4 most powerful people in Kpop over the past 50 years

June 6, 2021Last Updated: June 6, 2021

2 minutes read

These four characters have made significant contributions to the Korean music industry. They laid the groundwork for Kpop to become what it is today.

Recently, Ilgan Sports conducted a poll of 100 significant personalities in the entertainment industry. Producers, directors, and agencies were among those asked to identify the top four “Power People” in K-Pop during the previous 50 years.

Let’s take a look at the results!

1. Cho Yong Pil

Cho Yong-pil is a South Korean singer who is considered one of the most influential figures in Korean popular music. He debuted as a member of the rock band Atkins in 1968 and made his solo debut with the hit single “Come Back to Busan Port” in 1976.

Cho has released 19 solo albums and has remained consistently popular during his 50-year career. He was recognized with the Eungwan Order of Cultural Merit for his enormous impact on the Kpop music scene.

2. Seo Taeji and BTS

BTS and Seo Taeji are tied for second place.

Seo Taeji, is a South Korean singer, musician, songwriter, and record producer. After dropping out of high school to pursue a music career, he has risen to become one of the most prominent and influential cultural icons in South Korea, with many referring to him as “the President of Culture”.

Taeji established Seo Taeji and Boys in 1992 after a brief time in the heavy metal band Sinawe, with whom he gained quick popularity. They contributed significantly more to Korean pop culture and its development in the 1990s by adding elements of popular musical genres from the West. An interesting fact is that Yang Hyun Suk, founder and former president of YG Entertainment, was also a member of Seo Taeji and Boys.

BTS is the most popular K-Pop group today. They’ve made huge strides in disseminating Kpop over the world. They are continually breaking YouTube records as a measure of their popularity. They’ve also earned a slew of national and international awards, including Billboard Music Awards and American Music Awards. With their English and Korean songs, BTS has dominated the world. Right now, they’re simply unstoppable.

3. Lee Soo Man

Lee Soo-man (born June 18, 1952) is a South Korean record executive and producer best known for founding SM Entertainment, a worldwide South Korean entertainment company based in Seoul. He has also been called the “president of culture” for his role in launching the Korean Wave. Lee began his career as a singer while still a student at Seoul National University in 1971. In 1989, he created SM Entertainment, which has since grown to become one of South Korea’s major entertainment firms.

SM’s artists such as HOT, TVXQ, Super Junior, Boa, Girls’ Generation, EXO, Red Velvet, NCT, and aespa are all key figures who created today’s idol music industry.