These 3rd-gen K-pop Groups Are Scorching Hot Right Now! Here's Why They're Not Slowing Down Any Time Soon!
- Jon Lui
- 6 hours ago
- 2 min read
Creating a "generation battle" with 4th- and 5th-generation K-pop groups, we break down why these iconic 3rd-generation K-pop groups still hold massive global influence and why the world is still talking about them!
Major Groups Are Reuniting After Military Service
Legendary K-pop boy groups like BTS, EXO, and Monsta X have members finishing their mandatory military service and they're returning to the stage. All BTS and EXO members have completed their service, while Monsta X's maknae, I.M, started his enlistment on February 9, 2026.
These massive reunions are pulling fans back into their fandoms and are dominating social media and news headlines.
Nostalgia Is Driving Fan Interests
Many K-pop fans started listening to K-pop during the 2015 to 2019 global boom. Popular groups during this time included BTS, BLACKPINK, TWICE, Red Velvet, and SEVENTEEN. Many fans have grown up, and through anniversaries and reunions with the groups, a "sense of nostalgia" has been a real driver of their popularity.
3rd Gen Built the Global K-pop Boom
Needless to say, it was these 3rd-generation K-pop groups that pushed K-pop into mainstream and global markets. Because all of these groups created global fanbases, their comebacks were not seen as "normal", but more as "major industry events". Examples of this would be BTS topping music charts, BLACKPINK becoming global pop icons, and EXO dominating album sales, with their 2026 album, REVERXE, becoming their 8th consecutive million-seller!
Competition With New Generations
While 4th- and 5th-generation groups dominate recent debuts and live television broadcasts, 3rd-generation groups create a "generation battle". With the 3rd-generation groups on hiatus due to their mandatory military service, the younger groups had a chance to expand globally. But the recent return of the older groups has created a competition for attention and fandom loyalty.
Final Thoughts
3rd-gen K-pop is trending again because legendary groups are returning after military service, nostalgic fans are reconnecting with the artists they grew up with, and these groups still hold massive global influence. Their comebacks also create competition with younger generations, keeping them constantly discussed in the K-pop community. The Dojeon team believes that these K-pop legends are here to stay and are not slowing down any time soon! Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!