Top 10 K-Pop Idols Who Went Solo

After coming in fourth on the K-pop competition show “Produce 101,” Chungha was placed in the season’s final girl group I.O.I. Less than a year later, it was announced they would part ways, but Chungha went on to debut as a solo artist. As of September 2022, she’s released four EP’s and two studio albums. In 2019, her track “Gotta Go” reached number one on the Billboard K-pop Hot 100. She was also awarded the MAMA for “Best Female Artist.” Her success has only grown as she continues to make waves with collaborations and iconic dance-filled videos.

Zico initially rose to fame as the leader of boy group Block B. However, the year before their debut, his first solo mixtape “Zico on the Block” had already established his reputation in the hip hop community. As an idol, producer, and rapper, Zico has continued to release music as a soloist throughout his career, and even started his own label. In 2016, he was awarded the MAMA for “Best Male Artist.” The combination of his idol status and his hip hop influence has been met with some backlash. Still, his chart-topping collaborations and solo works have made him an industry giant in his own right.

Revered as the “Idol's Idol,” Taemin started out as a member of boy group SHINee in 2008. His solo career took off when his debut EP “Ace” shot to the top of the Gaon Album Chart. His first album came out a few years later. Taemin has since gone on to release iconic hit singles such as “Move,” and “Criminal.” His performance of the former track even started “Move Disease.” The diagnosis? People couldn’t help but dance along to its catchy choreography. Known for his unique talent as a performer, his reputation as a soloist nearly rivals his career with K-pop giant SHINee, an impressive feat to say the least.

You might know Taeyang from one of the biggest boy groups of all time: BIGBANG. Yet the idol’s solo career has been no less explosive. With a series of singles that charted in the top 5 internationally, his popularity earned him the title of “Korean Prince of R&B.” His iconic tracks owned the early to mid-2010s, and he has the pedigree to prove it. His single “Eyes, Nose, Lips” was named “Song of the Year” at the 2014 MAMAs and his album “Rise” broke a K-pop record on the Billboard 200. One second, we’re going to cry along to “Wedding Dress” now.

Sunmi originally debuted with the Wonder Girls, the legendary K-pop girl group that hardly needs an introduction. After parting ways with them in 2010 and taking a break from the industry, she returned in 2013 as a solo artist. While she would later re-join Wonder Girls, she’s also gone on to build a standalone career by herself. Her singles have done extremely well on the Gaon chart, and she’s collected an impressive slew of awards including “Artist of the Year” and “Best Female Artist.” When asked how she found her own sound or musical identity, Sunmi replied that she learned to “fan girl over [herself.]” We get it, Sunmi, we’re fangirling too.

Crowned the "King of K-pop," G-Dragon’s star started to rise when he began leading boy group BIGBANG. The artist has never been afraid to forge his own path and set trends, and he came in hot as a soloist. His very first individual project, “Heartbreaker,” won “Album of the Year” at the 2009 MAMAs. He proved it wasn’t a fluke with his well-received 2012 EP, “One of a Kind,” and continued to earn charting records worldwide. Outside of his impact as a performer and idol, G-Dragon is highly regarded for his influence in fashion, the rap and hip hop scene, and music production.

HyunA is no stranger to debuts. She’s notably been a member of the Wonder Girls, 4Minute, and K-pop trio Triple H throughout the years. But her days as a soloist started in 2010. Her hit song “Bubble Pop!” sold millions of copies and took the industry by storm the following year. Though she’s been involved with label controversies, namely involving her relationship with fellow K-pop artist Dawn, HyunA’s consistently churned out singles that perform extremely well. The award-winning star marches to the beat of her own drum, and she’s made her mark on the industry with her quirky, performance-driven style.

After getting her start with Girls’ Generation in 2007, Taeyeon became known for her emotionally expressive vocals. Even before officially going out on her own, she earned recognition with her popular original soundtrack recordings for Korean series. In 2015, the singer’s debut single snagged the number one spot on the Gaon chart. Over the course of her solo career, she’s sold more than twenty million digital singles. The highly-decorated singer also hit the seven million Instagram follower mark in 2015, a feat no other woman in K-pop had achieved at that point. That number has only increased since, and her 2022 album “INVU” has further added to her success.

Lee Hyori is the definition of a K-pop icon. Part of the trailblazing first generation of K-pop, she entered the scene with girl group Fin.K.L in 1998. She soared to superstardom in 2003 when her debut solo album and single won multiple highly-esteemed Daesang awards. In 2006, she became South Korea’s highest-paid female soloist. She also expanded her career into acting, hosting, and even producing some of her releases. Recently, she joined fellow soloists Uhm Jung-hwa, Jessi, and Hwasa to create the era-defying girl group the Refund Sisters. Her powerful presence proves her status as an icon won’t ever expire.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Kang Daniel
The Former Wanna One Member Turned Chart-Topping Soloist

Jay Park
The K-Hip Hop Artist Was Formerly the Leader of 2PM

Wonho
The Sultry Soloist First Debuted with Boy Group Monsta X

Dawn
The Former Pentagon Rapper Has Paved His Own Way

Kai
The EXO Member Began His Solo Career in 2020

The self-proclaimed “Baddest Female” in K-pop, CL first debuted as the leader of girl group 2NE1 in 2009. When they took a break in 2015, she dove headfirst into cultivating her career as a soloist. Not long after, she set a record as the first Korean female soloist on the Billboard Hot 100. As her international success grew, she became widely recognized for her part in K-pop’s worldwide breakthrough. A fashion icon known for her edgy and unapologetic image, she’s worked with a long list of iconic brands and designers. She’s also made history at the Met Gala, performed at Coachella with 2NE1, and collaborated with Psy and the Black Eyed Peas. In other words, CL’s breakout as a solo rapstress is unparalleled.