There is no wonder that SNS, especially YouTube, the biggest video platform which was found in 2005, has a huge role in spreading K-Pop internationally. However, about 10 years ago, before it became the biggest platform, YouTube was just one of many random video platforms. So, some of K-Pop entertainment companies didn't even have an official account back then and fans used to upload MV's (although they were all deleted later). This is also the reason why those MVs have lower views since MVs gets the most views in the first 24 hours.

Although they had many successful songs in Korea before, these songs brought in their great international popularity. Here are 5 International hit Kpop songs that were uploaded on Youtube later than official release date but still made it big. Also, these songs and MVs came before streaming culture was a thing.

1. TVXQ's 'Mirotic' (2008) 61.206.597 views

Release Date: September 2008
YT Upload Date: November 2009

TVXQ earned huge success across Asia with Rising Sun and earned global recognition after the song was featured in Fast & Furious 4, during Paul Walker's opening scene but Mirotic has become one of the most iconic Kpop songs and MVs and is considered as the song that started the Hallyu wave. It was downloaded over 5 million times and became one of the best selling Asian digital songs. It's also TVXQ's second to last Korean song as 5 members.

The MV was uploaded to YouTube after 1 year and 2 months of its official release date.

2. SS501's 'Ur Man' (2008)   16.689.875 view

Release Date: November 2008
YT Upload Date: March 2011

You might think SS501 earned their popularity through Boys Over Flowers' OST 'Because of Stupid' but 'Ur Man' was the song that helped them become one of the most popular groups in Asia. The song wasn't only an international hit but also a huge national hit. It was so popular that it was banned for college entrance exam test takers.

The MV was uploaded to YouTube after 2 years and 4 months of its official release date.

3. Rain's 'Rainism' (2008)   2.166.366 views

Release Date: November 2008
YT Upload Date: October 2009

Although Rain had significant popularity through his dramas since 2003, 'Rainism' doubled his popularity all over the world. It was released in various formats, including English and became one of the most iconic K-pop songs and movies. The song was downloaded over 1 million times across the Asia.

The MV was uploaded to YouTube after 10 months of its official release date. Note that Rainism still doesn't have an official MV on YouTube. There are about 5 MVs of Rainism, which were all uploaded by fans. 

4. Girls' Generation's 'Gee' (2009)   237.083.465 views

Release: January 2009
YT Upload Date: June 2009

Gee is another song which has become not only an international hit, but also a national hit and has been recognized as a K-pop standard. It was named as the 'Song of the decade' by Melon in 2010. Billboard magazine labeled 'Gee' arguably the most iconic K-pop song in the past ten years. Although being uploaded after 5 months of its official release date, Gee was the most watched K-Pop video on YouTube until it was dethroned by PSY's Gangnam Style in 2012 and streaming culture started.

The MV was uploaded on YouTube after 5 months of its official release date.

5. Super Junior's 'Sorry Sorry' (2009)  110.304.971 views

Release Date: March 2009
YT Upload Date: June 2009

Sorry Sorry is one of the biggest hits that helped K-Pop's globalization. It's catchy lyrics and addictive dance moves captured a lot of people's attention, topped the charts both in Korea and Asia. This is how MTV described Super Junior's Sorry Sorry: "One of the first male acts to set off a dance craze on social media was veteran K-pop group Super Junior with their 2009 mega-hit 'Sorry, Sorry.' Sorry, Sorry not only catapulted Super Junior to Hallyu stardom, but it revolutionized K-pop itself."

The MV was uploaded on YouTube after 3 months of its official release date.