If You Love K-Pop, Then You Have To Listen To These 10 Global Artists

If You Love K-Pop, Then You Have To Listen To These 10 Global Artists

K-Pop is an ever-growing and ever-changing music genre that continues to expand its reach across every corner of the world. The music industry in South Korea is one that’s mastered the art of finding, training, and molding talent until its idols have captured millions of hearts. Rather than dreaming of one day becoming something like a doctor or a teacher, young people aspire to in the footsteps of their favorite idols they see on TV.

K-Pop trainees make their way to Seoul from all over the world. Within groups like NCT 127, TWICE, and Stray Kids alone, there are members from South Korea, Japan, Canada, and Australia. Because of this wide range of cultures in the industry, fans are exposed to music beyond K-Pop just from hearing their favorite idols talk about their influences and upbringing as well as watching their favorite groups release Japanese singles, something that’s incredibly common. The 10 artists below are perfect for anyone looking to expand their tastes beyond K-Pop while appreciating all forms of music.

10 PARTYFOUL

For fans of ENHYPEN, TOMORROW X TOGETHER, & CRAVITY

PARTYFOUL is a group that, above all, aims to leave a lasting impression on listeners and viewers. The three-member group from Honolulu consists of Jorden, Uch, and Devin, three individuals with their own style, flair, and charm. Like all successful groups, PARTYFOUL blends their differing cultures to work in their favor within their music, which includes vocals and rapping.

After debuting in 2024, they’ve already released their first full-length album, PRELUDE, in March 2025. Consisting of 12 tracks, the album is full of the bouncy instrumentals and heavenly falsettos that fans find in music by TOMORROW X TOGETHER, making them the perfect global group to start with on their journey to finding new music. What’s even better is that PARTYFOUL is just getting started. They’ve undergone plenty of changes since their debut, but, in the state they’re in now, they seem poised to bring a specific type of energy to the Western music landscape that’s been missing for years.

9 PRETZELLE

For fans of TWICE, aespa, & BLACKPINK

This is a bit of a belated recommendation, since Thai group PRETZELLE recently announced that they’d be parting ways, but they still deserve your attention. The three-member girl group debuted in 2020, making this their fifth anniversary as artists at the forefront of T-Pop, a genre that continues to grow.

Just one look at their music videos and music releases throughout the years shows a group that perfectly molds themselves to fit whichever concept they’re trying at the time. Like K-Pop’s biggest girl groups, PRETZELLE has shone in bright, youthful concepts as well as more mature concepts complete with styling and choreography to match. I’ve barely even scratched the surface of their vast discography, but I know this group is perfect for fans of BLACKPINK based on the members’ confidence alone.

8 MIN

For fans of CHUU, ILLIT, & RESCENE

MIN is a superstar. As one of the first Vietnamese female artists with three music videos with over 100 million views, it’s easy to see how she got so popular. Her presence as an artist shines in her videos, complete with immaculate styling, detailed sets, and concepts that match the tone of each song perfectly. She debuted back in 2013, but continues to make her mark as one of Vietnam’s most deserving stars over a decade later.

MIN knows who she is as an artist and has no trouble getting that identity across to listeners.

The sweet vocal tone she communicates through soft falsettos and commanding choruses easily makes her an artist that every K-Pop fan should check out. After so long in the industry, MIN knows who she is as an artist and has no trouble getting that identity across to listeners. Admittedly, I hadn’t heard of her prior to compiling this list, but I’m so excited to dive into her music and see what else Vietnam’s pool of talent has to offer.

7 JO1

For fans of ATEEZ, Stray Kids, & xikers

The undeniable star power of JO1 is easily seen in «BE CLASSIC,» a song that samples Beethoven’s «5th Symphony in C Minor Op. 67 — First Movement» in a way that will have your jaw on the floor by the end of its three-minute runtime. The 11-member boy group hails from Japan and were formed on the first season of Produce 101 Japan in 2019. Their music is experimental in the best way, immediately conjuring up comparisons to NCT 127 and Stray Kids in their production.

JO1 is a unique group in their own right, but, for the sake of gaining the attention of K-Pop fans, other comparisons can be made to KQ Entertainment’s ATEEZ and xikers. These boy groups are known for their powerful performance styles, high-energy choreography, and ability to always give 100%. From watching just a handful of music videos, it’s clear that JO1 deserves similar praise. They’re already fairly well-known, having performed at Japanese Heritage Night at Dodgers Stadium, but they aren’t done growing yet.

6 No Guidnce

For fans of Jung Kook, EXO, & Jaehyun

Anyone who was a fan of One Direction will tell you that no one has filled the Western boy band void since their hiatus began in 2016. I’m among this group, but I’m learning that there are groups out there already who have the potential to rise to similar heights. No Guidnce is an R&B group from the UK consisting of four members, Kaci, Zeekay, Josh, and Eshan. Their Instagram bio claims «#BOYBANDSAREBACK» and I might just believe them.

Their vocals alone are enough to make me save their most recent EP, Confessions of a Loverboy. Whoever put this group together found four guys with some of the most heavenly voices and must’ve felt like they struck gold when they harmonized for the first time. There’s a clear ’90s and early 2000s influence within their music that sounds completely authentic, even in 2025. While boy bands never truly disappeared, it’s been a while since one has tapped into these sounds and this energy.

5 FLO

For fans of MAMAMOO, KISS OF LIFE, & Chung Ha

If you don’t already know FLO, then you can thank me later. The London-based trio includes Jorja, Stella, and Renée, and they’re the Western girl group we’ve all been waiting for. After stepping onto the scene in heels and stellar styling in 2022 under Island Records, FLO dropped their long-awaited debut studio album, Access All Areas, on November 15, 2024. It’s a debut that sees the trio at their most realized.

They’re the Western girl group we’ve all been waiting for.

The 16 tracks, including an introduction by Cynthia Erivo, are R&B at its most hypnotizing and addictive. Their voices were meant to blend together, and this is only proven by their ability to harmonize at a moment’s notice during interviews and on stage in a way that can only be compared to Destiny’s Child. Any fan of girl groups from anywhere in the world needs to check out FLO, especially those who tend to resonate with more mature concepts.

4 ARcC

For fans of RIIZE, NCT 127, & P1Harmony

As the only K-Pop group on this list, ARcC holds a unique position. The seven-member boy group debuted in August 2024, making them just one of the incredible roster of fifth-generation K-Pop acts that continues to grow. With members from Korea, Japan, Vietnam, the US, and Brazil, they’re an example of the kind of cultural collaboration that makes the genre so special.

Their sound feels very reminiscent of ’90s hip-hop in the bounciness of their instrumentals and the smooth delivery of their vocals and rap verses. It can sometimes be difficult for such a young group to authentically speak to these sounds, but ARcC does this in a way that feels almost effortless, specifically in «nu kidz» and «accident ~ at the studio.» Their vocals are seasoned, and their dance skills are extremely fun to watch, so the future looks bright for ARcC.

3 BINI

For fans of TWICE, Wendy, & STAYC

BINI is a rapidly rising girl group from the Philippines who are revolutionizing their own corner of the music industry. At the time of writing this, they’re in the middle of their second world tour, traveling through London, Dubai, and several cities in the US. The eight-member group has all the key elements that make for the biggest K-Pop girl groups, including well-fitted visual concepts, catchy songs, and choreography that could easily suit the likes of TWICE or STAYC.

They’ve already broken into global markets after debuting in 2021, and their rise is nothing to ignore. BINI is a group of undeniably talented Filipino women who are leading the charge for their home country to continue making its mark on a culture that’s always looking for the next big thing. If you love a bright girl group with satisfying voices, you’ll want to check them out before they get even bigger.

2 KUN

For fans of Jackson Wang, Taemin, & SF9

When I first heard «Deadman,» the latest single by Chinese-born artist KUN, I was in awe. The vintage rock sound mixed with his soulful vocal delivery created a sound that isn’t very common in today’s music landscape. What makes his music, and specifically this single, so unique and worthy of praise is KUN’s voice. «Deadman» is wrought with Prince-like falsettos that flow through the entire song, building to a guitar-driven bridge and final chorus that will only make you want to start it over from the beginning.

This is KUN’s first release under 88rising, and it immediately signals a new era both sonically and artistically. The music video is a creative feat in and of itself. In a Western-inspired desert setting, KUN surrenders himself over and over again to love, even if it destroys him every time. K-Pop fans of artists like Jackson Wang of GOT7 or SHINee’s Taemin are no strangers to male artists leaning into their deepest desires through music. For that reason, you shouldn’t hesitate even a second before listening to KUN.

1 XG

For fans of Red Velvet, KATSEYE, & ODD EYE CIRCLE

XG are well-known among K-Pop fans. After debuting in 2022 with «Tippy Toes,» the seven-member girl group has evolved unlike any other. They saw massive success with songs like «SHOOTING STAR» and «LEFT RIGHT,» but, just when you thought they’d found their sound, they dug even deeper into their power with «GRL GVNG,» a harder-hitting sound than what fans were used to. From there, they’d put out the female empowerment anthem «PUPPET SHOW,» the rap-driven «WOKE UP,» and the dance track «SOMETHING AIN’T RIGHT,» just to name a few.

They’re a group that’s never shied away from trying new sounds. With a unique model that sees the Japanese members basing their promotions in South Korea while singing and rapping completely in English, they might’ve figured out the right way to break into three of the largest music markets at once. If you haven’t given them a chance yet, rest assured that XG is sure to have something for every different type of K-Pop fan within their catalog.

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