As in previous years, 2013 was another big year for K-pop idol groups. At the same time, it welcomed back legendary figures such as Cho Yong-pil to the scene. But above all, it was the female soloists who shined the most this year. Starting with former girl group member Lee Hyo-ri, female artists including 2NE1’s CL, Seo In-young, Ailee, Kim Ye-rim, former Wonder Girls’ member Sunmi, Secret’s Song Ji-eun, former After School member Kahi, IU, Park Ji-yun and Sistar’s Hyorin swept the K-pop charts and TV music shows throughout the year. 
Lee Hyo-ri released her fifth official album “Monochrome” in May and yet again proved to the music fans that girl power still prevails with her new songs “Bad Girls” and “Miss Korea.” A former member of FIN.K.L, Lee Hyo-ri has succeeded as a solo artist and has now become a role model for younger female singers. With her powerful charisma, she showed that her passion for music and stage has remained unchanged even after she tied the knot with singer Lee Sang-soon. She took the Best Female Artist Award at the 2013 MAMA held in November. She also recently held an open audition for “Miss & Mrs. Korea” who will accompany her on the stage at the 2013 SBS Gayo Daejeon. Not scared to try something new on the stage or with her music, Lee Hyo-ri is proving herself as the top female artist in Korea.
Back in October, IU achieved an “all-kill” (topping all major charts) with “Red Shoes,” the title track of her third official album “Modern Times.” Then “Friday” of the repackaged third album released on the 20th topped all of the ten major music charts in Korea as well as the weekly iChart, and IU recorded a “perfect all-kill.” IU also had a successful acting career this year, starring in KBS2 soap “You’re the Best, Lee Soon-shin” and the currently airing “Pretty Boy.” Her myriad talents and charms have entranced both the viewers and the music fans.
This year, many girl group members delighted their fans by appearing as soloists. 2NE1’s leader CL released her first solo single “The Baddest Female” in May, and was lauded by her fans for her powerful charisma. While 2NE1 brought sophisticated, catchy tunes to the scene, CL as a solo artist filled the stage with her sexy, powerful performance and displayed her forte as a soloist. She definitely had the boys under her spell with her own “bad girl” concept that differed from the image set by Lee Hyo-ri.
There was also the dramatic comeback of a long-missed girl-turned-woman. It was none other than the former Wonder Girls’ member Sunmi. She created the 2013 version of the “Coming-of-Age Ceremony” boom with her solo debut song “24 Hours.” JYP Entertainment’s Park Jin-young participated in the music, music video, and choreography of “24 Hours” and produced an impressive performance overall. Dancing barefoot and flitting from sexy to innocence, Sunmi played with the hearts of her male fans.
Sistar’s Hyorin also continued the power of female solo artists of 2013. She released her solo debut album “Love & Hate” in November and saw her two title tracks “Lonely” and “One Way Love” top music charts and TV music show rankings. Her triumph as a solo artist comes after she enjoyed immense success as a duet, Sistar 19. Hyorin fueled her popularity by appearing in numerous TV shows and displaying her bold, carefree personality. Resembling Lee Hyo-ri in many ways, she joined the lineage of female solo artists this year.
Female solo artists brought various genres and performances to the diverse K-pop scene this year and delighted the music fans with their activity. Fans are waiting to see which female solo artists will shine in 2014.