Draft:Generations of K-pop

The generations of K-pop are a concept used to separate K-pop through time. They can be split into 4 generations ; the 1st generation, starting from the early 1990s to early 2000s, the 2nd generation, starting from the early 2000s to early 2010s, the 3rd generation, starting from early to late 2010s, and the 4th generation, starting from the early 2020s — present.

== Generation 1 (1992 — c.20o2) ==

The 1st generation of K-pop was born after the emerge of groups like Seo Taiji and Boys in 1992, and Deux in 1993. K-pop, at the time was mostly inspired by Western music like hip-hop, R&B, etc. K-pop fashion was also influenced by the West. The first generation saw the founding of the 3 main companies at the time; SM Entertainment in 1995, YG Entertainment in 1996, and JYP Entertainment in 1997. Popular groups that emerged included H.O.T., S.E.S, Fin.K.L, G.o.d, Shinhwa, etc. Soloists included Lee Hyori, Park Ji-yoon, Park Hyo-shin, etc.

The founder of YG Entertainment, Yang Hyun-suk, was a member of Seo Taiji and Boys until its disbandment in 1996.

== Generation 2 (c.20o3 — 2011) ==

The 2nd generation of K-pop was known as the Golden Age of K-pop, as it was the time when K-pop gained popularity outside of Korea. It was also the start of the Korean Wave, also known as Hallyu. (Korean: 한류) It first reached countries like Japan and China via Korean dramas that aired on local broadcasting channels. By the mid-2000s, Hallyu had already reached multiple countries in East and Southeast Asia. Therefore, many groups emerged, including BIGBANG, Wonder Girls, SHINee, Girls' Generation, 2PM, Orange Caramel, etc. In fact, many K-pop groups at the time would make Japanese (sometimes Mandarin Chinese) versions of their songs. In rare occasions, they might even make full Japanese albums.

K-pop didn’t gain that much international attention until the release of Psy’s Gangnam Style in 2012, which gained the attention of netizens worldwide.

== Generation 3 (2012 — c.2018)  == The 3rd generation of K-pop was the time when K-pop gained international recognition, forming tons of iconic groups like EXO, Seventeen, BTS, MAMAMOO, BLACKPINK, Twice, Red Velvet, etc. With K-pop now being known internationally, groups began to host world tours, which can last for months on end.