until its dissolution in 2019. Yoo Young Jae started a private record company to distribute his solo music. In 2019, Fancy, his first debut mini-album released. Young Jae is also an actor who has acted in series like Mimicud, Cleaning Up, Love in Spring, Police University, Mr. Queen, and Kim is a Genius.
3. Kim Hyun Ah
Kim Hyun Ah, or Hyuna, is a 31-year-old singer, rapper, songwriter, and model. Hyuna is primarily a former member of the girl band groups, i.e. Wonder Girls, 4minute, and K-pop trio, Tripple H. However, she decided to go solo in 2010 while still a member of the 4minute group. Hyuna has released many hit music, including Bubble Pop, her hit song, sold millions of copies. However, Hyuna is often labeled in controversies about her relationship with her ex Dwan. However, Hyuna still manages to rock the stage with her alluring and attractive looks and talent.
4. Jay Park
Jay Park is a Korean-American singer, rapper, dancer, songwriter, and record producer. Jay Park is a former member of 2PM under JYP Entertainment. Due to some controversies, Park had to leave the group in early 2010. After this, Jay Park began his solo career on YouTube, where he first uploaded his version of Nothing On You by Bruno Mars and B.o.B, which went viral and received more than 2,000,000 views in just a day. After that, Jay Park made his powerful comeback in South Korea and released his first EP, Count On Me. Since then, he has released his sizzling solo music videos and founded AOMG and, H1GHR Music. Currently, Park is a member of Jay-Z's RoC Nation.
5. Jung Ye Rin
Jung Ye Rin is a former member of the girl band group GFRIEND, formed in 2015 under Source Music. After the group's disbandment in 2021, Yerin signed as a solo singer, and actress with Sublime Artist Agency. Yerin released her first solo debut mini-album ARIA in 2022. Yerin did not renew her contract with the Sublime Artist Agency and in 2023, Yerin exclusively signed a contract with a new agency, Bill Entertainment. On August 23, Yerin released her second solo album, Ready, Set, Love.
6. Lee Sun Mi
Lee Sun Mi, or Sunmi, is a 31-year-old singer, songwriter, dancer, and record producer. Sunmi is a former member of the girl band Wonder Girl, but in 2010, she left the group to complete her studies. Sunmi resumed her career as a soloist in 2013, releasing her first solo extended play, 24 Hours, after a three-year gap, which became an absolute hit, followed by her other EP, Full Moon in, 2014. Since then to till today, Sunmi has been one of the greatest and most prominent solo artists in the K-pop industry.
7. Kang Do Ho
Kang Do Ho, also known as Baekho i.e., his stage name, is a former member of the boy band group NU'EST, where he was the main vocalist and music producer. After the group disbandment on March 15, 2022, Baekho made his first solo debut in October 2022, with his mini-solo album, Absolute Zero.
8. Choi Ye Na
Choi Ye Na, famously known as Yena, is a singer and actress. Yena is a former member of the girl band group IZ*ONE, which debuted in 2018 under OFF the Record and Swing Entertainment. After the group disbandment, Yena is pursuing her career as a soloist and actress. On January 17, 2022, Yena released her first mini-album, Smiley. Then, followed by her second album, Smartphone. In 2023, Yena released her first Japanese version of Smiley.
9. Kang Daniel
Kang Daniel (birth name: Kang Eui Guen) is a former member of the Wanna One boy band group, which at the time, was very influential, and famous in the K-pop industry. Daniel is a singer, actor, model, songwriter, television host and businessman. In 2019, after Wanna One dissolved, Daniel made his solo debut with EP Colour on Me. Since then, Kang Daniel has released many single albums, and as of 2023 records, Daniel, as a solo artist, sold 2 million albums.
10. Jeong Ye In
Jeong Ye In, or Yein, is a former member of the girl band group Lovelyz, formed in 2014 under Woollim Entertainment. Yein was also known as the maknae of the group. After the group disbandment in 2021, Yein began her soloist career and released her first solo debut album, Plus and Minus in, 2022. In the same year, Yein released her second album, Bus.
