Whether you're a longtime fan looking for a nostalgic music trip or a curious listener kickstarting your K-pop education, these are the must-know girl groups.

In the U.S., dominant girl groups seem to come in waves, going from multiple groups competing at the top of the charts to periods where they seemed to have deserted the landscape altogether. The Spice Girls and Destiny's Child kicked things off in the late '90s and Dream, 3LW, the Pussycat Dolls and more came and went, leaving us today with Little Mix, Fifth Harmony and a few other rising acts.

But in the K-pop scene, female acts rose to prominence in the late '90s, and domestic fascination never simmered. Eventually, these girl groups' allure translated overseas, with international fans parlaying their love into incredible global feats. From the ladies who set the stage to those stealing the spotlight today, here are the 10 K-pop girl groups you need to know in no particular order.