15 Most Famous Logos by K-Pop Music Groups
K-Pop has risen from relatively humble beginnings in 2016 to become one of the world’s most popular music genres. Although the genre traces its roots to South Korea, it currently enjoys a fan base spread across different countries and continents.
K-pop’s unique music style is obviously the primary reason behind its popularity. But unknown to many, the charming logos used by various K-pop singers has also contributed immensely to propelling this genre to the top of global music charts.
In this article, we look at the 15 best k-pop logos and what makes them special.
1. BTS
BTS is one of the most successful K-pop groups. The boy band, whose initials originally stood for Bang Tan Sanyeodan (Korean for Bulletproof Boy Scouts), changed their name to Beyond The Scene in 2017.
With that rebranding came a transition from BTS’ original logo of a bulletproof jacket to a more minimalistic design of black trapezoids. The geometric shapes are set facing each other. Between them is a dividing line that creates the image of an opening door.
BTS’ new logo resonates with youthfulness, which constitutes the majority of the group’s fan base. The image of an opening door represents the limitless possibilities awaiting the band members as they step into the future.
2. EXO
EXO is one of the oldest K-pop bands. The group debuted in 2011 under SM Entertainment. Like many K-pop bands, EXO has experimented with a number of logos over the years. However, the group’s emblem has maintained its hexagonal shape.
The current iteration of EXO’s logo features two crossed flags executed in a manner that creates a semaphore-inspired design. To the left of the logo is a horizontal line that protrudes inwards, whose symbolism most EXO fans are yet to figure out.
EXO’s new logo has appeared in many of the band’s works, including their Obsession album released in 2019.
3. Red Velvet
Like EXO, Red Velvet has altered its logo numerous times over the years while maintaining the primary design. In this case, of a stylized letter “R.”
The letter R in Red Velvet’s symbol uses a baby pink color set against a black background. The letter is slightly slanting to the right, with its tail elongated into a fancy, velvety design that also forms the shape of letter “V.”
Red Velvet’s name represents the group’s duality of style. The “red” reference in the name denotes funk, hip-hop, and electronic music, while the “velvet” name stands for R&B, jazz, and ballads.
4. Infinite
The digits O and 8 represent infinity in numerology. So, it’s unsurprising that Infinite’s logo utilizes the number 8.
At first glance, the design appears like digits nine and six executed horizontally, with 9 to the left side and 6 to the right. But if examined closely, you’ll realize that it’s actually a horizontal eight.
But what truly makes Infinite’s logo unique is that the band utilizes a new style of eight for each album. The group doesn’t seem to be in a hurry to replace the stylized number eight as it’s what truly defines them best.
5. Seventeen
Seventeen’s logo is widely regarded as the most beautiful K-pop emblem ever created. That’s due to its sleek and charming design.
The logo uses a pinkish-blue diamond carefully sliced into three different portions, such that the inner part of the logo forms a stylized letter “y” while its uppermost part creates a smaller diamond.
The piece to the left forms what appears like a diagonal number one while the piece to the right forms a diagonal number seven, representing the group’s name. The two portions form a cusp at the bottom of the diamond, adding to the logo’s aesthetic appeal.
6. Blackpink
Blackpink holds the prestigious title for being the first South Korean female band to ever perform at Coachella. But that’s not their only claim to fame. The highly-talented music group has also given us one of the most memorable logos in K-pop’s history.
Blackpink’s emblem is exactly what the name implies – a black wordmark of the band’s name set on a pink background.
All letters in the wordmark are bold and UPPERCASED. Letter “A” is inverted and missing a crossbar while letters C and N are reversed, creating a cool image that’s sure to pique anyone’s interest.
7. iKon
iKon’s logo can appear minimalistic or highly sophisticated. It all depends on the looker.
The logo features diagonal black and white stripes, with six black bars and six white bars. The third black bar is split in half, creating the capital letter “H” with its adjacent white bars.
You’ll also realize that the logo tapers from left to right, making the stripes appear smaller. The last stripe forms what appears like a capital letter “A,” but with its right tail slanted towards the left. Overall, the logo is incredibly smooth and attractive.
8. Monsta X
You’re a great fan of Monsta X if you have a collection of their electric songs. But you’re an even more avid follower if you can draw the group’s iconic logo.
Monsta X’s logo is a sharp and geometrical design made with the band’s initials – M and X. The letter “X” appears in the middle, with two vertical lines on its left and right which combine with the X to create “M.”
Most Monsta X logos also appear with the group’s full name executed underneath the monogram in lower case letters. However, it’s the interwoven “X” and “M” that makes the design truly memorable.
9. SHINee
Here’s yet another K-pop band whose logo never fails to steal people’s attention.
SHINee is a portmanteau of words denoting light and its receiver. The name loosely translates to “one who receives the light,” symbolizing the group’s dream of shining out of the crowd and becoming the best they can be.
SHINee’s logo is essentially the band’s wordmark. Its most defining features are extending lines of the letter “N” and the last letter “e.” This creates the image of light striking the emblem and then bouncing off into different directions.
10. Treasure
Treasure is probably the one K-pop music group on this list that uses the most straightforward logo. The band’s logo comprises 12 stars, representing the number of its members.
Nine of the 12 stars form a perfect square. Two of the remaining stars are added horizontally to each side of the square while the last star occurs at the bottom of the square.
Treasure’s star-based emblem is usually accompanied by the band’s logotype. The wordmark appears underneath the stars in bold, UPPERCASE letters, with the letters “E” designed in the shape of reversed number “3.”
11. Mamaoo
If you don’t consider Treasure’s logo simple enough, then this design by the Mamaoo K-pop group might be your idea of a simplistic emblem.
Mamaoo’s logo is made from several “Ms” that are connected to each other such that they form a wave-like image. Perhaps the group utilized this design to convey their goal of having their music dominate the global airwaves.
The execution of Mamaoo’s logo also resonates with infinity. That’s especially when you consider that the emblem’s silhouette creates two circles at each end. Circles, just like zeros, denote infinity.
12. Astro
Many conspiracy theorists will immediately associate this group’s logo with the Illuminati or freemasonry. That’s due to its near similarity with the pentagram.
However, Astro’s logo is quite distinct from the pentagram that’s been eerily linked to secret societies. Instead, the design utilizes a six pointed star that’s stylized to look like the letter “A.”
The upright triangle features regular sides while the inverted one has its upper line curved inwards to form the crossbar of letter “A.” The “A” stands for the group’s initial, which, by the way, is Spanish for “star.”
13. NCT
NCT debuted in 2016 under SM Entertainment, around the same period the K-pop music genre began to generate global attention. The band uses a fairly simple logotype.
NCT’s wordmark is in lowercase letters, giving it a friendly and approachable look. But perhaps the most standout feature of the band’s logo is the implementation of geometric glyphs, which give the wordmark a square silhouette.
The logotype typically appears in white lettering against a black square frame. You’ll also realize that the “nct” portion appears towards the right of the square frame as opposed to its center, possibly denoting motion.
14. Super M
Many K-pop fans often wonder why Super M has been christened “the Avengers of K-Pop.” As it turns out, that moniker has much to do with the group’s dream team of seven talented artists and its powerful logo.
Super M uses a monogram logo with the letter “S” somewhat resembling the “S” used for the Spiderman film and comic books character. The entire logo is executed in a single line, with letter S’s ascender curving upwards and then downwards, creating what appears to be the first half of letter “M.”
The logo’s skillful execution denotes progress while its bold texture represents masculinity.
15. TWICE
TWICE has dozens of tracks and albums to their name. And while the group is famous for their artistic reinvention, they’ve managed to keep the same logo design over the years.
Like most K-pop bands on this list, TWICE uses a monogram logo. The logo features a stylized capital letter T drawn with its tail winding into what looks like a small letter “w,” completing the group’s name. The curved portion of the monogram that forms a “w” resonates with the band’s femininity.
TWICE also has a penchant for using bright colors on its logos. The group seems to favor variations of red, although each album usually has its unique color scheme.
Final Word
It doesn’t matter whether you’re a K-pop fan or not. You’ll most certainly be mesmerized by the above logos used by some of the most successful K-pop groups.