K-Pop is dominated by idol groups enthralling the world with their sumptuous visuals and catchy lyrics. Individual members of these successful groups sometimes try flying solo, to varying degrees of success. Here are six whose solo efforts made a big splash in the music scene:
Jennie
Human Chanel, It Girl, living doll – Jennie is probably the most popular female idol of her generation. With Blackpink, the 1996-born star has sold millions of albums and sold out concerts for their record-breaking world tour.
Individually, her achievements cannot be understated. As the most in-demand idol, Jennie’s secured solo endorsement deals with big brands like Calvin Klein, Tamburins, and the aforementioned Chanel. She’s even got a collaboration with Porsche, releasing a limited edition sports car with the brand. Last summer, the singer branched into acting by appearing in American TV series The Idol alongside The Weeknd and Lily Rose-Depp.
But, Jennie still retains her roots. In 2018, she released her first solo album, appropriately titled SOLO. The album racked in great sales and the single “Solo” topped multiple charts worldwide. This year, she once again released a solo single titled “You & Me”, a mid-tempo dance number that made a splash thanks to its catchy hook and Sailormoon-inspired aesthetic.
Jimin
With half of its members currently on mandatory military services in Korea, K-pop supergroup BTS is on hiatus for at least a couple of years. But that doesn’t stop its remaining members from embarking on their own ventures. Early this year, member Jimin released his first solo album, FACE. With the hit single “Like Crazy” and thanks to the power of the formidable ARMYs, Jimin made history as the first K-pop soloist to debut at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
The rest of the year sees him booked and busy, being appointed as the global ambassadors for Tiffany & Co and Dior.
Taeyeon
Hailing from the legendary K-pop group Girl’s Generation, Taeyeon has always been known for her vocal range and distinctive voice. Since the mid-2000’s when the band first debuted, she’s routinely roped in to sing the OSTs for high profile Korean dramas. With her soulful belting, she gave life to songs like Can You Hear Me (OST for Beethoven Virus) and If (OST for Hong Gil Dong), who also charted exceptionally high for soundtracks.
With such success, Taeyeon went on to release three full albums and five EPs on her own. She is also the rare idol soloist who gets her own sold out concert tour. Remember, this is on top off still performing with Girl’s Generation, who just celebrated their 16th anniversary this year.
Jungkook
Yet another BTS member who’s flying solo during the band’s hiatus, the youngest Jungkook shows the world his more mature side with his first solo album, Golden. In Golden, Jungkook explores some flavor of early 2000’s R&B, led by singles “Seven” and “3D”. For his solo foray, he collaborated with American musicians like Jack Harlow and Ice Spice, elevating his music beyond the K-pop avenue.
Last year, Jungkook sang the theme song for FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, Dreamer. The singer-dancer performed in front of billions worldwide at the opening ceremony in Al Bayt Stadium.
As the new face of Calvin Klein, Jungkook makes sure that his face is anywhere from internet ads to full-scale billboards.
G-Dragon
Singer, rapper, songwriter, producer, creative director… There's nothing G-Dragon (real name Kwon Ji Yong) can’t do. The multihyphenate first rose to prominence as one fifth of K-pop group Big Bang, which hailed from YG Entertainment, the same company that later launched Blackpink.
Debuted in 2006, the group soon became one of the most successful K-Pop groups in history. Their eccentricity and hip-hop fueled sound set them apart from other flower boy type groups and no one exemplified it better than G-Dragon. Not only is he so successful as a musician, he’s also an enduring trendsetter in the K-Pop scene. Anything GD wears, becomes a trending topic. His influence among other musicians and fans cannot be understated.
His solo outing as musician started in 2009 with the album Heartbreaker, which aptly broke so many records for a solo singer. He followed it up with an EP, One of a Kind, in 2012 and then Coup D’Etat in 2013. The latter two made him the first soloist to ever win Record of the Year and Artist of the Year, which are typically dominated by boy or girl groups.
Lisa
Further proving just how influential Blackpink truly is, we have another example of solo success from another one in the group. Lisa, the only Thailand member of Blackpink, captivated the world with her electrifying dance skill and stunning beauty. In 2021, she rocked a world still beset with pandemic with her explosive solo single album, the eponymously titled Lalisa. With only two title tracks, “Lalisa” and “Money”, she managed to go viral worldwide and chart high on the Billboard's Hot 100.
Lisa further proves her global power by nabbing ambassadorship positions with prestigious brands such as Celine, Bvlgari, and MAC Cosmetics.
