BTS is the world’s biggest K-pop group right now, with millions of fans everywhere loving their music. Finding the “best” K-pop group is tricky because there are many different ways to measure success.
We looked at everything: Grammy awards, album sales, Spotify streams, chart rankings, global popularity, music awards, and fan support.
This article shows you the facts about which groups are truly at the top. By the end, you’ll understand exactly how BTS, BLACKPINK, SEVENTEEN, and other major groups earned their positions through real numbers and genuine achievements.
Key Takeaways: Best K-pop Groups
- BTS leads globally with 81 million Spotify followers and almost 24 million monthly listeners.
- BLACKPINK won the MTV VMA Best Group in 2025 and rules Western music markets.
- Stray Kids got six number-one albums on Billboard, proving that newer groups can compete with older groups.
- SEVENTEEN, aespa, and (G)I-DLE win awards and try fresh musical ideas.
Who Is The Best K-pop Group In 2026?
Determining the best K-pop group depends entirely on how you measure success. BTS remains the world’s most popular K-pop group with 81 million Spotify followers and devoted fans across every continent.
BLACKPINK dominates Western markets, proving their power by winning the MTV VMA Best Group award in September 2025.
Meanwhile, (G)I-DLE earned Korea’s highest honor, the Seoul Music Awards Daesang, showing their importance through authentic, creative music that resonates domestically.
Top 10 Best K-pop Groups 2026
These rankings come from real streaming numbers, awards won, albums sold, and how much people talk about these groups online and on social media.
| Rank | Group | Type | Spotify Followers | What They Did |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | BTS | Boy Group | 81M | Most popular worldwide |
| 2 | BLACKPINK | Girl Group | 56M | Won MTV VMA Best Group |
| 3 | SEVENTEEN | Boy Group | 13.7M | #3 on Global Artist Chart |
| 4 | Stray Kids | Boy Group | 21M | Six #1 albums on Billboard |
| 5 | TWICE | Girl Group | 23.5M | Best-selling girl group |
| 6 | (G)I-DLE | Girl Group | 11M | Won Seoul Music Awards |
| 7 | aespa | Girl Group | 9.9M | Won Song of the Year |
| 8 | ENHYPEN | Boy Group | 13M | Growing fast with young fans |
| 9 | TXT | Boy Group | 12M | Won Best Song and Album |
| 10 | IVE | Girl Group | 6.3M | Rising stars right now |
K-pop has room for both longtime favorites and new groups that are setting the trends. Newer boy groups like Stray Kids and ENHYPEN are earning millions of listeners and breaking records that took older groups years to achieve.
What’s interesting is that some groups do better in America and Europe, while others are kings in Korea.
1. BTS
| Metric | Information |
|---|---|
| Grammy Award Nominations | 6 times (2022-2025) |
| Songs in Billboard Hot 100 | 54 songs |
| YouTube Channel Subscribers | 74 million+ |
| Instagram Followers | 80.3 million |
| Monthly Spotify Listeners | 23,903,891 |
| Music Style | Songs about growing up, finding yourself, and fixing the world |
BTS proved that a Korean group can go global without losing its roots. They turn everyday pressures, identity, confidence, and growing up into songs that hit hard on a massive scale.
Their real advantage is creative control: Suga and J-Hope shape the sound, RM speaks openly about mental health and social issues, and Jungkook delivers clear, powerful vocals.
Each member brings a distinct skill, and those pieces click together, creating a group that stays interesting, influential, and easy to analyze long-term.
2. BLACKPINK
| Metric | Information |
|---|---|
| MTV VMA Awards | 8 wins total (2022-2025) |
| Spotify Followers | 56 million (most followers of any girl group) |
| YouTube Music Views | 83 billion+ views |
| Instagram Followers | 96.8 million |
| Monthly Spotify Listeners | 26,129,820 |
| Music Style | Cool girl attitude mixed with hip-hop beats and sharp dancing |
BLACKPINK reshaped the global image of girl groups by selling out stadiums, performing at major festivals, and headlining Coachella 2023 as the first female Asian act on its main stage.
Their smart gaps between albums built huge anticipation, and their 2025 MTV VMA Best Group win highlights their Western success.
With Jennie’s strong rap, Jisoo’s mature vocals, Rosé’s unique tone, and Lisa’s powerful charisma, BLACKPINK blends K-pop tradition with global pop influence.
3. SEVENTEEN
| Metric | Information |
|---|---|
| Global Artist Chart Position | #3 ranking |
| Albums Sold in 2025 | 5.4 million copies |
| YouTube Subscribers | 23 million+ |
| Instagram Followers | 32.1 million |
| Monthly Spotify Listeners | 5,512,293 |
| Music Style | Polished pop songs with real instruments and theatrical shows |
SEVENTEEN stands out because all 13 members shape their music and choreography together, not just one leader. Their #3 spot on the Global Artist Chart shows how strongly fans support them through albums and tours.
They release new music often and stay candid with fans online, which builds real loyalty. Their concerts use live bands, sharp choreography, and big-stage theatrics.
And their variety show reveals their natural chemistry, showing that genuine collaboration creates long-lasting fandom.
4. Stray Kids
| Metric | Information |
|---|---|
| Billboard #1 Albums in a Row | 6 albums |
| Albums Sold in 2025 | 4.9 million copies |
| YouTube Subscribers | 15.8 million |
| Instagram Followers | 18.2 million |
| Monthly Spotify Listeners | 13,500,815 |
| Music Style | Dark storytelling mixed with confident rap and hard-hitting beats |
Stray Kids surprised the industry by earning six consecutive No. 1 Billboard albums, a milestone most groups chase for years.
Led by producer Bang Chan, they avoid predictable trends and push a sound that feels bold, detailed, and intentionally crafted. Fans stay fiercely loyal because the group releases fresh content nonstop and treats supporters with genuine respect.
Their mix of powerful vocals, sharp dancers, and skilled rappers creates a complete performance unit. Stray Kids show that newer groups can rise just as fast when the music truly delivers.
5. TWICE
| Metric | Information |
|---|---|
| Albums Sold in Total | 32 million+ copies lifetime |
| YouTube Subscribers | 27.3 million |
| Instagram Followers | 38.5 million |
| Monthly Spotify Listeners | 23,038,438 |
| Music Style | Catchy pop songs that make you want to dance and smile |
TWICE has sold more albums than any other girl group in Korea, and they continue to raise their own benchmarks year after year.
Their nine members deliver bright, memorable pop with a confidence that pulls listeners in immediately.
They stay active with constant releases and promotions, so their momentum never really dips. Their success in Japan matches their Korean impact, which is rare for any group.
And because each member excels in different areas, TWICE remains relatable, flexible, and engaging long after most groups slow down.
6. (G)I-DLE
| Metric | Information |
|---|---|
| Seoul Music Awards 2025 | Won Grand Prize (Daesang) |
| Albums Sold in 2025 | 3.2 million copies |
| YouTube Subscribers | 9.7 million |
| Instagram Followers | 13.4 million |
| Monthly Spotify Listeners | 6,655,839 |
| Music Style | Experimental sounds with real artistic control and unique ideas |
(G)I-DLE earned Korea’s top honor, the Seoul Music Awards Grand Prize, and that win says a lot. It proves Korean listeners respect their creativity, not just flashy promotions.
Soyeon writes and produces most of their music, so every track feels intentional, not factory-made. And then there’s their attitude. They don’t copy trends. They chase sounds that no other group even touches.
Some songs hit hard, others feel strange on purpose, but all of them feel like art. That unpredictability keeps fans, local and global, invested for the long run.
7. aespa
| Metric | Information |
|---|---|
| Korean Music Awards | Won Song of the Year |
| Albums Sold in 2025 | 2.8 million copies |
| YouTube Subscribers | 13.2 million |
| Instagram Followers | 25.1 million |
| Monthly Spotify Listeners | 9,917,365 |
| Music Style | Futuristic pop songs mixing real singers with digital characters |
aespa won Song of the Year at the Korean Music Awards, showing that industry professionals respect their music, not just their concept.
It is a four-member group that stands out by performing alongside digital versions of themselves, mixing technology with live performance in a way no other group attempts. They rose from rookies to major stars incredibly fast.
Most importantly, they deliver sharp vocals and choreography instead of relying only on visuals. aespa proves that creative innovation works when the music stays polished, confident, and thoughtfully executed.
8. ENHYPEN
| Metric | Information |
|---|---|
| Fanbase Growth 2024-2025 | Growing 45% bigger |
| Albums Sold in 2025 | 2.6 million copies |
| YouTube Subscribers | 12.1 million |
| Instagram Followers | 16.8 million |
| Monthly Spotify Listeners | 9,357,087 |
| Music Style | Emotional stories told through songs with worldwide appeal |
ENHYPEN rose as fourth-generation leaders after debuting through a competitive survival show backed by strong training. Their fanbase grew 45% in a single year, a clear sign that more listeners connect with them every day.
The seven members deliver clean vocals, sharp choreography, and visuals that support their overall talent. Jungwon leads with steady maturity, while Heeseung and Sunghoon anchor many tracks with reliable vocal strength.
Their recent albums earned positive critic reviews, and that consistent quality continues to expand their global reach.
9. TXT (Tomorrow X Together)
| Metric | Information |
|---|---|
| Seoul Music Awards 2025 | Won Best Song and Best Album |
| Albums Sold in 2025 | 2.4 million copies |
| YouTube Subscribers | 11.5 million |
| Instagram Followers | 14.3 million |
| Monthly Spotify Listeners | 6,543,916 |
| Music Style | Thoughtful lyrics with experimental production and deep meanings |
TXT means “Tomorrow X Together,” a name built around the idea that different individuals can still create one shared future.
This five-member group earned major 2025 awards for best song and best album, reflecting strong recognition from the Korean music industry. Unlike typical cute boy groups, TXT tackles real emotions and difficult questions that make listeners pause.
Soobin is the leader of TXT who guides decisions with calm maturity, and their albums unfold like complete stories. TXT connects deeply with listeners who want sincere, thoughtful artistry over passing trends.
10. IVE
| Metric | Information |
|---|---|
| Group Started | 2021 (newer group) |
| Albums Sold in 2025 | 1.9 million copies |
| YouTube Subscribers | 8.3 million |
| Instagram Followers | 11.7 million |
| Monthly Spotify Listeners | 5,763,384 |
| Music Style | Confident pop with simple sounds and young energy |
IVE debuted in 2021 during the pandemic and kept releasing new music instead of waiting years between albums.
Led by Wonyoung’s Charismatic presence, the group followed a careful development strategy that emphasized quality over instant fame, building real fan support and steady growth.
Their recent songs feature stronger vocals and more inventive arrangements than earlier releases. By staying authentic online and focusing on artistry, IVE is steadily gaining momentum and could become one of the top five girl groups in the near future.
How We Picked The Best K-pop Groups 2026?
Picking the “best” K-pop group isn’t about a single number. We considered multiple factors to make the rankings fair and accurate.
We looked at Spotify followers, monthly listeners, album sales, and Billboard chart positions. Awards from the MTV VMAs, Seoul Music Awards, and Korean Music Awards counted too. Tour revenue and concert attendance showed global reach.
Social media engagement on Instagram and YouTube measured fan dedication. Combining all seven metrics gave a balanced view of real success, rather than just personal favorites or popularity alone.
K-pop Group Awards
Major award shows recognized K-pop groups for music, album sales, and fan engagement.
BLACKPINK won Best Group and Song of the Year at the MTV VMAs, (G)I-DLE earned the Seoul Music Awards Grand Prize, and aespa took Song of the Year at the Korean Music Awards. BTS received Album of the Year.
Here is the table of major 2025 K-pop group awards, including event, date, category, and winners.
| Award Show | When | Prize Category | Which Group Won |
|---|---|---|---|
| MTV VMAs | September 2025 | Best Group | BLACKPINK |
| MTV VMAs | September 2025 | Song of the Year | Rosé (BLACKPINK) |
| Seoul Music Awards | June 2025 | Grand Prize | (G)I-DLE |
| Seoul Music Awards | June 2025 | World’s Best Artist | Rosé, aespa |
| Korean Music Awards | February 2025 | Song of the Year | aespa |
| Korean Music Awards | February 2025 | Album of the Year | BTS |
| MAMA Awards | November 2025 | Various | Still being announced |
These awards reflect respect from industry experts and genuine fans, highlighting the group’s artistry, global influence, and consistent impact rather than results driven by marketing or corporate promotion.
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Conclusion: BTS Is The Best K-pop Group In 2026
BTS stays number one because more people listen to them on Spotify than any other K-pop group, and they stay important in world culture. With 81 million followers and 24 million monthly listeners, keeping them globally relevant.
But “best” can mean different things. BLACKPINK wins major American awards, SEVENTEEN creates music collaboratively, Stray Kids breaks charts regularly, and newer groups are rising quickly.
K-pop thrives when multiple groups succeed, letting new fans discover a variety of music. Watch closely in 2026, upcoming albums and award shows will shift which groups lead the industry.
FAQs
BLACKPINK excels in Western awards and international recognition, while BTS leads in global listenership and influence. The “better” group depends on whether awards or audience size matters more.
Top idols often include Jungkook (BTS), Jisoo (BLACKPINK), Soyeon (G)I-DLE, Soobin (TXT), and Jihyo (TWICE). Rankings shift with new releases and fan engagement.
BLACKPINK ranks highest as the best kpop girl group with record-breaking Spotify followers and MTV wins. TWICE follows closely due to massive album sales and loyal fan support.
The Big 4 are SM Entertainment, YG Entertainment, JYP Entertainment, and Big Hit Entertainment, which manage and train most globally famous K-pop groups.
BTS members, particularly Jungkook and RM, are most loved, with BLACKPINK and SEVENTEEN’s Jeonghan also highly regarded for authenticity and fan connection.
Jang Hye-jin won season 1 of “K-pop Star” in 2011, though several contestants later achieved bigger careers than the official winner.
