粉丝实地指南 · K-pop 세대 치트시트

K-pop generations cheat sheetK-pop 세대 치트시트

Generation labels are industry shorthand. They overlap. A 2017 debut can be argued either way. We use them on the timeline so a new fan can place IU next to RIIZE without a ranking.

• 1st — 1990s to early 2000s pioneers.
• 2nd — roughly 2003–2012 Hallyu expansion.
• 3rd — roughly 2012–2018 global breakthrough.
• 4th — roughly 2018–2022 hyper-global era.
• 5th — 2023–present newest wave.

Full essays: history hub. Timeline: debut timeline.