Winning first place in a Korean music show is definitely a huge achievement for artists, especially since not all can achieve it. However, winning in a "Big 3" music show is an even bigger milestone. A "Big 3" music show in South Korea is one that is broadcast on the big 3 television networks such as KBS, MBC and SBS. Those music shows are KBS's " Music Bank," MBC's "Show! Music Core," and SBS's "Inkigayo."

These three are deemed the "Big 3" Korean music shows, as they have a more competitive chart scope with score factors that make it hard for an artist to win a trophy. While it may have been easy for some singers to win first place on these music shows, some acts have had to wait tremendously long period to get their first #1 on these programs.

In this article, we'll take a look at some K-pop girl groups that took more than two years to achieve the feat and the song that earned them the victory.

8 K-pop Girl Groups That Won in One of the 'Big 3' Korean Music Shows After Over 2 Years

Apink - "NoNoNo"

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Apink debuted on April 19, 2011, but they had to wait 823 days to win in a "Big 3" Korean music show. On the July 19 episode of KBS's "Music Bank" back in 2013, Apink took first place with their hit song "NoNoNo."

LABOUM - "Hwi Hwi"

LABOUM also took a few years before they earned a trophy in one of "Big 3" Korean music shows. The girl group debuted on Aug. 28, 2014 but it took them 975 days before they won first place on KBS's "Music Bank" with "Hwi Hwi." The win immediately made the members shed tears.

EXID - "Up & Down"

EXID is another K-pop girl group that had to wait multiple years to take home a trophy from one of the three Korean music shows. With their smash hit "Up & Down," EXID won on KBS's "Music Bank" after 1,059 days of their debut. It was truly an emotional win for the members.

Girl's Day - "Female President"

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After debuting on July 9, 2010, Girl's Day had a tough time winning first place in one of the "Big 3" Korean music shows, until 2013. They were announced as the winner in the July 8 episode of SBS's "Inkigayo" after 1,096 days of their debut. (The broadcast was canceled that time due to the Asiana Airline crash in San Francisco.)

Jewelry - "Superstar"

Before they disbanded in 2015, K-pop girl group Jewelry managed to receive a trophy on SBS's "Inkigayo" with their 2005 song "Superstar." It took them 1,493 days since their debut in 2001 to achieve the feat. The girls were deeply grateful for the win.

Oh My Girl - "Bungee"

Oh My Girl is one of the K-pop girl groups that didn't gain much recognition right after their debut. In fact, they almost disbanded in 2018 but their album "Secret Garden" saved them from the unfortunate ending. They went on to attain a music show win on SBS's "Inkigayo" with "Bungee," 1,581 days after their debut.

fromis_9 - "Stay This Way"

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While fromis_9 is a rising artist at present, the girl group didn't garner massive attention in the past. Because of their increasing popularity, they were able to win a trophy on KBS's "Music Bank" with "Stay This Way." It took them 1,627 days after their debut to achieve the milestone.

Brave Girls - "Rollin'"

Finally, Brave Girls is the K-pop girl group who had to wait the longest time to win first place in one of the "Big 3" Korean music shows. Thanks to their 2017 song "Rollin'," which had a reverse run on domestic charts, they were able to earn a trophy on SBS's "Inkigayo," 1,654 days after their debut.

Do you know other K-pop girl groups who took multiple years before they won on KBS's "Music Bank," SBS's "Inkigayo," or MBC's "Show! Music Core"? If yes, comment down below!

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Written by Maria Scott