Korean singers have transformed the global music scene. From powerful ballads and emotional K-drama OSTs to explosive K-pop hits, these artists represent the very best of Korea’s music industry. In 2025, the Korean wave (Hallyu) continues to grow, with singers like IU, Taeyeon, G-Dragon, Jimin, Rosé, and many more winning fans worldwide.
This list highlights 15 of the most famous Korean singers, their music styles, biggest hits, and the incredible journeys that made them stars.
1. IU (Lee Ji-eun)
IU (Lee Ji-eun)
South Korean singer-songwriter and actress
Born: May 16, 1993 (age 32 years), Songjeong-dong, Seoul, South Korea
Lee Ji-eun, also known by her stage name IU, is a South Korean singer-songwriter and actress. She became 100 Greatest K-Pop Songs of the 2010s!
She signed a song with LOEN Entertainment which is now Kakao Entertainment in 2007 as a trainee and debuted as a singer at the age of fifteen with Lost and Found (2008), her first EP. Although her follow-up albums in 2009, Growing Up and IU…IM brought mainstream success.
She did well in the music industry but also in the film industry as well. Her drama series like Dream High (2011), and You Are the Best! (2013), romance comedies such as Bel Ami (2013-2014), The Producers (2015), and so on. She won the Best Actress in Television nomination at the 55th Baeksang Arts Awards.
2. Kim Taeyeon
Kim Taeyeon
South Korean singer
Born: March 9, 1989 (age 36 years), Jeonju-si, South Korea
Kim Tae-yeon, known mononymously as Taeyeon, she debuted as a member of girl group Girls’ Generation in August 2007, which went on to become one of the best-selling artists in South Korea and one of the most widely known K-pop groups worldwide.
Famous Songs: “I,” “Fine,” “Spark,” “INVU”
3. BoA
BoA
South Korean singer-songwriter and actress
Born: November 5, 1986 (age 38 years), Guri-si, South Korea
BoA, often called the “Queen of K-pop,” debuted in 2000 at age 13. She was one of the first Korean artists to break into the Japanese market and paved the way for K-pop internationally. With over two decades in the industry, she is a true pioneer. Some of her most notable albums include No.1, Love & Honesty, Outgrow, and Made in Twenty.
Famous Songs: “No.1,” “Only One,” “Atlantis Princess,” “Better”
4. G-Dragon (Kwon Ji-yong)
G-Dragon (Kwon Ji-yong)
South Korean rapper and singer-songwriter
Born: August 18, 1988 (age 36 years), Yongsan District, Seoul, South Korea
Kwon Ji-yong, known as G-Dragon, and debuted in 2006 as the leader of BIGBANG. Known for his songwriting, producing skills, and trend-setting fashion, he helped shape modern K-pop. His solo work and collaborations have influenced a generation of Korean pop and hip-hop artists. Kwon Ji-yong best known as the “King of K-pop”
Famous Songs: “Crooked,” “Untitled, 2014,” “Heartbreaker”
5. Jimin
Jimin
South Korean singer and songwriter
Born: October 13, 1995 (age 29 years), Hoedong-dong, Busan, South Korea
Park Ji-min, known mononymously as Jimin, is a songwriter, and dancer. In 2013, he made his debut as a member of the South Korean boy band BTS, under the record label Big Hit Entertainment.
Genres: K-pop, pop, contemporary R&B
Famous Songs: “Like Crazy,” “Set Me Free Pt.2,” “Filter” (with BTS)
6. Sunmi (Lee Sun-mi)
Sunmi (Lee Sun-mi)
South Korean singer and dancer
Born: May 2, 1992 (age 33 years), Iksan-si, South Korea
Lee Sun-mi, known mononymously as Sunmi, is a dancer, songwriter and record producer. She debuted in 2007 as a member of South Korean girl group Wonder Girls and left the group in 2010 to pursue her studies.
After going solo, she established a unique musical style often described as “Sunmi-pop,” combining retro sounds with modern beats.
Genres: K-pop, retro pop, synth-pop
Famous Songs: “Gashina,” “Heroine,” “Tail,” “Siren”
7. Jay Park
Jay Park
South Korean rapper and singer-songwriter
Born: April 25, 1987 (age 38 years), Seattle, Washington, United States
Jay Park, Korean name Park Jae-beom, is an American rapper, singer-songwriter and dancer based in South Korea.
Jay Park debuted with 2PM in 2008 but left the group and reinvented himself as a solo artist. He became one of the biggest names in Korean hip-hop and R&B and founded music labels AOMG and H1GHR MUSIC, helping shape the Korean hip-hop scene.
Genres: R&B, hip-hop, K-hip-hop
Famous Songs: “Mommae,” “Me Like Yuh,” “Solo”
8. Rosé (Roseanne Park)
Rosé (Roseanne Park)
New Zealand-South Korean singer-songwriter
Born: February 11, 1997 (age 28 years), Auckland, New Zealand
Roseanne Park, known mononymously as Rosé, is a New Zealand and South Korean singer and songwriter. Rosé debuted with BLACKPINK in 2016 under YG Entertainment. Known for her distinctive airy voice, she released solo music in 2021, achieving global chart success.
Genres: K-pop, pop, indie-pop
Famous Songs: “On The Ground,” “Gone,” “Hard to Love” (with BLACKPINK)
9. Sohyang (Kim So-hyang)
Sohyang (Kim So-hyang)
South Korean singer
Born: April 5, 1978 (age 47 years), Gwangju, South Korea
Kim So-hyang, known mononymously as Sohyang, is a singer-songwriter. According to Sohyang, her goal is to use her voice to comfort people who are going through difficult times.
Sohyang is often called the “Mariah Carey of Korea” for her incredible vocal range and power. She is widely respected for her live performances and is often invited to music shows to showcase her unmatched vocals.
Famous Songs: “Lean on Me,” “You Raise Me Up” (covers), “Song of the Wind”
10. Baekhyun (Byun Baek-hyun)
Baekhyun (Byun Baek-hyun)
South Korean singer and actor
Born: May 6, 1992 (age 33 years), Jung-dong, Bucheon-si, South Korea
Byun Baek-hyun, known mononymously as Baekhyun, is a singer and actor. He debuted in 2012 as a member of EXO and later EXO-CBX and SuperM. In 2019, Baekhyun became a leader of the supergroup SuperM. He has a successful solo career, focusing on R&B-influenced pop music, and is known for his smooth, emotional vocal style.
Famous Songs: “Candy,” “UN Village,” “Bambi”
11. J-Hope (Jung Ho-seok)
J-Hope (Jung Ho-seok)
South Korean rapper and singer-songwriter
Born: February 18, 1994 (age 31 years), Ilgok-dong, Gwangju, South Korea
Jung Ho-seok, known professionally as J-Hope, is a rapper, singer-songwriter, dancer, and record producer. He made his debut as a member of South Korean boy band BTS in 2013, under Big Hit Entertainment. J-Hope released his first solo mixtape, Hope World, in 2018.
J-Hope debuted as a rapper and dancer with BTS. His solo work blends energetic rap with positive themes. His 2022 album Jack In The Box showcased his artistic versatility.
Famous Songs: “Chicken Noodle Soup,” “Arson,” “MORE”
12. RM (Kim Nam-joon)
RM (Kim Nam-joon)
South Korean rapper and songwriter
Born: September 12, 1994 (age 30 years), Sangdo-dong, Seoul, South Korea
Kim Nam-joon, known professionally as RM, is a rapper, songwriter, and record producer. He is the leader of South Korean boy band BTS, under Big Hit Entertainment.
RM is the leader and main rapper of BTS, known for his lyrical depth and fluency in English. His solo album Indigo (2022) was highly praised for its introspective lyrics.
Famous Songs: “Wild Flower,” “Indigo,” “Intro: Persona”
13. HyunA (Kim Hyun-ah)
HyunA (Kim Hyun-ah)
South Korean singer-songwriter and rapper
Born: June 6, 1992 (age 33 years), Hongje-dong, Seoul, South Korea
Kim Hyun-ah, known professionally as Hyuna, is a singer-songwriter, rapper and model. She debuted as a member of the girl group Wonder Girls in February 2007. Upon leaving the ensemble shortly after, Hyuna subsequently left JYP Entertainment and joined the girl group 4Minute. Known for her charismatic stage presence, she is considered a trendsetter in K-pop performance style.
Famous Songs: “Bubble Pop!,” “Red,” “I’m Not Cool”
14. Lim Young-woong
Lim Young-woong
South Korean singer
Born: June 16, 1991 (age 34 years), Jeongok-eup, Yeoncheon-gun, South Korea
Lim Young-woong is a ballad, pop, and trot singer, entertainer, and YouTuber. He signed with Mulgogi Music in 2016 and debuted as a singer with his first single “Hate You”.
He gained national fame after winning the 2020 show Mr. Trot. He revitalized interest in trot music among younger generations and is now one of Korea’s top solo male singers
Famous Songs: “Trust in Me,” “My Starry Love,” “Love Always Runs Away”
15. Ailee (Amy Lee)
Ailee (Amy Lee)
South Korean singer-songwriter
Born: May 30, 1989 (age 36 years), Denver, Colorado, United States
Amy Lee, known professionally as Ailee, is an American singer and songwriter based in South Korea. Amassing digital sales success in South Korea, she has released four studio albums, six extended plays, and twenty one singles, six of which charted within the top five of the Gaon Digital Chart.
Ailee debuted in 2012 and quickly became one of Korea’s most powerful vocalists. Her emotional ballads are often featured in K-drama soundtracks, and her live performances are known for their strength and precision. She bridges Western-style R&B with Korean ballad traditions, appealing to both local and international fans.
Famous Songs: “I Will Go to You Like the First Snow,” “Heaven,” “U&I”