TOP 10 Fastest K-Pop Idols To Release A Solo Album After Debut

Releasing a solo album while still being part of a group is a dream for many K-pop idols, as it allows them to explore different musical genres and styles they may not have previously been able to. These are the 10 idols who released a solo album the quickest, after debuting in a K-pop group.

10. BIGBANG T.O.P – 3 years, 10 months

Debuting with BIGBANG in August 2006, it took T.O.P almost 4 years to release his first solo album, Turn it Up. The song was later included as a bonus track on GD & TOP‘s first full album.

9. Block B Zico – 3 years, 7 months

Prior to his debut with Block B, Zico began his career as an underground rapper. His first official solo album release after joining Block B was in November 2014 with Tough Cookie. 

8. SISTAR Hyolyn – 3 years, 5 months

Hyolyn is the first artist on this list to debut with a full album, beginning her career as a soloist in November 2013 with her album Love & Hate. The album has an impressive ensemble of featuring artists including Zico, Mad Clown, and Dok2.

7. Highlight Yoseob – 3 years, 1 month

Yoseob‘s debut mini-album came as a surprise to some, as fellow Beast member Junhyung teased it on his personal Twitter, making fans think it was his album. It was soon revealed that Junhyung was actually the producer for Yoseob’s first solo album.

6. BIGBANG G-Dragon – 3 years

G-Dragon released his debut solo album in August 2009 after 3 years of being in BIGBANG. His debut solo album is also unique in the fact that he was personally involved in the creation of all 10 tracks.

5. 4minute Hyuna – 2 years, 11 months

Just under 3 years after her initial debut with Wonder Girls, Hyuna released her first solo album Change and it immediately became a hit, charting in the Top 10 of Gaon for 5 straight weeks.

4. Infinite Sunggyu – 2 years, 5 months

Sunggyu debuted as a soloist in November 2012 and his debut mini-album Another Me became the highest selling physical album for the month with over 60,000 copies sold.

3. BIGBANG Taeyang – 1 year, 9 months

Taeyang debuted as a soloist the earliest out of everyone on the list, in 2008! His first mini-album Hot won Best R&B/Soul Album and the album’s title track “Only Look At Me” won Best R&B/Soul Song at the 6th Korean Music Awards.

2. Gugudan Sejeong – 7 months

Just 7 months after debuting with I.O.I, Sejeong released her first single album Flower Way. Sejeong won her first music show #1 on Show Champion, only 1 week after its release.

1. Secret Song Jieun – 2 months

It only took 2 months for Song Jieun to debut as a soloist after beginning her career in K-pop with Secret. Joining forces with Fly to the Sky‘s Hwanhee, Song Jieun debuted as a soloist with her single album Yesterday.