The 2nd generation of K-Pop began in 2003 and ended in 2012. Even groups that only debuted toward the end of this era now look back on a career of more than 12 years. It is hardly surprising, then, that many of them are no longer active or that the members are focusing on their solo careers.
But in 2022, an unexpected turn began: more than five years after their last album, Girls' Generation came back together and celebrated a spectacular comeback. That set off a veritable wave of 2nd generation comebacks that continues to this day!
We'll make sure you don't miss anything and give you an overview in this article of the 2nd generation artists who have returned in recent years.
We are currently already in the 5th generation of K-Pop.
This generation is generally considered to have begun in 2023. Representatives of the new era include KISS OF LIFE, RIIZE, xikers and ZEROBASEONE.
But even though K-Pop regularly inspires us with new groups and concepts, many fans like to look back on earlier generations. The 2nd generation, which is also called the “Golden Age of K-Pop”, comes up especially often. That is mainly because the artists of the 3rd and 4th generation are all still active. They include Twice, EXO, TXT, BTS, Blackpink, Seventeen, NCT, Stray Kids, ATEEZ, (G)I-DLE and many more.
The artists of the second K-Pop generation shaped the genre decisively by experimenting musically and stylistically and by spreading K-Pop internationally. They also established new fan traditions such as photocards and lightsticks, and in many ways laid the foundation for the generations to come.
In recent years, the 2nd generation has returned and is delighting fans all over the world!
For example, some new groups like RIIZE and TWS are turning back to nostalgic concepts like “schoolboys” and “boy next door”, which have become rarer and rarer. Their music is also reminiscent of songs from back then.
But it's not just the music and concepts that are coming back, but the artists too!
THESE 2ND GENERATION GROUPS ARE BACK:
Many new fans didn't know these older groups until recently and may even have found new favorites among them. For anyone who isn't aware of which comebacks of the last few years belong to the 2nd generation, we list as many as possible here. Even longtime fans may not have caught every reunion, since they are piling up. We'll make sure you don't miss anything!
For many of the boy bands on this list, the long break is also due, among other things, to the military service that all men in South Korea have to complete.
2PM
The studio album “Must” was released on June 28, 2021. It is their first comeback in 5 years. Before that, the studio album “Gentlemen's Game” was last released on September 13, 2016.
Girls' Generation
On August 5, 2022, the studio album “Forever 1” was released. It is their first comeback in almost exactly 5 years. Before that, the studio album “Holiday Night” was last released on August 4, 2017.
We see “Forever 1” as the starting point of the comeback wave because it attracted so much attention and, since then, further projects by 2nd generation groups have been announced in quick succession. For example, Kara announced their reunion just one month later.
Kara
On November 29, 2022, the mini album “Move Again” was released. It is their first comeback in 7 years. Before that, the Japanese studio album “Girl’s Story” was last released on June 17, 2015.
Since then, Kara has released a Japanese version of “Move Again”, and in 2024 the girl group also put out a new single album called “I Do I Do” in Korean and Japanese.
The comeback is special in many ways. It is the first album with all 5 members! Jiyoung and Nicole left the group in 2014. The last album with the two of them was the studio album “Full Bloom”, which was released on September 2, 2013. In 2014, Youngji joined Kara as a new member. For “Move Again”, Nicole and Jiyoung returned and worked with Youngji for the first time.
SHINee
On June 26, 2023, the studio album “Hard” was released. It is their first comeback in 2 years. Before that, the studio album “Don’t Call Me” was last released on February 22, 2021.
Although SHINee’s comeback falls in this period, you can't really count the boy group among them, after all only 2 years have passed since their last comeback. Unlike most of the other groups on this list, SHINee is regularly active together, and a new album is no surprise, just a matter of time.
U-KISS
On June 28, 2023, the mini album “Play List” was released. It is their first comeback in 5 years. Before that, the Japanese studio album “LINK” was last released on March 31, 2018.
For the comeback, Alexander, Eli and AJ returned to U-KISS.
Teen Top
On July 4, 2023, the mini album “4SHO” was released. It is their first comeback in 4 years. Before that, the mini album “DEAR. N9NE” was last released on June 4, 2019.
Only 4 of the original 6 members took part in the comeback. L.Joe left the group back in 2017 and C.A.P officially left in May 2023.
INFINITE
On July 31, 2023, the mini album “13egin” was released. It is their first comeback in 4 years. Before that, the single “Clock” was last released on February 13, 2019.
Leader Sunggyu was missing from “Clock”. The last album with all 6 members was “Top Seed” in January 2018.
VIXX
On November 21, 2023, the mini album “Continuum” was released. It is their first comeback in 4 years. Before that, the single “Walking” was last released on February 1, 2019.
VIXX currently consists of four members: N, Leo, Ken and Hyuk. However, only three members took part in the comeback. N was filming the series “Castaway Diva” at the time.
BANG&JUNG&YOO&MOON (B.A.P)
On August 8, 2024, the mini album “Curtain Call” was released. It is their first comeback in 5 years. Before that, the Japanese studio album “Massive” was last released on March 28, 2018.
The boy group is known under the name B.A.P (short for “Best Absolute Perfect”). However, until recently the rights to the name were held by the group's former label: TS Entertainment. That is why the guys released their album under the name “BANG&JUNG&YOO&MOON”. It consists of the last names of the four members.
The group actually has 5 members, but Zelo is currently in the military. Fans hope that the group will return as five in the future. There is reason for hope, because on official posters you could see not only the four mascots of Daehyuh, Yongguk, Youngjae and Jongup, but also the one of Zelo.
Block B
Block B did not release a new album, but all the members appeared in the last episode of the show “The Seasons - Zico's Artist” in August 2024. It is Block B's first appearance as a full group in 7 years. The repackage album “Re:MONTAGE” was last released on January 8, 2018.
We have already witnessed some reunions. Others are still ahead of us:
JX (Junsu & Jaejoong)
Junsu and Jaejoong were formerly members of the boy group TVXQ and JYJ and are now starting over once more! In 2009, Junsu, Jaejoong and Yoochun left TVXQ and founded the trio JYJ in 2010. JYJ's last album was released in July 2024 and was called “Back Seat”. That was already 10 years ago. Yoochun left the trio because of a drug scandal.
Jaejoong and Junsu have focused on their solo careers since then. In 2022, they released the song “Sixth Magnitude Star” together for a Japanese series. In 2023, they also performed together at the Dream Concert in Japan.
On September 6, the two singers announced that from now on they will be active as a duo named “JX”. JX stands for “Jaejoong” and “Xia”. “Xia” is Junsu's stage name, which he has used since his time in TVXQ. JX will hold a concert titled “IDENTITY” in Seoul from November 8-10, ushering in a new era.
2NE1
At the end of July, 2NE1 announced their 2024 World Tour “WELCOME BACK”. It is the group's first project since their joint appearance at the Coachella Festival in April 2022. The last single “Goodbye” was already 7 years ago, as it was released on January 21, 2017. The single was recorded by only three members, because Minzy had left 2NE1 shortly before. The last album with all four members is called “Crush” and was released in February 2014.
The new World Tour brings together all four members and begins on October 5 and 6 in Seoul. In November it continues to Manila and Jakarta, followed by concerts in Singapore and Hong Kong in December. In January, 2NE1 will perform in Bangkok, and in February the tour ends in Taipei.
Some of these groups have set up new agencies specifically for their comeback. So there is hope that we will hear from them more often again in the future. Which reunion made you the happiest?
While many 2nd generation artists are celebrating their return, others were never gone:
Apink, C.N.BLUE, F.T.Island, Super Junior and the solo artist IU regularly present new music. Since many of the members now also have solo careers, these groups no longer release 2 or 3 albums in a year like they used to. But some of them record new songs almost every year and are therefore still current today.
All these artists not only fascinate their longtime supporters, but also captivate a new generation of fans. With their talent and passion for music, it is almost certain that they will keep conquering the charts in the coming years and bring excitement with more unforgettable hits!
Sources: Youtube, Instagram, Twitter, Naver
