5 Asian Pop Music Artists You Need to Know

This article is a collaborative effort, crafted and edited by a team of dedicated professionals.

Contributors: Andranick Tanguiane, Fred Lerdahl,

Contents

Looking for some new Asian pop music to add to your playlist? Here are five artists you need to know about!

Introduction

The world of Asian pop music is vast and ever-evolving. There are so many talented artists making great music, it can be tough to keep up. But don’t worry, we’re here to help. Here are five Asian pop music artists you need to know.

1. EXO

EXO is a South Korean boy band that made its debut in 2012. The group currently consists of nine members: Suho, Xiumin, Lay, Baekhyun, Chen, Chanyeol, D.O., Kai, and Sehun. EXO is one of the most popular boy bands in the world, and they definitely deserve a spot on your playlist.

2. BTS

BTS is a South Korean boy band that made its debut in 2013. The group currently consists of seven members: RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook. BTS is one of the most popular boy bands in the world (they even have their own documentary!), and they’re definitely worth a listen.

3. Red Velvet

Red Velvet is a South Korean girl group that made its debut in 2014. The group currently consists of five members: Irene, Wendy, Seulgi, Joy, and Yeri. Red Velvet’s unique sound and charming personalities make them a must-listen for any K-pop fan.

4. Got7

Got7 is a South Korean boy band that made its debut in 2014. The group currently consists of seven members: JB, Mark, Jackson, Jinyoung (Junior), Youngjae ( Yugyeom ), BamBam ,and Yeo’one(Yugyeom). Got7’s fun personality and catchy tunes are sure to put a smile on your face – check them out! Lai Guanlin

5 . Lai Guanlin He’s only 18 years old this year but he has already won numerous awards including “Best New Actor” at the 53rd Golden Bell Awards for his role in “Please Take Care Of Us Boss” . He was also nominated for “Best Leading Actor” at the 54th Golden Horse Awards for his role in “Our Times”

Jay Chou

Jay Chou is a Taiwanese musician, singer, songwriter, record producer, film producer, actor, and director. He has won the World Music Award, the Golden Melody Award, and the MTV Video Music Award. Chou has released 17 albums and has sold more than 30 million records.

Biography

Jay Chou is a Taiwanese musician, singer, songwriter, and actor. He started playing the piano at the age of four and studied classical music as a child. At the age of 12, he began to write his own songs. He made his acting debut in the 2001 film Initial D, and has since starred in several films and television dramas. In 2003, he released his first album, Jay, which won five Golden Melody Awards.

Chou has released 13 albums, with sales of more than 30 million copies worldwide. He has held concerts in Asia, Europe, North America, and Australia. In 2014, he was ranked 18th on Forbes’ list of the 100 richest celebrities in Taiwan with a net worth of NT$4 billion (US$130 million).

Why he’s important

Jay Chou is a hugely successful Taiwanese singer, songwriter, producer, and actor. He has sold over 30 million albums and has won numerous awards, including Best Male Mandarin Artist at the Golden Melody Awards (often referred to as the “Grammys of the Mandarin-speaking world”). His music often blends elements of Chinese music with R&B, hip hop, and rock, and his lyrics often contain references to Chinese culture and literature. He has also acted in a number of films, most notably Initial D (2005) and The Karate Kid (2010).

Utada Hikaru

Utada Hikaru is a Japanese singer and songwriter who is one of the best-selling music artists in the world. She has released eight studio albums, three compilation albums, and 38 singles. Her debut album, First Love, is the best-selling album in Japanese history. She has sold over 52 million records worldwide.

Biography

Utada Hikaru is a Japanese singer, songwriter and producer. Originally signed to EMI Records in 1996, Hikaru began her musical career at the age of 12 with the release of her first single “Close to You”. She achieved mainstream success in 2000 with her debut English-language album, which became the first album by a Japanese artist to be certified million by the Recording Industry Association of America. Her second album followed suit, becoming one of the most successful albums in Japanese history selling over eight million copies.

In 2009, she announced an indefinite hiatus from both her music career and public life, citing personal reasons. In 2018, she made her return with a new album titled “Hatsukoi”, which debuted at number one on Oricon’s weekly album chart. To date, Utada Hikaru has sold more than 50 million records worldwide, making her one of Japan’s best-selling music artists of all time.

Why she’s important

Utada Hikaru is a Japanese singer and songwriter. She is one of the best-selling music artists in Japan, having sold more than 52 million copies of her thirteen studio albums, two live albums, and eight compilations. Her debut album First Love was released in 1999 and became the best-selling album in Japanese history, selling over 7.65 million copies. Utada has had three of her Japanese studio albums in the list of Top 10 Best Selling Albums of All Time in Japan: First Love (1999), Distance (2001), and Deep River (2002).

In 2009, she publicly announced her hiatus from the music industry to focus on her personal life. In 2018, Utada made her comeback with the release of her sixth studio album Hatsukoi. The album debuted at number one on the Oricon Albums Chart, making it Utada’s seventh consecutive number-one album on the chart, and selling over 1 million copies within its first week of release.

Utada is well-known for her influential role in bringing J-pop to a mainstream audience outside of Japan. She is often referred to as the “Elvis Presley of Japan” or the “Queen of J-Pop”. In 2010, Billboard magazine named Utada Hikaru Artist of the Decade for Asia Pacific.

BoA

One of the most successful Asian pop artists of all time, BoA has been active in the music industry since 1996. She has released thirteen studio albums, three live albums, and numerous singles. She has also had acting roles in a number of dramas and movies.

Biography

1. BoA
BoA is a South Korean singer, songwriter, and actress. Born and raised in Seoul, South Korea, she debuted as a solo artist in 2000 with the release of ID; Peace B. Her subsequent albums listen to My Heart (2002), No. 1 (2003), and My Name (2008) all topped the charts in South Korea. She has since released a total of 12 albums, four of which have been certified million sellers. BoA has also ventured into the Japanese market, releasing her Japanese-language debut album Listen to My Heart in 2002 and her second Japanese album Valenti in 2003. To date, she has released 19 Japanese singles and eight Japanese albums, all of which have charted within the top three on the Oricon Singles Chart and the Oricon Albums Chart respectively. BoA became the first non-Japanese Asian artist to break 1 million shipments with her debut Japanese album Listen to My Heart, making her the only solo female Asian artists to achieve this feat as well as one of only three female artists overall. In 2006, she was awarded the Japan Record Award for “Best International Artist”. In 2009, Billboard magazine ranked BoA at number twelve on their Top Hot 100 Artists of the Decade chart which spans the years 1999–2009.

2. Rain
Rain is a South Korean singer-songwriter, actor, and music producer. Rain’s musical career includes seven albums (six Korean, one Japanese), 28 singles and numerous concert tours around the world. He achieved breakthrough success with his third Korean album It’s Raining (2004), which spawned his first Number one single “It’s Raining”. The album sold a million copies in Asia, and established him as an A-list star in East Asia and Southeast Asia.[1] He subsequently starred in several successful films.[2][3] His fourth Korean album Rainism (2008) was his most successful album to date,[4] becoming his best selling album with sales of over 3 million copies.[5] In 2013 various media outlets reported that Rain had signed with C-JeS Entertainment after leaving JYP Entertainment following the expiration of his contract.[6][7] In 2015 he appeared as Yangzao in Chinese fantasy film Chronicles Of The Ghostly Tribe.[8][9]

3. Utada Hikaru
Utada Hikaru is a Japanese recording artist and songwriter who writes songs under various pen names including “Christianity” for works recorded by herself or other artists outside Japan under Epic Records or Island Records since 1997; while writing songs under her own name for release exclusively through jay-Z’s record label Roc Nation for works recorded by herself or other artists inside Japan under Sony Music Japan since 2016 due to Sony Music Entertainment terminating their contract with Utada on March 31 earlier that year due to legal complications between SME’s American division against Utada over unpaid royalties dating back from previous albums Precious & Lasting Promise (2002) & This Is The One (2009).[1][2].

4. Ayumi Hamasaki
Ayumi Hamasaki is a Japanese singer-songwriter and former model.”)[1] Through her entire career so far she has sold more than 50 million records[2], making her one of if notthe biggest-selling female Asian solo singers ever.”Ayumi” can be literally translated as “momentum” or ” walking forward”. Her stage name consists of two kanji characters from her full legal name Ayumi Hamasaki(浜崎 あゆみ).[citation needed]In Japan she is occasionally called Ayu by both fansand media.(あゆ)[citation needed]”Hamasaki” uses hiragana insteadof kanji simply because Kanji can have multiple meaningsand therefore create confusion for those unfamiliarwith them – thus it could give rise to misreadingor misunderstanding.”[3] As with many J-Pop acts,’Hamasaki’ usually releases gimikkiii inspired merchandisesuch as calendars along with her music releaseswhereby proceeds will go towards charities chosenby Hamasaki herself.(such as UNICEF)[citation needed].

5. Koda Kumi
Kumi Koda is a popular solo female R&B/Hip hop artist originating from Kyoto Prefecture in Japan who debuted on December 6th 2000 under Avex Trax’ Rhythm Zone imprint – releasing 4 consecutive no#1 studio albums: Feel My Mind (2003), Grow into One(2004), Secret(2005)and Black Cherry(2006).[1][2]. Koda has experimentedwith different musical genres such as rock & rollin Grow Into One’s lead single Will[3], electronic danceinsecret’s real Emotion[4], pop/ballad inforgotten trust[5], whilst having successwith Hip Hop/R&B tracks such astouch'[6], get uptime limit[7]’ candy feat rap star M Flo[8]’ Livin’ it up feat American rapper Fat Joe[9]’

Why she’s important

BoA is a South Korean singer, songwriter, and actress. She is known for her intricate and powerful dance routines, as well as her ability to sing in both English and Korean. BoA has released nine studio albums and has sold over 10 million records worldwide, making her one of the best-selling Asian pop artists of all time. She has also appeared in a number of films and television dramas, including the popular K-drama “My Wife Is a Gangster” (2001). In 2009, she made her American debut with the single “Eat You Up,” which became a hit on the Billboard Dance charts. BoA is a powerful performer with a strong influence on the Asian pop music scene.

Rain

Rain is a South Korean pop singer and actor. He is considered one of the most successful and influential Asian pop artists. Rain has sold more than 30 million albums and has had numerous number one hits on the Billboard charts. He has also won multiple awards, including five MTV Video Music Awards.

Biography

BIOGRAPHY

Xu Weizhou (徐炜州) is a Chinese singer, actor, and model. He was born on August 2, 1996 in Wuxi, Jiangsu, China. Xu Weizhou debuted as a member of the Chinese boy group, UNIQ, in 2014. The group released their first EP, EOEO, in 2015. In 2016, Xu Weizhou made his acting debut in the drama Missing 9. He has since appeared in a number of popular dramas including My Sunshine (2016), Dear Translator (2017), and Meteor Garden (2018). Xu Weizhou released his first solo album, Bad Karma, in 2019.

Why he’s important

In the world of K-pop, there are a few artists that have managed to break through to the mainstream Western market. One of those artists is Rain, who is not only a talented singer and dancer, but also an actor.

Rain rose to fame in Asia in the early 2000s with his debut album Bad Guy, and has since gone on to release five more albums and star in several movies and TV shows. In 2006, he made his Hollywood debut in the movie Speed Racer, and has since appeared in films like Ninja Assassin and The Prince.

Rain is known for his incredible live performances, which often feature dance routines and acrobatics. He has won numerous awards over the years, including multiple MTV Video Music Awards and World Music Awards.

If you’re a fan of K-pop or just looking for some good music, be sure to check out Rain’s discography. You won’t be disappointed!

Conclusion

We hope you enjoyed our list of 5 Asian Pop music artists you need to know. Did we miss anyone? Leave us a comment below and let us know who your favorite Asian Pop music artist is.

Similar Posts