South Korean boy band BTS gained worldwide success, especially this 2018. They have already delivered a speech in the United Nations, set multiple records, topped the Billboard 200 chart twice, and sold out tickets in North America in Europe. It only shows how the boy band goes to the United States and how it influences the Western markets.
Although this is not the first time a K-pop band break into the US, BTS has given global fans the taste of K-pop as their songs usually have catchy melodies, conceptual staging, powerful choreography, as well as heartfelt lyrics.
But, aside from BTS, these three K-pop bands are also on the rise in dominating the West, as per the South China Morning Post.
Stray Kids
Stray Kids is boy band formed by JYP Entertainment in 2017, where it started to make a big buzz after landing at No. 2 spot on the US Billboard world albums chart in January after their pre-debut album, Mixtape. The boy band has been recognized because of their powerful performance and hip-hop-laden dance tracks, and their goal is to create music where people in their late teens and early 20s can relate to.
Stray Kids is composed of nine members, I.N., Seungmin, Felix, Han, Hyunjin, Changbin, Lee Know, Bang Chan, and Woojin. On October 22, they released their third mini-album titled I am You.
Monsta X
Monsta X is another South Korean boy band, formed in 2015 by Mnet survival show No Mercy, and is composed of seven members I.M, Jooheon, Hyungwon, Kihyun, Minhyuk, Wonho, and Shownu. They were considered to be one of the promising K-pop bands that could influence the global music, and because of their popularity and success overseas, the boy bad is usually being compared to BTS.
Just recently, Monsta X wrapped up their second world tour, 2018 Monsta X World Tour: The Connect, which took in 20 cities across Asia, America, and Europe. Member Kihyun said they feel honored in representing K-pop as the movement is now being recognized globally.
"We feel they really care about us and our music. Some foreign producers have asked to take selfies with and asked about our upcoming album and concert plans," he said.
NCT 127
NCT 127 is a Seoul-based sub-unit of South Korean boy band NCT formed by SM Entertainment. Originally made up of 18 members, NCT is divided into three sub-units: NCT 127, NCT Dream, and NCT U. Among the three, NCT 127 has gained global success. After making their debut in 2016, the boy band is now composed of 10 members Jungwoo, Haechan, Mark, Winwin, Doyoung, Yuta, Johnny, Taeil, Taeyong, and Jaehyun.
NCT 127's presence was felt in South Korea as well as overseas after releasing of their first full-length album, Regular-Irregular, on October 12. Up to this date, the boy band has been the second-highest charting K-pop boy band on the Billboard 200 albums chart after BTS.
