Top 10 K-pop Queens You May Not Have Heard of

Lee Hyori first rose to fame in 1998 as a member of the girl group FinKL, one of the earliest K-pop idol groups. Since then, she transitioned into a successful solo artist. Known as the Queen of Sexy Appeal in K-pop, Lee Hyori is often seen in figure-hugging outfits with striking eyeliner. A first-generation K-pop icon, she cemented her status as Korea's 'sexy symbol' with her stunning visuals, commanding stage presence, and irresistible charm. After five years with FinKL, Lee Hyori launched her first solo album 'Stylish' in 2003, solidifying her position as the group's most popular member and laying the groundwork for her solo career. She had a massive breakthrough with her hit single '10 Minutes,' propelling her to the top of music charts. The Queen of Sexy Appeal even set a Guinness World Record for the most articles written about her, with a peak of 891 headlines across various news outlets. In a consumer survey, she was voted as the female entertainer with the most powerful brand influence.

Ahn Hee Yeon, better known as Hani, is a South Korean singer, actress, and entertainer. She gained fame as a member of the girl group EXID, which debuted in 2012, and later formed the subunit Solji Hani (formerly Dasoni). EXID officially debuted on February 15, 2012, with the release of their debut single 'Whoz That Girl.' In February 2013, Hani and fellow EXID member Heo Sol-ji formed the duo Dasoni and released their debut single 'Goodbye,' which included the track 'Said So Often.'

In August 2014, EXID released their single 'Up & Down.' Initially, the song had poor rankings and did not make it into the top 100 on the Gaon Chart. However, the song gained popularity towards the end of November when a fan-captured video of the group performing went viral. As a result, Hani earned the title of Queen of Fancams, a title that still stands today with no one surpassing her. Hani's fancam instantly went viral and is said to have saved EXID from disbandment. By 2019, the video had over 37 million views on YouTube, and her most recent fancam released this year garnered 2.3 million views.

The Blackpink girls continue to make waves, especially Jennie, who is flourishing in the fashion scene with the title Queen of Fashion. A quick glance at Jennie's Instagram reveals her modeling for luxury brands like Calvin Klein, Chanel, and Gentle Monster. She is constantly praised for her style and has even earned the nickname 'Human Chanel' for her dedication to the high-fashion house.

Jennie's influence is immense, able to turn even the simplest fashion items into trendsetters. During a performance for her 2018 solo single 'Solo,' Jennie wore hairpins on each side of her hair, and these pins quickly gained attention, becoming known as 'Jennie's hairpins.' Despite being just simple hair accessories, they became a style statement because of Jennie.

In March 2021, Jennie also contributed as an editor for Vogue Korea, planning photoshoots, selecting concepts, and styling the looks, later modeling on the cover herself. Jennie's success as a fashion icon is largely due to her poised style. Confident and alluring, Jennie has proven time and again that she can pull off any fashion style or concept. With her inherent charm, Jennie radiates a sophistication that attracts top-tier fashion brands, making her a beloved figure in the fashion world.

Yoona, the Queen of the Red Carpet, is an actress and singer who has become a prominent figure in the entertainment world since her debut over 15 years ago. She is now the visual center of the national girl group Girls' Generation and one of the most influential stars in the Asia-Pacific region. Before her success with Girls' Generation, Yoona appeared in over 200 commercials, TV dramas, films, and music videos.

From the moment she debuted, Yoona captured the spotlight with her flawless visuals. With large eyes, a high nose, and a small face, Yoona is not only regarded as one of the top visuals of the second generation of K-pop but also as a legendary visual queen among female idols of all time. Yoona is best known for her pure, angelic, and goddess-like appearance. Beyond being a successful idol, Yoona is also a popular advertisement model, representing numerous brands, and has appeared in many television dramas and films. No matter where she is or what she is doing, Yoona from Girls' Generation always looks perfect! While she looks stunning at all times, her glamorous red carpet looks have particularly captivated attention.

So You (Sistar) has earned the title of Queen of Collaborations, with her sweet duets and joint tracks breaking records in the music industry. The Sistar member recently released a new collaboration with Kwon Jung Yeol from 10cm, which gained massive attention, topping music charts and winning on music shows.

Looking back at her history, So You (Sistar)'s previous collaborations have been equally well-received by both fans and new listeners alike. 'Officially Missing You, Too,' a cover of Tamia’s hit, showcased the beautiful blend of So You's gentle voice with Geeks' rap, making it a go-to track for anyone reminiscing about someone special. It became a major chart-topper. Another standout is 'Stupid Love,' a collaboration with Mad Clown, which became one of the biggest songs of 2013.

So You's alluring vocals combined with Mad Clown's powerful rap in 'Stupid Love' offered fans an emotional exploration of a complicated love story. The song topped music charts immediately upon release and reached number one on all major music platforms. Perhaps her most iconic collaboration is the duet 'Some' with Junggigo, which has become one of the most successful and beloved tracks of her career. The music video has garnered over 108 million views, a testament to its massive popularity.

Queen of Ice is the title given to Jessica Jung during her time with the iconic K-pop group Girls' Generation. Also known simply as Jessica, she is a singer, songwriter, actress, author, fashion designer, and entrepreneur of Korean-American descent. Jessica was the first member of Girls' Generation to sign with SM Entertainment back in 2000. She garnered attention for her beautiful voice within the group, becoming an international star. In 2017, she was included in Forbes' 30 Under 30 Asia list, recognizing her as one of the most influential individuals under the age of 30.

Jessica earned the moniker Queen of Ice due to her occasionally cold and serious demeanor. Songs like 'Love Hate,' 'Fly,' 'Mabinogi,' 'What To Do,' and 'Say Yes' cemented her position as a global artist. In addition to captivating audiences with her vocal prowess, Jessica attracted a large fan base on social media with her pure, innocent appearance. She also had a successful modeling career and was admired for her impeccable fashion sense. Besides her music career, Jessica has ventured into acting with roles in movies such as 'I AM.' and 'My Other Home,' as well as TV dramas like 'Unstoppable Marriage,' 'Wild Romance,' and the reality show 'Jessica & Krystal.'

In every generation of idols, there is always one star who is recognized as the most beautiful, capturing attention with their stunning looks. Known as the Queen of Beauty for the New Generation, Jang Wonyoung consistently dazzles with her radiant and beautiful appearance. A member of the K-pop group IVE under Starship Entertainment, Jang Wonyoung first rose to fame as a former member of the project group IZ*One, winning first place on Mnet's survival show Produce 48 in 2018. She is now an active member of IVE and one of the hottest K-pop idols of today.

Jang Wonyoung of IVE often takes the stage with refined makeup that includes striking large contact lenses, crystal-clear eyes, and radiant blush. However, it's her fresh, natural beauty that truly captivates netizens! When she isn't heavily made-up, people are drawn even more to her flawless, natural features, highlighting her perfect facial structure. With her pure and natural look, she radiates the presence of a top visual idol, just like during her time on Produce 101. Social media users universally agree that Wonyoung was born to be a star.

Queen of Charts IU is a renowned solo singer and songwriter. With her iconic voice and exceptional acting skills, IU is one of the brightest stars in the South Korean entertainment industry. IU debuted as a solo singer at the age of 15 in 2008, with a powerful voice and an irresistible stage presence. Over the years, she has grown and evolved with the K-pop genre. After 13 years, IU has become an inspiration for millions and one of the most successful solo artists in Korean music, selling millions of albums annually.

As a true K-pop icon, some of IU's biggest hits include “Celebrity,” “BBIBBI,” and “Blueming,” along with countless other chart-toppers. IU has paved the way for K-pop music and culture, becoming a trailblazer in the industry. She is a talented artist and songwriter who has won the hearts of fans worldwide. Notably, in 2021, IU became the first Korean solo artist to have 5 songs achieve over 200 million digital index points. No other artist in history has reached such high numbers. She surpassed 4 million followers on Spotify and achieved 100 million streams for two tracks, making her the first female solo artist from Korea to do so.

Another remarkable record for IU is her achievement of over 470 million cumulative listeners on Korean streaming platforms. She is the first solo artist to earn Gaon Platinum certifications for albums, downloads, and streaming. Additionally, she became the first woman in history to surpass 100 million streams on Melon’s chart with “Celebrity” and 200 million streams with “Palette.” With 1,937,707,182 streams on Genie Music, IU is the most streamed artist in the history of the platform.

Hong Jin Young is a renowned Trot singer and entertainer from South Korea. She made her debut as a member of the girl group SWAN in 2007, quickly becoming the most popular member. Initially, she rejected the idea of pursuing a solo career at the suggestion of her management company, but eventually, she decided to go for it. In 2009, Hong Jin Young returned to the music scene as a Trot singer with her debut single 'Love Battery.' The track earned her the title of Best Trot Song at the Mnet Asian Music Awards.

Known as the Queen of Trot Music, Hong Jin Young gained even more recognition through her appearances on popular variety shows and her frequent presence at events throughout South Korea, such as 'We Got Married,' 'Running Man,' and 'Happy Together.' Her musical talents have earned her multiple awards, including the Mnet Asian Music Award, Golden Disk Award, and Seoul Music Award. The Queen of Trot also ventured into acting, making her first appearance in the 2006 drama 'Yeon Gaesomun' and the same year starring in the film 'Who Slept with Her?'

If you search for the title Queen of Kpop right now, the first name that will come up is BoA. Kwon Bo-Ah, better known by her stage name BoA, is one of the most influential and successful Kpop idols of all time. She began her Kpop career at just 13 years old in 2000. Part of the second generation of Kpop idols, she debuted as a solo artist and was the first Kpop idol to make a significant impact on the Japanese market. After just one year into her career, she chose to focus on her musical journey in Japan, becoming a pioneer for Kpop in the country. BoA made history as the first non-Japanese Asian artist to sell two million albums in Japan.

Despite the emergence of many new Kpop stars, BoA continues to hold the title of Queen of Kpop. At the 2020 MAMA Awards, she was honored with the 'Inspiration Achievement Award,' making her the first Korean artist to receive this prestigious accolade, alongside other legends like Quincy Jones, Janet Jackson, Yasushi Akimoto, and Pet Shop Boys. After over 21 years in the entertainment industry, BoA remains active, releasing new music and appearing as a judge or coach on various television shows. Additionally, she serves as the creative director at SM Entertainment, the company behind Kpop giants like Exo and NCT.