Top 10 K-Pop Idols Who Went Solo

These K-pop idols broke free to fly solo. For this list, we’ll be looking at the most notable Korean popular music icons who got famous as part of groups, but have since established themselves as well-known soloists. Our countdown includes Zico, G-Dragon, Lee Hyori, and more! Who's YOUR favorite K-pop idol? Let us know in the comments!
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[@MsMojo]

Who's YOUR favorite K-pop idol? Let us know below, and be sure to also check out our video of the Top 10 Artists You Didn't Know Wrote K-Pop Songs - kzbin.info/www/bejne/hp-WpKVjpbqcpcU

[@crystalsnow1138]

I wish you mentioned that many of these soloists are still active members in their respective groups. In kpop it's very common for idols to pursue solo activities while also remaining in a group, especially for Korean male idols who have to serve in the military. Many idols will do solo activities while the members in their group are serving.

[@Jessica_25]

I feel like BI should have gotten an honorable mention at least. His solo music is phenomenal and he started his own label after leaving iKON.

[@kimecious]

Yes Taemin! But also the rest of SHINee members now, can hold solo concerts/events and have their own album #ONEW #JONGHYUN #KEY #MINHO #TAEMIN

[@krisr7987]

2NE1 got me into Kpop with their big hit I Am The Best! CL really shined and proved to be one of the best female rappers I have ever heard! I was so happy and got goosebumps that she made it to number 1! She completely deserves it! Go CL! You're my number 1 Bitch! Hello Bitches!!!!

[@chroniclesofalivingdeadgirl]

Teamin and most of these people are still with their active groups. It's common in kpop to embark on solo projects in between group promotions or military enlistments

[@CarterLa_14]

I’m surprised to not see Hwasa on this list, she’s been one of the top female artist in korea and internationally. Ofc not all can be mentioned but mamamoo being one of the biggest 3rd gen groups that are still running strong is expect to see her on this list. She’s amazing and “I’m a B” was a groundbreaking song for her

[@betterworld9580]

Is it a wonder that mamamoo is getting ignored its so ignorant that they never get the credits they deserve

[@CarterLa_14]

@@betterworld9580 Mamamoo is extremely popular nowadays still wdym?

[@betterworld9580]

@@CarterLa_14 ik they are extremely popular but they still don’t get their credits. No one besides moomoos accept their talents besides bei vocal queens even about that fans are trying to take this from them

[@gerardgarcia8501]

TAEYEON is such a powerful singer, i hope everyone is supporting her

[@CarterLa_14]

Hyori is just a hard artist to beat

[@prasannabalaji1886]

Taeyeon has a crazy voice and I can't believe she isn't #1

[@blobitz9648]

Her presence in the West isn't as strong as CL's and this is catered to the West. If you make the same list but put it on a predominantly Eastern site then she'd be higher then CL for sure.

[@prasannabalaji1886]

Makes sense

[@cherriiiiiiiiiii]

Nice to see some ppl giving CL the flowers she deserves. CL became the first female K-pop soloist to enter the billboard hot 100 in 2017 when K-pop was nowhere as popular as it is now and continued to hold her spot as the first and only one until rosé debuted solo, even got chosen by SK’s president to perform at the 2018 Olympics and didn’t get any support from her former label so she had to pay and handle everything herself. After so many sabotages by her former label she went independent which is a huge move that few idols are confident enough to do, she then released her first album, attended the met gala, got invited to perform at Coachella and headlined many other festivals like Waterbomb and attended Paris haute couture week etc

[@victoriagarcialanderos1141]

Stan all of these kpop Solo idols so talented

[@hgseeker]

I was expecting to see Baekhyun in at least the honorable mentions for being the first soloist to sell a million albums in 19 years

[@triciaw3064]

I got REALLY worried until you got to number 1 !! I knew there was no way you'd not mention 2NE1 👍🏻💜🎶 And the little clip of 'I am the Best', that's just an added extra 🥰🖤🌹

[@christinahenneman]

Where’s Jackson Wang??!! He is still a part of GOT7 but like someone mentioned n another comment that some of these K-pop idols on this list like Taeyang and G-Dragon are still part of their respective groups. I mean Big Bang just put out a new song this year! But really where is Jackson Wang??!! He just released Magic Man n September along with many other EPs n previous years!! He should’ve made the list or even the honorable mentions!!!

[@binnie0117]

I was just looking through the comments to see if anyone was gonna mention the lack of Jackson Wang... fr

[@christinahenneman]

@@binnie0117 someone needed to say something about the travesty of him not being on this list 😊😊😊

[@pandumiharja6769]

taeyeon went solo but still a member of girls generation. AND the group is still active, they just had their comeback last august to celebrate their 15th anniversary

[@Lilly-pg6im]

Sunmi is a legend

[@kimypedia642]

I totally love CL, but hey, we all know that Taeyeon is the real deal.

[@zo_e1785]

GD at #5?? You said so yourself, he’s the King of K-POP

[@jayavanzado0927]

ChungHa & HyunA are my Biases on this List

[@mjsvisualjournal1098]

CL 💙 GD 💙 TAEYANG

[@liezelcapilos8757]

I love Taeyeon she's such angelic voice then taeyang was a Korean R&B singer 😍💖💛👏

[@EdgarARetiz]

I’m just happy seeing Chungha getting recognition 💙💚💜

[@arieska.meurer]

ChungHa, Zico, Taemin, Taeyang, Sunmi, G-Dragon, Hyuna, Taeyeon, Lee Hyori, Kang Daniel, Jay Park, Wonho, Dawn, Kai and CL... some of these singers are still part of their original groups, despite having launched a solo career. Besides them, I would mention Somi (I.O.I.), Suzy (Miss A), Hwasa (Mamamoo), Amber (from (f)x), Lisa (Blackpink) and Nayeon (Twice).

[@saadiabutt7677]

Don’t forget Youngjae (GOT7), he is my bias!!

[@arieska.meurer]

@@saadiabutt7677 yessss, you're right, thanks for complementing! I'm more of a fan of girl groups so I end up remembering them more! Hehe

[@saadiabutt7677]

@@arieska.meurer your welcome 😊

[@facethebass]

Literally all Mamamoo members are well known soloists with accolades and music show wins

[@zhisu2665]

I wouldnt include idols who don't have an established solo career, like Lisa has 2 songs so she can't be included,

[@iamyaniii_3637]

i love hyuna and jay park! actually all of the people on the list. but i agree on the comment i saw that you couldve also included those soloists who are still active in their own groups… yang yoseob from beast/highlight is an example i wanna share 💛✨

[@onedayseoul]

I didn't even know Hyori used to be part of a group!

[@bltotrs92]

jhope would have at least deserved a honorable mention his performance at lollapalloza was supersuccessful :)

[@BenHoward206]

I love Hyuna and 4minute! They got me into kpop :D

[@pitekpgaming]

I thought GD will be the #1

[@brennathecatlover4360]

Right lmao

[@chevy5514]

Taemin is awesome

[@kimble90126]

Yes queen cl

[@NL-tr7ix]

Some of these soloists are still active in their groups

[@Anewyoutubeaccount11]

Nice

[@mohash21]

I'm sorry, I don't think there's anyone who's more influential as a solo artist and truly make a huugge impact and push boundaries constantly than G-Dragon. Definitely deserves to be number 1 with Taeyeon being number 2. As iconic as CL is, her solo work isn't really that influential. It's more of her presentation and personality. Music wise she has very little to offer compared to behemoths like GD and Taeyeon. Taeyang deserves to be third. GD and Taeyang are the only solo idols to win daesang awards in major award shows. I think that speaks for itself. And Taeyeon just has a huge career and enormous talent.

[@isabellapauline]

More kpop & kdrama content please 💕

[@AndreeaCozariuc]

Do your research properly 😡 Taemin has NOT left Shinee, he's just enrolled in the army right now! He didn't "go solo", all Shinee members have solo albums. The group is still active!

[@incomiiiiiiing6646]

definitely thought iu and boa would be on the list 🫢

[@Slm99]

They weren't in a group. Don't worry I thought the same.😅

[@incomiiiiiiing6646]

@@Slm99 forgot about that omfg

[@aregularblackman461]

Kool. Music sounds happy

[@nerd26373]

Kpop soloist have what it takes to dominate charts all over the country. Seems like they could potentially have more gripping power in the industry.

[@billliealim]

Baekhyun and Hyoyeon at least deserves an honorable mention

[@zackiejama5592]

Taeyang has always been my fav singer dancer from bigbang but love his solo albums

[@AntonioGG1-9801]

I love K-pop.

[@zakirstocks9514]

K-POP Idols are all Super Incredible and Awesome!

[@atom4788]

Wonder if Zico is on this list

[@GoToWon]

Where’s B.I?👀

[@ayeewenee8228]

Wonho💙💙💙

[@erandibrito8904]

I would've switch out Kai for Lay Zhang for solo of EXO

[@kaylarodriguez3013]

I’m a HUGE K-Pop Fan!

[@Slm99]

Mother Hyolyn is waiting for the next list😒

[@user-fz5sm8dt9y]

OMGGGGGGG AHHHHHHH CL 😭💖

[@neobahamut6751]

I would have changed the positions between CL and GD. I love them both, but GD' success as a solo artist is more impressive than the 2 hits CL had as solo. I'm french and I've been in a GD concert in France. This is how popular he was.

[@winartijunita6221]

The fact that they change the thumbnail like a million times 🤣

[@tauriaruby]

Omg yeyyy!

[@facethebass]

Sunmi the Legend 🔥

[@Sona-np2ju]

Taeyeon is really in a league of her own

[@michellemcalpine4443]

😁

[@streammarriedtothemusicbys3793]

Any Song

[@angiee1603]

Surprised that Baekhyun wasn't on the list. Two solo projects selling over a million copies.

[@manibear3410]

Hyolyn will get more flowers she deserves one day!!!

[@CarterLa_14]

YES SHES SO FREAKING GOOD

[@MrJoshinJosh]

I sure hope and prey to God that nothing like this ever happens with TWICE because they’ve been my favorite K-POP Girl Group ever since I got to know them. What Is Love is my absolute favorite and nine is also my favorite number as well. Same thing for BlackPink as well. Let them live forever.

[@flovonnejohnson707]

Well if they do end up doing solo work it shouldn't be a problem since for the most part most of these artists are still members of their groups while doing solo work or are just doing solo stuff due to mandatory military service 🤷🏾‍♀️

[@MrJoshinJosh]

@@flovonnejohnson707 I’m actually talking about them becoming bratty enemies towards each other if God for bid they do something like that because that’s exactly what happens to a lot of members in bands. Not all, but definitely indeed a lot.

[@flovonnejohnson707]

@@MrJoshinJosh ah, yea...... That sucks when that happens especially when half the stuff groups end up arguing about is so trivial smh I really hope that doesn't happen

[@MrJoshinJosh]

@@flovonnejohnson707 You and me both I’m telling you. You and me both😰

[@yadielenielbellecolon982]

👌👍

[@marciamk9577]

I love CL but I don't think she should be number one, 1. Lee Hyori, 2. Taeyeon, 3. GD, 4. CL .......

[@JTuncap]

Wonho!!!!!!!

[@karinashovk]

You didn't even mentioned IU but she is extremely popular in Korea, for them she is like Madonna to Americans

[@zyrenecerteza8209]

Quite shocked that Hyolyn was not Here.

[@justanotherlostperson3902]

Im sorry but GD at 5 is a DISRESPECT

[@celestew8015]

I was thinking the same thing. You can't overlook the King of Kpop like that!!!

[@thepinkcassowary2295]

Korean here! Just a tip: Sunmi is pronounced as SUHN-mee (Seonmi) rather than SOON-mee.

[@nermarpaborito4830]

Where is B.I ? Not even on honorable mention

[@prasannabalaji1886]

In few years Selugi will be in these kinda lists

[@SERIOUSLEE774]

why taeyeon is not no 1, she is the only one who have biggest solo world concert annually

[@minahsunlike5051]

I'm soo sorry, you included Dawn, but forgot million seller Baekhyun? Kinda weird...

[@Chuu_Vault]

I know that is imposible mention every single one, but where's Hyolyn....just saying

[@justanotherlostperson3902]

Serious? No MINO ?

[@TeenCrisisMusic]

who is that in the thumbnail?

[@user-fz5sm8dt9y]

CL 😭 she's the number 1 in the vid

[@TributesAndUnique]

Will you ever do your top 10 hottest Kpop guys?

[@bee12117]

And then comes Jungkook....

[@V8fanETHANKELLYgoPortMagpies]

What about PSY?

[@danielrubinstein896]

He wasn't in a group

[@sofasobarna1740]

🕳️💣

[@lydiebeaverhausen8487]

Yeah, let's pretend B.I doesn't exist.

[@SantanaCampbell]

Do Top 10 Most Famous Dead K-Pop Idols! 10. Cha In-Ha, 9. Ahn So-Jin, 8. Yohan, 7. Kim Ha-Neul (aka Rottyful Sky), 6. U;Nee, 5. EunB and RiSE, 4. Iron, 3. Sulli, 2. Goo Hara, 1. Jonghyun! Make it happen!

[@ryanostone22]

Whoa man. Super insensitive

[@Silvermst..]

Me and my Asian tastes I'd so much better than the west they don't show too much skin and they don't really cuss that much which Im glad they do.

[@bighand1530]

Blackpink is cleaner compared to a lot of singers/bands in the west these days.

[@syria0110]

You must not have gotten deep in yet because there are artists that do cuss and show skin 💀

[@Queeniiiie]

I do not agree with your picks or ranking. LMAO

[@KrishnaSharma-ex4bb]

Why there is not suga , jhope and rm like they are too famous and also jennie rosé and Lisa

[@ryanostone22]

They are still associated with their groups. The ones on the list are established solo artists. They’ve released multiple solo albums. Not just mixtapes and solo releases. RM and Jhope could technically count

[@zhisu2665]

ESTABLISHED solo artists from groups. No one in BP has a music career outside of the group so they're excluded