As the world’s second-largest music market, Japan has long been a hotspot for K-pop, where the genre and its artists enjoy exceptional popularity. It's a common strategy for K-pop acts to debut in Japan, with many artists releasing Japanese-language songs and albums targeting this lucrative market. For several idols and groups, the road to success initially began in Japan, laying the foundation for a substantial global fanbase before their official debut in South Korea.

Let’s delve into some of the South Korean artists and groups that debuted in Japan before officially launching their careers in Korea.

JYJ

On September 8, 2010, JYJ—featuring Jaejoong, Yoochun, and Junsu, all former members of the popular SM boy group TVXQ!—debuted in Japan with the mini album “The…”. A year later, on September 28, 2011, they made their Korean debut with their first studio album, “In Heaven.”

CNBLUE

South Korean pop rock band CNBLUE began their career as an indie band with four members in Japan with the release of their first mini album “Now or Never” on August 18, 2009. They later debuted in South Korea on January 14, 2010 with the mini-album “Bluetory.”

N.FLYING

Like CNBLUE, N.Flying, the five-member boy band under FNC Entertainment, initially debuted as an indie band in Japan with the single “Basket” on October 1, 2013. Their official South Korean debut came on May 20, 2015, with the release of the mini album "Awesome."

SUPER JUNIOR–L.S.S.

SUPER JUNIOR–L.S.S. is the sixth sub-unit of the veteran boy group under SM Entertainment. Comprised of Leeteuk, Shindong, and Siwon, the sub-unit made their debut in Japan on January 17, 2024, with the mini album "Let’s Standing Show." Four days later, on January 22, they officially debuted in South Korea with the digital single "Suit Up."

YOUNHA

Younha is a popular South Korean soloist currently under the management of C9 Entertainment. She began her career in Japan with the single “Yubikiri—Japanese version—“ on October 20, 2004 before her official Korean debut with the digital single “Attention” on December 17, 2006.

SOOYOUNG [Girls’ Generation]

Choi Sooyoung from the iconic SM girl group Girls’ Generation initially debuted as a member of the Japanese-Korean duo route 0 on April 26, 2002, releasing their first Japanese single “Start.” Following the duo's disbandment, she became a SM Entertainment trainee and eventually debuted with Girls' Generation.

SOMIN [KARD]

Somin from the popular co-ed group KARD is a former member of PURETTY. This five-member girl group, formed by DSP Media, made their debut in Japan on September 5, 2012, with their first single, “Check It☆Love.”

CHAEKYUNG

Chaekyung from the now disbanded K-pop girl group APRIL also began her career in Japan as a member of the DSP girl group PURETTY in 2012. She later made her South Korean debut with C.I.V.A and I.B.I in 2016, before officially joining APRIL on January 4, 2017.

ASOME.D

Asome.D, a three-member girl group under DY Entertainment and WinPlus, made their Japanese debut on January 27, 2020, with the single “Never Ever,” and followed up with their South Korean debut on October 19 of the same year, releasing the single “Funny Gotcha.”

Share your thoughts on South Korean artists making their debut in Japan before launching their careers in the domestic music scene.