Recent years have seen more and more K-pop idols making solo debuts in the music scene. Some have even made a stronger impression than they did with their groups.

Early this year, male idols from Jung Yong-hwa to Niel took the K-pop circle by storm.

Overall, the boys reaped moderate success, proving their musical talent and solidifying their standings as musicians.

Jonghyun, a member of SHINee for six years’ running, was the first to hit the stage as a soloist this year.

(SM Entertainment)

The 24-year-old idol swept local real-time charts and TV music competition programs with the lead singles “Deja-Boo” and “Crazy,” off his solo album “BASE.”

Released on Jan. 12, the album also won high acclaim abroad, topping the American Billboard World Albums chart, Japanese iTunes Albums chart and Taiwanese FIVE MUSIC Korea-Japan weekly chart.

The music video for the track “Crazy” was even crowned the most-watched K-pop music video on YouTube for January 2015, according to Billboard.

But Jonghyun’s No. 1 title on Billboard’s World Albums chart was soon stolen by CNBLUE member Jung Yong-hwa, who made his solo debut a week after Jonghyun.

(FNC Entertainment)

The singer-turned-actor’s 10-track album “One Fine Day” earned him the No. 1 spot on the Billboard chart, only a week after its release on Jan. 20.

He won several trophies on the TV music shows and claimed the top spot on local music ranking charts with the title track.

Jung also made his mark abroad, with his album ranking No. 1 on the iTunes Albums chart in seven countries including Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand.

In a departure from CNBLUE’s iconic boy band style, the track successfully showcased the rock singer’s ballad vocals, critics said.

TEEN TOP member Niel followed in Jung and Jonghyun’s footsteps by releasing the solo album “oNLELy” on Feb. 16.

(Top Media)

The 20-year-old idol, who debuted as a child actor, recently grabbed the top trophies on KBS’ “Music Bank” and MBC’s “Show! Music Core” with his lead single “Lovekiller.”

What about girls?

Female idols are also stretching their wings as solo musicians.

Amber, the Chinese-born rapper from girl group f(x), released her debut EP “Beautiful,” featuring the self-composed and written hip-hop tune “Shake That Brass.”

(SM Entertainment)

Released on Feb. 16, the 22-year-old rapper’s new track has been well received in Cambodia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Malaysia, recording high sales on their iTunes Albums charts.

She also made a notable appearance on the MBC reality program “Real Men -- Women’s Army Special,” appealing to Koreans with her outgoing personality and passion.

Another K-pop starlet, Gain, a member of girl group Brown Eyed Girls, will drop her solo album “Hawwah” on March 12, featuring two lead singles by famed producer Jo Young-chul.

(APOP)

“Hawwah” is Hebrew for the biblical character Eve and the songs tell a modern version of the story of Eve, the group’s agency said.

The next female idol to go solo will be Minah, the main vocalist of K-pop girl group Girl’s Day.

(OSEN)

She is putting the final touches on her solo album and its lead track will be an upbeat song that fully reflects her fresh charms, the label said.

(khnews@heraldcorp.com)