MTV Iggy: The 10 Most Significant K-Pop Idols of the 2000s

 GET TO KNOW THE GROUNDBREAKING ACTS OF THE KOREAN WAVE

Koreans used to joke about being the "shrimp among whales" -- stuck between the cultural behemoths of China and Japan. 

Over the past decade, however, a massive Korean (Hallyu) wave of pop music exports appears to have subsumed the whales.

Newly crowned MTV Iggy 2011 Best New Band 2NE1 represent this global music phenomenon, despite the fact that it's still relatively unknown in the West. An umbrella term for just about any musical style, hallmarks of K-pop include precision dancing, high production values, a motley array of acronyms for group names, and squeaky-clean all-boy/all-girl groups that feel like throwbacks to the late-'90s Disney NSync/Backstreet Boy factory. Only, somehow...better. 

The K-pop wave is about to become a global tsunami, so let's take a quick chronological look back at the decade that brought us to this point. Specifically through the acts that charted the course. The acts that didn't just sell millions of records, they set milestones, paving the way every year for a bigger wave the next.

PLEASE NOTE: Bands are ordered chronologically from the oldest to the newest. Not ranked from least to most significant.

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YG Family Concert is a Night to Remember

Music has the great power to overcome obstacles as well as time, and 2NE1, Big Bang, Se7en, Gummy, Jinusean, Psy and Tablo, the newest addition to the YG Entertainment family, came together to become one through music.

The YG artists gathered on the Gymnastics Stadium stage at Seoul’s Olympic Park on December 4 for the 15th Anniversary YG Family Concert, where they performed for a crowd of 13,000 screaming fans.

2NE1 opened the show with hit song Fire before captivating the audience with performances of Can’t Nobody and Go Away. Member Sandara Park couldn’t contain her joy when she said, “I can’t tell if it’s a dream or reality that 2NE1 is taking part in YG Family’s 15th anniversary.”

The baton was then passed off to group Big Bang, who took to the stage for the first time together as five members in eight months. This marked the first time all of the members were greeting fans as one group since Daesung’s car accident and since G-Dragon was charged for marijuana use.

G-Dragon and Daesung Apologize to Fans at YG Family Concert

At the YG Family Concert, G-Dragon and Daesung spoke for the first time about the unfortunate incidents that happened over the past year. All five Big Bang members performed together for the first time since their “Love Song” promotions earlier this year.

After singing “Tonight,” T.O.P first opened up by saying, “It’s overwhelming to have all five Big Bang members back together on the same stage,” bringing tears to thousands of fans in attendance. “I’m happy to be on stage to celebrate YG Entertainment’s 15th year anniversary. This past year was a busy and eventful year for YGE, yet you all stood by us and supported us and we’d like to thank you for that.”

Yahoo Japan's Top Searched Celebrities

Yahoo Japan recently released data for the top searched terms in 2011 for male entertainers, female entertainers, and sport athletes. From the list of 20, a whopping 18 spots were filled by Koreans.

Why is BigBang so big?

Hallyu superstar group Big Bang has definitely lived up to its name. Since Big Bang debuted in 2006, this groundbreaking five-member idol group has collectively sold over one million albums and EPs in Korea and Japan. Known for their uniquely spicy hip-hop meets pop-rock blend, the members of Big Bang - G-Dragon, Taeyang, T.O.P., Daesung, and Seungri - have collected almost a dozen number 1 radio singles and carved for themselves a respected niche in Korean entertainment. The group recently solidified their Hallyu star status by taking home the 2011 MTV Europe Music Award for Best Worldwide Act.

Big Bang and Music

While other idol groups are accused of being "manufactured" and "artificial", singing and performing songs taught to them by their managers, this cannot be said of Big Bang. The individual and collective talents of Big Bang members are just so obvious that it is impossible to fit them into the usual "idol group mold".

Which Celebrity Made the Most Money from Copyright Fees?

Big Bang’s G Dragon, Beast’s Yong Jun Hyung, and songwriter Jo Young Soo are making lots of money from copyright fees?

Previously, Yong Jun Hyung revealed that he makes so much that it’s hard for him to handle. G Dragon is also popularly known to write and compose songs. There are even rumors that G Dragon drives around in a Bentley Continental GT while Yong Jun Hyung drives an M5. 

Celebrities Take Part in the Cartier LOVE Jewelry Charity Campaign

Ten of the entertainment industry’s most beautiful people lent their star power to a worthy cause spearheaded by Cartier. For the entire month of December beginning on the 2^nd, part of the proceeds from the sales of Cartier LOVE jewelry modelled by the celebrities will be donated to the International Vaccination Organization.

Song Seung Heon, Jeon Ji Hyun, Lee Young Ae, Kim Ha Neul, Cha Seung Won, Go Soo, Yoon Eun Hye, Lee Min Ho, Lee Min Jung and Big Bang’s TOP are featured in the campaign. Photographs of the celebrities were earlier released but the exhibit will open to the public at the Cartier Boutique in Cheongdam-dong in Seoul on December 2. The exhibit will likewise run for the duration of the special campaign.