K-Pop Girl Groups That Waited 1000+ Days to Get First Win: Dreamcatcher, Brave Girls, MORE!

By Alexa Lewis Apr 30, 2022

These eight K-pop girl groups waited over 1,000 days to get their first music show win!

1. Dreamcatcher

Dreamcatcher debuted in 2017 and gained attention for their unique dark rock style and their sharp dance moves. The girl group saw massive success internationally but struggled to hit the mainstream in South Korea. Despite their catchy singles, several comebacks went without a music show win.

Finally, Dreamcatcher won their first music show win in April 2022 with their song "MAISON" on "Show Champion." It took 1,924 days for Dreamcatcher to win a trophy in a music program.

2. Oh My Girl

Though Oh My Girl is a household name now, they used to be underrated. Their unique forest and summer sounds were popular, but they always fell short of first place. Oh My Girl debuted on April 21, 2015, and were on the brink of disbandment when they won first place in January 2018 on "The Show" with "Secret Garden."

It took Oh My Girl 1,009 days to win their first music show trophy. Since then, the girls competed on "Queendom" in 2019 and became one of K-pop's top girl groups!

3. CLC

CLC debuted in 2015 and was known for their talents and beauty. Sadly, they were underrated in South Korea and spent years without a music show win. However, in 2019, CLC took home their first music show win ever on "The Show" with "NO." It took 1,427 days for them to win a trophy, and it was extra special, as CLC member Yeeun was the MC at the time!

Sadly, in 2021, it was revealed that CUBE Entertainment no longer suppored CLC's activities, and several members have since left the company. CLC member Yujin competed in "Girls Planet 999" in 2021 and is currently active as a member of Kep1er.

4. Brave Girls

Though Brave Girls debuted in 2011, the group's current members all joined Brave Girls in 2016. They promoted as the group for four years without any massive success, and they were on the brink of disbandment. However, in February 2021, a fan-made compilation video of "Rollin'" went viral, causing a reverse run on the charts.

Though "Rollin'" was released in 20117, the girl group resumed promotional activities in 2021 following the song's success. They won their first win in March 2021 on "Inkigayo." It took the girl group 1,854 days to win their first trophy!

5. fromis_9

fromis_9 was formed through the survival show "Idol School" and debuted in 2018. Since their debut, the group released several lively songs but failed to see mainstream success.

However, after 1,322 days since their debut, fromis_9 won first place on "The Show" with "TALK&TALK" in September 2021! Since then, the girl group's popularity has continued to grow.

6. DIA

DIA is a girl group that debuted under MBK Entertainment in 2015. The group contained several famous members, notably Jung Chaeyeon, who was part of I.O.I. Though several members gained fame through survival shows, the group struggled to see success.

Three years after debuting, DIA won their first win in 2018 with "Woo Woo" on "The Show." It took the girl group 1,066 days to win a music program trophy.

7. EXID

EXID is one of the first girl groups to experience a reverse run on the charts. EXID debuted in 2012 and struggled even to have their music chart on MelOn and Gaon for the first few years of their debut. They were close to disbandment in 2014 until a fancam of Hani performing "Up & Down" went viral, causing the song to shoot up in the charts months after its release.

The girls were invited to promote the song on programs again, and, in January 2015, the group won their first win on "M Countdown" with "Up & Down."

8. Girl's Day

Girl's Day made their debuted in 2010 and released several well-loved hits such as "Something," "Darling," and "Expectation." However, though well-known, it was difficult for Girl's Day to compete in the saturated K-pop market. That is, until 2013.

In 2013, Girl's Day released "Female President." Then, on January 11, 2014, Girl's Day took home their first-ever music show win with the single! It took the girl group 1,095 days to win their first win.