The 5 Most Popular K-Pop Groups In Japan, Chosen By Gen Z Netizens

ZSOUKEN reached out to Nom de plume‘s audience of 120,000 Gen Z Japanese readers to monitor popular trends for the first half of 2023. They voted on the ten most popular idol groups for their demographic, revealing the five K-Pop groups that were superstars among netizens from the ages of eleven to twenty-six.

5. BTS — 8.9%

As one of the most well-known boy groups, BTS remains popular among the younger generation—even as they reach their ten-year anniversary. Japan’s Gen Z isn’t an exception.

BTS

4. LE SSERAFIM — 13.9%

With popular Japanese idol Sakura, who gained fame from HKT48 and IZ*ONE, being part of LE SSERAFIM, it’s only natural the group would be on the radar of Japan’s Gen Z. They couldn’t resist the group’s edgy sound and cool concepts.

LE SSERAFIM | @le_sserafim_jp/Twitter

3. NewJeans — 17.2%

Since HYBE‘s latest girl group NewJeans has won over everyone with their refreshing sound and catchy songs, Japan’s Gen Z aren’t immune to the group’s charms. With members on the younger end of the spectrum, Gen Z listeners can especially relate to them and their youthful color.

NewJeans | @NewJeans_jp/Twitter

2. IVE — 18.7%

Starship Entertainment‘s girl group IVE takes the second spot, continuing to win over everyone with their unique sound and fun concepts. Like LE SSERAFIM, the group also has members of IZ*ONE, like the beloved Jang Wonyoung.

IVE | @IVEstarship_JP/Twitter

1. TWICE — 19.5%

Taking the top spot is JYP Entertainment‘s girl group TWICE. They’ve consistently made waves with their steady stream of Korean and Japanese releases. Non de plume’s Ichika Fukuda pointed out the group’s “dance skills and visuals that evolve every year“; a sixteen-year-old high school student from Shiga Prefecture said TWICE was the best Korean idol group.

TWICE taking a photo with fans at their Japan concert. | @JYPETWICE_JAPAN/Twitter

As for the most popular Japanese groups among Gen Z girls, Naniwa Danshi took the top spot (20.7%), followed by Snow Man (18.9%), King & Prince (17.9%), Nogizaka46 (12.6%), and SixTONES (10.5%).

ZSOUKEN’s voting results of popular idol groups among Japan’s Gen Z.