Over the years, we have seen countless female talents debuting into the K-pop arena, constantly competing with their sexy or aegyo looks, killer voices, and electrifying dance moves. With the abundance of K-idols in hand, here’s our top six favourite female phenomenon who have shown us that beauty is not all it takes to be a #Queen.
1. CL (2NE1)
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Having debuted in 2007, 2NE1’s leader CL – real name Lee Chaerin – has scored numerous titles, including Hottest Female Star, Best Female Solo Artist, Top 10 Style Icons and “Baddest” Female. The 24-year-old singer stands out with her unique sense of style that brings together glamour and hip hop (it helps that she’s super tight with designer Jeremy Scott). Nevertheless, looks are not only CL’s strong suit. The star has also been named one of the greatest voices and rappers in South Korea, crossing borders and securing a debut in the US as a solo artist with 2015 single “Hello Bitches.”
2. BoA
©High Cut
No matter what anyone says, BoA is and has always been the Queen of K-pop, being the first female idol to promote Korean pop abroad long before the boom of Hallyu in late the 2000’s. Kwon BoA was discovered by SM Entertainment at the age of 11, and since then, the artist has secured her place as top artist in both South Korea and Japan, releasing albums in both languages. With over a decade in the industry, the singer has released 17 studio album with 76 singles, including an American debut album, BoA, in 2009. She held her BoA Special Live 2015: NOWNESS concert last year to commemorate her 15th anniversary since debut.
3. HyunA (4Minute)
HyunA has proven her place in the K-pop with her skilful rapping, talented acting abilities and sexy persona. The ex-Wonder Girls member first debuted as the group’s main rapper 2006 under JYP Entertainment. In 2011, the singer ranked 17th on Billboard’s ’21 Under 21′, under the same list as Justin Bieber, Selena Gomez and Miley Cyrus, and soon after, joined BEAST’s Hyunseung under co-ed unit Trouble Maker. Last year, HyunA released her fourth mini-album A+, the lead single from which garnered two million views on YouTube on the first day. Now also ex-4Minute member (as the group officially disbanded this month), we’re certain HyunA’s got a bright future ahead of her as a full-on solo artist.
4. Lee Hyori
With over two decades of experience in the industry, South Korea’s “Nation Fairy” was the highest-paid female singer in 2006. The star has consistently kept fans updated since her initial debut in pop girl group Fin.K.L. in 1998. Since then, Hyori has took the role as a solo artist, later embarking to an acting career on television but the 37-year-old star didn’t abandon music completely. Every K-pop fans remember the “U-Go-Girl” craze back in 2008, and there was no escaping “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” in 2010. In 2013, Hyori released her fifth studio album Monochrome, which earned her Best Female Artist at the 2013 Mnet Asian Music Awards. The successful album is also a farewell present to her fans as she’s taking some time away from the limelight to start a family.
5. Hyolyn (Sistar)
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Born Kim Hyojin, Hyolyn debuted on 2012 as a member of girl group Sistar. The 25-year-old idol is constantly crowned at the top whenever there’s a vocal-related ranking (need proof? Watch her sing “Halo” and “Let It Go“). What separates her from the rest of K-pop’s other vocalist champions like Lee Hi or Ailee, though, is her dancing abilities and undeniable stage presence. With Sistar, whose music videos and performances are known to be eye-popping and boundary-pushing, Hyolyn shines as a serious danseuse, n.b. “Alone” or “Ma Boyz. The singer released her solo album Love & Hate in 2013, which earned her the honour of performing in a showcase on Mnet ahead of other promotional activities. Only top artists like BoA, Lee Hyori and Rain have been given this privilege by the TV station.
6. Tiffany (Girls’ Generation)
(Did you think we’re going to finish off this list without a nod to K-pop’s biggest girl group? Hah.)
Tiffany, or Stephanie Hwang, is the second member in Girls’ Generation to turn a soloist, and she credited the nine-year experience of being in the group for the success of her solo debut. Tinged with 80’s dreamy synth-pop sound, her EP I Just Wanna Dance debuted No. 1 on iTunes in 12 countries, No. 3 on Billboard‘s World Albums chart as well as No. 10 on the Heatseekers Albums chart, on which appearances from K-pop artists are very scarce. One of the strongest vocalists in Girls’ Generation, she seldom received the same praise as a dancer. Nonetheless, the solo debut lets her up her game and shine as both. Tiffany is also active as actress and TV host.
