K-Pop The Best K-Pop Solo Artists  

Ranker Music
39.4k votes 3.9k voters 23.1k views 92 items

List Rules Only solo artists - no groups.

Making some of the best K-pop songs of 2018, the most popular K-pop solo artists ranked here are a variety of Korean singers, rappers, and idols who left their groups. Whether they were discovered on a reality survival show or decided to go solo after their group disbanded, the best K-pop soloists have found success in South Korean music. Who are the top K-pop artists right now?

YG Entertainment's Big Bang is one of the biggest K-pop groups ever, so it's not surprising that all five members also have successful solo careers on the side. Some female artists, like IU, BoA, and Ailee, have always been solo, while others, like Taeyeon, Sunmi, and Hyolyn, went solo after their groups broke up. Other good Kpop soloists include Jessica Jung, Dean, Heize, HyunA, Suzy, Jessi, and Jay Park.

Vote up the best solo artists in K-pop, and feel free to add any underrated artists missing from the list.  

1
1,160 534
IU is listed (or ranked) 1 on the list The Best K-Pop Solo Artists
IU LOEN Entertainment Lee Ji-eun, better known by her stage name IU, is a South Korean singer-songwriter and actress. Her stage name is derived from the phrase "I and You", symbolizing that people can ...more

2
438 146
Suga is listed (or ranked) 2 on the list The Best K-Pop Solo Artists
Kaelyn Hart added Agust D Min Yoon-gi (born March 9, 1993), better known by his stage names Suga and Agust D, is a South Korean rapper, songwriter and record producer. Managed under Big Hit Entertainment, he debuted as a ...more

3
1,118 535
G-Dragon is listed (or ranked) 3 on the list The Best K-Pop Solo Artists
G-Dragon YG Entertainment Kwon Ji Yong, better known by his stage name G-Dragon, is a South Korean rapper, singer-songwriter and record producer. After 6 years as a trainee under the record label YG Entertainment, ...more

4
616 276
Jungkook is listed (or ranked) 4 on the list The Best K-Pop Solo Artists
Βιργινία Νκλ. added Jungkook Jungkook is a member of the musical group BTS.

5
972 494
Kim Jonghyun is listed (or ranked) 5 on the list The Best K-Pop Solo Artists
Kim Jong-Hyun EMI Music Japan, SM Entertainment Kim Jong-hyun is a South Korean singer and songwriter. He is main vocalist member of both the South Korean boy group Shinee and the ballad group S.M. The Ballad. Jonghyun released his first EP ...more

6
938 483
J-Hope is listed (or ranked) 6 on the list The Best K-Pop Solo Artists
1521286464229 added J-Hope Jung Hoseok, better known by his stage name, J-hope, is a South Korean rapper, singer, dancer, music composer, and songwriter. He is a member of the South Korean hip-hop boy band, Bangtan Boys, ...more

7
991 529
Kim Ryeowook is listed (or ranked) 7 on the list The Best K-Pop Solo Artists
Kim Ryeowook SM Entertainment Kim Ryeowook is a South Korean singer and actor. He is a member of the South Korean boy band Super Junior and its subgroups, Super Junior-M and Super Junior-K.R.Y.. Along with four other Super ...more

8
402 168
Rap Monster is listed (or ranked) 8 on the list The Best K-Pop Solo Artists
Kaelyn Hart added RM Rap Monster is a member of the musical group BTS.

9
676 351
Taeyang is listed (or ranked) 9 on the list The Best K-Pop Solo Artists
Taeyang YG Entertainment Dong Young-bae, better known by his stage name Taeyang or Sol is a South Korean singer-songwriter. After appearing in Jinusean's music video "A-yo", Taeyang began training under YG ...more

10
674 352
Hyuna is listed (or ranked) 10 on the list The Best K-Pop Solo Artists
HyunA JYP Entertainment, Cube Entertainment Kim Hyuna, better known by the mononym Hyuna, stylized as HyunA, is a South Korean recording artist, dancer, songwriter and model. She is the main rapper of the Korean girl group 4Minute, and ...more

11
759 412
Sunmi is listed (or ranked) 11 on the list The Best K-Pop Solo Artists
Sunmi JYP Entertainment Lee Sunmi, commonly known by her stage name as Sunmi or Mimi, is a South Korean idol singer. She is a former member of the South Korean girl group Wonder Girls, which debuted under JYP ...more

12
703 385
Lee Taemin is listed (or ranked) 12 on the list The Best K-Pop Solo Artists
Lee Taemin EMI Music Japan, SM Entertainment Lee Tae-min is a South Korean idol dancer, singer, actor and promotional model. He is a member of South Korean boy group Shinee under the label of SM Entertainment, as the maknae, main dancer, ...more

The Best TS Entertainment Groups and Solo Artists

13
722 410
Kim Tae-yeon is listed (or ranked) 13 on the list The Best K-Pop Solo Artists
Kim Tae-Yeon S.M. Entertainment Kim Tae-yeon is a South Korean singer and actress. She is a member of the South Korean girl group Girls' Generation, its subgroup TTS, as well as the ballad group S.M. The Ballad. Tae-yeon has ...more

14
654 379
CL is listed (or ranked) 14 on the list The Best K-Pop Solo Artists
CL YG Entertainment Lee Chae-rin (born February 26, 1991), better known by her stage name CL, is a South Korean singer-songwriter and rapper. Born in Seoul, South Korea, she spent much of her early life in Japan ...more

15
586 332
Byun Baek-hyun is listed (or ranked) 15 on the list The Best K-Pop Solo Artists
1521286464229 added Byun Baek-Hyun Byun Baek-hyun is a member of the musical group, Exo-K.

16
486 298
Ailee is listed (or ranked) 16 on the list The Best K-Pop Solo Artists
Ailee YMC Entertainment Amy Lee, better known by her stage name Ailee, is an American singer signed to South Korean record label YMC Entertainment. She released her first single, "Heaven", in February 2012.

17
438 265
Jay Park is listed (or ranked) 17 on the list The Best K-Pop Solo Artists
Jay Park JYP Entertainment, SidusHQ Jay Park is an American singer, dancer, rapper, music producer, songwriter, model, choreographer, entrepreneur, and actor. He is a member of the Seattle-based b-boy crew, Art of Movement. As ...more

The Best Rock Vocalists

18
272 143
Rain is listed (or ranked) 18 on the list The Best K-Pop Solo Artists
Rain JYP Entertainment, Cube Entertainment Jung Ji-Hoon, better known by his stage name Rain, is a South Korean singer-songwriter, actor, and music producer. Rain's musical career includes seven albums, 28 singles and numerous concert ...more

19
383 257
SuHo is listed (or ranked) 19 on the list The Best K-Pop Solo Artists
1521286464229 added Suho SM Entertainment Kim Jun-myun is a member of the musical group, Exo-K.

20
390 263
Zico is listed (or ranked) 20 on the list The Best K-Pop Solo Artists
Zico Woo Ji-ho (born September 14, 1992), widely known by his stage name, Zico, is a South Korean rapper, record producer, singer-songwriter and leader of the boy group Block B, signed under the ...more

21
431 300
Psy is listed (or ranked) 21 on the list The Best K-Pop Solo Artists
Psy YG Entertainment, Avex Trax, Schoolboy Records Park Jae-sang, hangul: 박재상, hanja: 朴載相, better known by his stage name Psy, stylized PSY, is a South Korean singer-songwriter, record producer and rapper. Psy is known domestically for his ...more

22
388 266
Kim Min-seok is listed (or ranked) 22 on the list The Best K-Pop Solo Artists
Kim Min-Seok Kim Min-seok is a member of the musical group, Exo-M.

The Best Fantagio Groups and Solo Artists

23
418 294
Kim Heechul is listed (or ranked) 23 on the list The Best K-Pop Solo Artists
Kim Heechul SM Entertainment Hee-chul Kim is an actor.

24
395 278
Henry Lau is listed (or ranked) 24 on the list The Best K-Pop Solo Artists
Henry Lau Henry Lau, known as Henry, is a Canadian singer-songwriter, producer, and actor working in Korean pop music. He is best known for being a member of Super Junior-M and the break-out star in the ...more

25
344 238
Amber Liu is listed (or ranked) 25 on the list The Best K-Pop Solo Artists
Amber Liu Amber Josephine Liu, also known as Amber, is an American rapper and singer currently active in South Korea. She is a member of the South Korean girl group f(x). She debuted as a solo artist in ...more

26
133 53
Jimin is listed (or ranked) 26 on the list The Best K-Pop Solo Artists
BrookeSanderson added Jimin Jimin is a member of musical group BTS.

27
113 41
Jin is listed (or ranked) 27 on the list The Best K-Pop Solo Artists
BrookeSanderson added Jin Jin is a member of the musical group BTS.

The Top 500 Musical Groups/Artists of All Time

28
334 242
Kim Chung-ha is listed (or ranked) 28 on the list The Best K-Pop Solo Artists
Kim Chung-ha Kim Chung-ha (born Kim Chan-mi on February 9, 1996), better known by the mononym Chungha, is a South Korean singer. She is best known for finishing fourth in Mnet's girl group survival show ...more

29
283 196
Jessi is listed (or ranked) 29 on the list The Best K-Pop Solo Artists
Jessi YMC Entertainment Jessica Hyun-ju Ho (born December 17, 1988), better known by her stage name Jessi, is a Korean-American rapper, singer, and songwriter based in South Korea. She was born in New York, raised in ...more

30
296 209
Dean is listed (or ranked) 30 on the list The Best K-Pop Solo Artists
Dean Joombas Co Ltd. Kwon Hyuk (born November 10, 1992), better known by his stage name Dean, is a South Korean alternative R&B singer-songwriter, rapper and record producer. He has released one solo EP, 130 ...more

31
312 224
Bobby is listed (or ranked) 31 on the list The Best K-Pop Solo Artists
Bobby YG Entertainment Kim Ji-won (born December 21, 1995), better known by his stage name Bobby, is a Korean-American rapper and singer. He is known as a member of the South Korean boy group iKON, signed under YG ...more

32
303 216
BoA is listed (or ranked) 32 on the list The Best K-Pop Solo Artists
BoA S.M. Entertainment Kwon Boa, commonly stylized and known by her stage name BoA, which is a backronym for Beat of Angel, is a South Korean singer and actress active in South Korea, Japan, and the United States. She ...more

The Best S.M. Entertainment Groups and Solo Artists

33
311 228
Cho Kyuhyun is listed (or ranked) 33 on the list The Best K-Pop Solo Artists
Cho Kyuhyun SM Entertainment Cho Kyu-hyun is a South Korean singer and actor. He is a member of the South Korean boy band Super Junior, its sub-groups, Super Junior-M and Super Junior-K.R.Y., and a former member of the ...more

34
155 84
Eric Nam is listed (or ranked) 34 on the list The Best K-Pop Solo Artists
1524654693608 added Eric Nam Nam Yoon-do, better known by his birth name Eric Nam, is an American singer and television host currently based in South Korea. He first appeared on Birth of a Great Star 2 in 2012 after being ...more

35
284 204
Bae Suzy is listed (or ranked) 35 on the list The Best K-Pop Solo Artists
Bae Suzy JYP Entertainment Bae Su-ji, commonly known by her stage name Suzy, is a South Korean singer and actress. She is best known for her roles as Go Hye-mi in the KBS2 TV series' Dream High, Jang Ma-ri in Big, young ...more

36
242 166
Choi Minho is listed (or ranked) 36 on the list The Best K-Pop Solo Artists
Choi Minho EMI Music Japan, SM Entertainment Choi Min-ho is a South Korean singer, rapper, actor, presenter, and model. He is a member of the South Korean boy group Shinee.

37
319 242
Yesung is listed (or ranked) 37 on the list The Best K-Pop Solo Artists
Yesung SM Entertainment Kim Jong-woon (born August 24, 1984), better known by his stage name Yesung, is a South Korean singer and actor. He debuted in 2005 as a member of Super Junior and its subgroups Super ...more

8 Struggles Every Wine Lover Has Experienced

38
221 150
Lee Hi is listed (or ranked) 38 on the list The Best K-Pop Solo Artists
Lee Hi YG Entertainment Lee Ha-yi, also known by her stage name Lee Hi, is a South Korean singer under YG Entertainment. She is known as the runner-up of SBS's K-pop Star Season 1. Her debut single "1.2.3.4", ...more

39
218 159
B.I is listed (or ranked) 39 on the list The Best K-Pop Solo Artists
B.I YG Entertainment Kim Han-bin (born October 22, 1996), better known by his stage name B.I, is a South Korean rapper, songwriter, and record producer. He is the leader of the South Korean boy group iKON, signed ...more

40
225 169
Tiffany is listed (or ranked) 40 on the list The Best K-Pop Solo Artists
Tiffany Universal Music Group, Interscope Records, SM Entertainment Stephanie Young Hwang, better known by the stage name Tiffany or by her Korean name Hwang Mi-young, is an American singer-songwriter and actress. She is a member of both the South Korean girl ...more

41
208 154
Hyolyn is listed (or ranked) 41 on the list The Best K-Pop Solo Artists
Hyolyn Kim Hyo-jung, better known by her stage name Hyolyn is a South Korean idol singer and actress. She is best known as a member of South Korean girl group Sistar and their sub-unit Sistar19.

42
203 150
Onew is listed (or ranked) 42 on the list The Best K-Pop Solo Artists
Onew EMI Music Japan, SM Entertainment Lee Jin-ki, better known by his stage name Onew, is a South Korean singer, actor, and presenter. He is the leader of the South Korean boy group Shinee.

The Best FNC Entertainment Groups and Solo Artists

43
210 161
Key is listed (or ranked) 43 on the list The Best K-Pop Solo Artists
Key EMI Music Japan, SM Entertainment Kim Ki-bum, better known by his stage name Key, is a South Korean singer and actor. He is a member of both the South Korean boy group Shinee and the South Korean duo Toheart.

44
181 133
Daesung is listed (or ranked) 44 on the list The Best K-Pop Solo Artists
Daesung YG Entertainment, Avex Group Kang Daesung (Hangul: 강대성; born April 26, 1989) is a member of K-Pop group Big Bang. Daesung was born in Itaewon, South Korea and attended high school (KyeongIn High School) but he dropped out ...more

45
180 139
Heize is listed (or ranked) 45 on the list The Best K-Pop Solo Artists
Heize CJ E&M Music Jang Da-hye (born August 9, 1991), better known by her stage name Heize, is a South Korean singer-songwriter and rapper signed to CJ E&M. After making her debut in 2014 with the EP Heize, ...more

46
169 136
Zion.T is listed (or ranked) 46 on the list The Best K-Pop Solo Artists
Zion.T

47
174 150
Sandara Park is listed (or ranked) 47 on the list The Best K-Pop Solo Artists
Sandara Park YG Entertainment, Star Records Sandara Park, better known as Dara, is a South Korean idol singer, actress, and model. She is best known as being a member and the director of communications of the South Korean girl group 2NE1. ...more

48
184 168
Krystal is listed (or ranked) 48 on the list The Best K-Pop Solo Artists
Krystal SM Entertainment Chrystal Soo Jung, better known as Krystal Jung, Krystal, or by her Korean name Jung Soo Jung, is an American singer and actress currently based in South Korea. Discovered by S.M. Entertainment ...more

49
188 173
Jessica Jung is listed (or ranked) 49 on the list The Best K-Pop Solo Artists
Jessica Jung Coridel Entertainment Jessica Sooyoun Jung is an American singer, actress, and businesswoman currently based in South Korea. She is a former member of the South Korean girl group Girls' Generation. In 2014, she ...more

50
202 192
Im Yoona is listed (or ranked) 50 on the list The Best K-Pop Solo Artists
Im Yoona SM Entertainment Im Yoona is a South Korean singer and actress. She is a member of the South Korean girl group Girls' Generation and has participated in various television dramas such as You Are My Destiny, Love ...more