The K-pop scene in 2023 was a whirlwind of highs and lows, marked by monumental achievements and bittersweet transitions that left fans worldwide both elated and emotional. From awards and record-breaking tours to mandatory military enlistments, here's a look back at the year that was in the dynamic world of K-pop.

BTS Members Enlist for Mandatory Military Service

The year began with a significant turning point for BTS as all seven members embarked on their mandatory military service in South Korea. Jin, J-Hope, Suga, RM, V, Jimin, and Jungkook commenced their individual enlistments, creating an emotional wave among their devoted fanbase. With hopes of reuniting in 2025, their service represents a pivotal phase for both the band and their supporters.

Jin was the first of the BTS members to start his military service in December 2022, shortly after his 30th birthday. J-Hope followed suit in April, while Suga started his conscription as a social service agent on September 22. RM (real name Kim Namjoon) and V (Kim Taehyung) officially started their mandatory military service on&nbsp;December 11. Jimin and Jungkook followed suit a day later (December 12).

Honours and Triumphs at Awards Ceremonies

Amidst BTS's transitions, individual members earned accolades. Jimin was crowned the King of K-pop at the prestigious 2023 Melon Music Awards, while Jungkook and V claimed the Giant Pop Star and Idol Of The Year titles, respectively. Additionally, at the 2023 Mnet Asian Music Awards (MAMA), BTS secured the coveted Worldwide Icon of the Year award for the sixth consecutive year, reinforcing their global dominance.

Milestones for BLACKPINK and SEVENTEEN

BLACKPINK made history by headlining Coachella, a first for a Korean act and a girl group. Meanwhile, SEVENTEEN shattered records with their 11th mini album, "SEVENTEENTH HEAVEN," achieving a groundbreaking 5,091,887 first-week sales on Hanteo, surpassing their own record.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/sandeep-reddy-vanga-says-animal-ott-version-will-have-more-shots-will-be-using-those-5-6-minutes-extra-673113">Sandeep Reddy Vanga says Animal OTT version will have more scenes, ‘Will be using those 5-6 minutes extra’</a>

K-pop groups that debuted in 2023

Several new K-pop groups released their first projects in 2023. Some of them are XODIAC, WEUS, Two Sister, YOUNG POSSE, QWER, PLAVE, PRIMROSE, T5, ONE PACT, and LIMELIGHT.

K-pop songs that took 2023 by storm

Fifty Fifty - "Cupid", Jimin - "Like Crazy", Jisoo - "Flower", IVE - "I Am", NCT DOJAEJUNG - "Perfume", Seventeen - "Super (손오공)", Le Sserafim - "Unforgiven", ATEEZ - "Bouncy (K-Hot Chilli Peppers)", NewJeans - "Super Shy".

As the South Korean pop industry continues to evolve and captivate global audiences, 2023's whirlwind of achievements and transitions proves its unwavering influence on the international stage. With both established icons and emerging talents making waves, K-pop's journey into 2024 promises more excitement and creativity on the horizon.

The K-pop scene in 2023 was a whirlwind of highs and lows, marked by monumental achievements and bittersweet transitions that left fans worldwide both elated and emotional.

The K-pop scene in 2023 was a whirlwind of highs and lows, marked by monumental achievements and bittersweet transitions that left fans worldwide both elated and emotional. From awards and record-breaking tours to mandatory military enlistments, here's a look back at the year that was in the dynamic world of K-pop. BTS Members Enlist for Mandatory Military Service The year began with a significant turning point for BTS as all seven members embarked on their mandatory military service in South Korea. Jin, J-Hope, Suga, RM, V, Jimin, and Jungkook commenced their individual enlistments, creating an emotional wave among their devoted fanbase. With hopes of reuniting in 2025, their service represents a pivotal phase for both the band and their supporters. Jin was the first of the BTS members to start his military service in December 2022, shortly after his 30th birthday. J-Hope followed suit in April, while Suga started his conscription as a social service agent on September 22. RM (real name Kim Namjoon) and V (Kim Taehyung) officially started their mandatory military service on December 11. Jimin and Jungkook followed suit a day later (December 12). Honours and Triumphs at Awards Ceremonies Amidst BTS's transitions, individual members earned accolades. Jimin was crowned the King of K-pop at the prestigious 2023 Melon Music Awards, while Jungkook and V claimed the Giant Pop Star and Idol Of The Year titles, respectively. Additionally, at the 2023 Mnet Asian Music Awards (MAMA), BTS secured the coveted Worldwide Icon of the Year award for the sixth consecutive year, reinforcing their global dominance. Milestones for BLACKPINK and SEVENTEEN BLACKPINK made history by headlining Coachella, a first for a Korean act and a girl group. Meanwhile, SEVENTEEN shattered records with their 11th mini album, "SEVENTEENTH HEAVEN," achieving a groundbreaking 5,091,887 first-week sales on Hanteo, surpassing their own record. Also read: Sandeep Reddy Vanga says Animal OTT version will have more scenes, ‘Will be using those 5-6 minutes extra’ K-pop groups that debuted in 2023 Several new K-pop groups released their first projects in 2023. Some of them are XODIAC, WEUS, Two Sister, YOUNG POSSE, QWER, PLAVE, PRIMROSE, T5, ONE PACT, and LIMELIGHT. K-pop songs that took 2023 by storm Fifty Fifty - "Cupid", Jimin - "Like Crazy", Jisoo - "Flower", IVE - "I Am", NCT DOJAEJUNG - "Perfume", Seventeen - "Super (손오공)", Le Sserafim - "Unforgiven", ATEEZ - "Bouncy (K-Hot Chilli Peppers)", NewJeans - "Super Shy". As the South Korean pop industry continues to evolve and captivate global audiences, 2023's whirlwind of achievements and transitions proves its unwavering influence on the international stage. With both established icons and emerging talents making waves, K-pop's journey into 2024 promises more excitement and creativity on the horizon.

Yearender 2023! A look at how the year was for K-pop industry

It is the kind of K-drama that rivets millions of viewers — bitter boardroom battles, expensive lawyers, hostile takeover claims and high-stakes shareholder meetings.

Except this is playing out in real life as the godfather of K-pop fights his nephew for control of the music company he founded.

It features HYBE, the agency behind the smash-hit group BTS, and tech giant Kakao in an A-list battle that could also determine the billion-dollar industry's future.

And it was triggered largely by one man: South Korean activist investor Lee Chang-hwan.

Lee's fund Align Partners bought a one per cent stake early last year in SM Entertainment, one of South Korea's leading music companies that helped bring K-pop to the world, managing early hit groups such as boy bands Super Junior and SHINee.

He used that stake to argue for corporate reform, saying that SM founder Lee Soo-man — the so-called Godfather of K-pop — was, in effect, syphoning off millions of dollars every year in bogus consulting fees.

ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/britains-k-pop-band-kaachi-splits-up-two-years-after-its-debut-567053">Britain's K-pop band KAACHI splits up two years after its debut</a>

"It didn't make sense," Lee Chang-hwan told AFP in a recent interview, saying the money — six per cent of publicly listed SM Entertainment's sales every year — was paid to a private entity called Like Planning, which was entirely owned and controlled by Lee Soo-man.

The 36-year-old self-made investor, who was raised by a single mother and first shot to public attention by winning a popular South Korean TV quiz show, started asking uncomfortable questions.

Lee Soo-man's pet company had raked in "nearly 160 billion won ($120 million) over the past 20 years", he said, as SM risked major financial and reputational damage due to the behaviour of its founder.

Creating K-pop&nbsp;

Lee Soo-man not only created individual K-pop bands in the 1990s such as H.O.T. and S.E.S., whose success arguably laid the groundwork for the stratospheric rise of groups like BTS and BLACKPINK, he came up with the industry's whole modus operandi.&nbsp;

He pioneered an obsessive level of training and micro-management of "idols" — trained K-pop stars — and his idea of combining strong visual performances and aggressive overseas marketing helped make SM Entertainment an industry behemoth.

He founded the company in 1989 and took it public in 2000 — so he was predictably outraged last year when SM Entertainment's management, including his nephew, agreed with activist investor Lee Chang-hwan's assessment and moved to terminate the "unfair" deal with Like Planning.

In an apparent fit of revenge, Lee Soo-man sold the majority of his stake in SM — 14.8 per cent of the company — to one-time rival HYBE, the agency that manages BTS, for $325 million.&nbsp;

The move made HYBE the single largest shareholder in SM Entertainment, prompting outraged protests from SM's management that it was a hostile takeover that would create an HYBE monopoly and damage the K-pop industry's massive potential.

In a bid to wrest back control, SM's management brought in South Korea's Kakao, a sprawling cash-rich tech conglomerate that owns the country's most popular messaging app. Kakao is now seeking to buy a controlling share of the company to block HYBE.

WATCH | WION Fineprint: Meet the South Korean-based K-Pop band Blackswan

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/wion-fineprint-meet-the-south-korean-based-k-pop-band-blackswan-553593/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

'Valley of death'

The feud has unleashed a family succession drama, with founder Lee's nephew, Lee Sung-su, who is the company's CEO, taking to YouTube to air their dirty laundry.&nbsp;

Accusing his uncle of tax fraud using overseas companies, he demanded the elder Lee "kneel down and apologise" for his alleged crimes.

"Sir, please stop now... It is the only way to save you from the Valley of Death", he said in a video posted online.

Lee Soo-man has not responded to his nephew's allegations, and could not be reached for comment by AFP, but Yonhap reported he has said Lee Sung-su is a "good nephew" and that his "heart aches" due to the feud.

Experts say the drama is an illustration of a perennial problem in South Korea's dynastic chaebols: founding families exerting control through a complex web of crossholdings, allowing them to wield unchecked power despite not holding controlling shares.&nbsp;

The chairman of South Korean giant Samsung Electronics, who was also the heir of the founding family, was convicted and jailed in 2017 over corruption, although he was given a presidential pardon last year.

Align Partners' Lee Chang-hwan says the SM Entertainment case is similar.

"It was a bad example of a person who runs the company as if it's his private entity... Whether it was legal or not, it is hard to accept as a shareholder," he said.&nbsp;

Lee Chang-hwan also opposes HYBE's bid for control, saying their efforts to create a monopoly bode ill for the market.

"We thought there was great potential for further K-pop growth," he said, adding he first started looking at investing in the industry in early 2021.&nbsp;

"BTS was already a huge success and we witnessed the formation of a real K-pop fan base in North America and Europe," Lee Chang-hwan said. SM Entertainment was "undervalued" due to its management woes, he said, and seemed a good target.&nbsp; 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

You can&nbsp;now write for wionews.com&nbsp;and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

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It is the kind of K-drama that rivets millions of viewers — bitter boardroom battles, expensive lawyers, hostile takeover claims and high-stakes shareholder meetings.

It is the kind of K-drama that rivets millions of viewers — bitter boardroom battles, expensive lawyers, hostile takeover claims and high-stakes shareholder meetings. Except this is playing out in real life as the godfather of K-pop fights his nephew for control of the music company he founded. It features HYBE, the agency behind the smash-hit group BTS, and tech giant Kakao in an A-list battle that could also determine the billion-dollar industry's future. And it was triggered largely by one man: South Korean activist investor Lee Chang-hwan. Lee's fund Align Partners bought a one per cent stake early last year in SM Entertainment, one of South Korea's leading music companies that helped bring K-pop to the world, managing early hit groups such as boy bands Super Junior and SHINee. He used that stake to argue for corporate reform, saying that SM founder Lee Soo-man — the so-called Godfather of K-pop — was, in effect, syphoning off millions of dollars every year in bogus consulting fees. ALSO READ | Britain's K-pop band KAACHI splits up two years after its debut "It didn't make sense," Lee Chang-hwan told AFP in a recent interview, saying the money — six per cent of publicly listed SM Entertainment's sales every year — was paid to a private entity called Like Planning, which was entirely owned and controlled by Lee Soo-man. The 36-year-old self-made investor, who was raised by a single mother and first shot to public attention by winning a popular South Korean TV quiz show, started asking uncomfortable questions. Lee Soo-man's pet company had raked in "nearly 160 billion won ($120 million) over the past 20 years", he said, as SM risked major financial and reputational damage due to the behaviour of its founder. Creating K-pop Lee Soo-man not only created individual K-pop bands in the 1990s such as H.O.T. and S.E.S., whose success arguably laid the groundwork for the stratospheric rise of groups like BTS and BLACKPINK, he came up with the industry's whole modus operandi. He pioneered an obsessive level of training and micro-management of "idols" — trained K-pop stars — and his idea of combining strong visual performances and aggressive overseas marketing helped make SM Entertainment an industry behemoth. He founded the company in 1989 and took it public in 2000 — so he was predictably outraged last year when SM Entertainment's management, including his nephew, agreed with activist investor Lee Chang-hwan's assessment and moved to terminate the "unfair" deal with Like Planning. In an apparent fit of revenge, Lee Soo-man sold the majority of his stake in SM — 14.8 per cent of the company — to one-time rival HYBE, the agency that manages BTS, for $325 million. The move made HYBE the single largest shareholder in SM Entertainment, prompting outraged protests from SM's management that it was a hostile takeover that would create an HYBE monopoly and damage the K-pop industry's massive potential. In a bid to wrest back control, SM's management brought in South Korea's Kakao, a sprawling cash-rich tech conglomerate that owns the country's most popular messaging app. Kakao is now seeking to buy a controlling share of the company to block HYBE. WATCH | WION Fineprint: Meet the South Korean-based K-Pop band Blackswan 'Valley of death' The feud has unleashed a family succession drama, with founder Lee's nephew, Lee Sung-su, who is the company's CEO, taking to YouTube to air their dirty laundry. Accusing his uncle of tax fraud using overseas companies, he demanded the elder Lee "kneel down and apologise" for his alleged crimes. "Sir, please stop now... It is the only way to save you from the Valley of Death", he said in a video posted online. Lee Soo-man has not responded to his nephew's allegations, and could not be reached for comment by AFP, but Yonhap reported he has said Lee Sung-su is a "good nephew" and that his "heart aches" due to the feud. Experts say the drama is an illustration of a perennial problem in South Korea's dynastic chaebols: founding families exerting control through a complex web of crossholdings, allowing them to wield unchecked power despite not holding controlling shares. The chairman of South Korean giant Samsung Electronics, who was also the heir of the founding family, was convicted and jailed in 2017 over corruption, although he was given a presidential pardon last year. Align Partners' Lee Chang-hwan says the SM Entertainment case is similar. "It was a bad example of a person who runs the company as if it's his private entity... Whether it was legal or not, it is hard to accept as a shareholder," he said. Lee Chang-hwan also opposes HYBE's bid for control, saying their efforts to create a monopoly bode ill for the market. "We thought there was great potential for further K-pop growth," he said, adding he first started looking at investing in the industry in early 2021. "BTS was already a huge success and we witnessed the formation of a real K-pop fan base in North America and Europe," Lee Chang-hwan said. SM Entertainment was "undervalued" due to its management woes, he said, and seemed a good target. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

South Korean activist investor triggers real-life K-pop industry drama

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Yearender 2023! A look at how the year was for K-pop industry

South Korean activist investor triggers real-life K-pop industry drama