I’ll check out Ok-pop’s established artists tomorrow, however I prefer to share my ideas about this 12 months’s rookies first.
For me, 2025 was outlined by its rookies. That is most likely my best countdown this 12 months, as there have been so many new teams I discovered compelling. Surprisingly, many of those emerged from survival collection. I don’t often think about {that a} pipeline for excellent, idiosyncratic music, however businesses have appeared to study the significance of giving their rookie artists a definite voice. These artists who felt extra targeted tended to do higher in my rating. Nonetheless, there’s little or no room between many of those acts.
In contrast to my Prime 50 countdown, any group who debuted on this calendar 12 months is eligible. Earlier than I break down my picks, listed below are a couple of honorable mentions:
AM8IC
AxMxP
idntt
Kiii Kiii
KIIRAS
NEWBEAT
RE:WIND
XLOV
Click on for final 12 months’s rookie countdown
2025 Yr-Finish Masterpost
10. 1VERSE
I’ll all the time assist a scrappy underdog vitality. 1VERSE won’t have a lot music to their identify, however they’ve already damaged milestones with their world method they usually boast a number of the most entertaining DIY selection materials of any group.
Singles launched: Multiverse // Shattered
9. BABY DONT CRY
I’m nonetheless not completely bought on their pair of debut-era singles, however I DONT CARE‘s synth-infused melodrama gained me over and I sense extra stable music on the horizon for them.
Singles launched: Guess You’ll Remorse It // F Woman // I DONT CARE
8. IFEYE
Each of ifeye’s 2025 songs grew on me immensely, particularly their summer time dance observe R U OK?. They’ve received all the pieces it takes to hit large. Now, they merely want to search out their very own musical voice that stands out amongst their many friends.
Singles launched: Nerdy // R U OK?
7. ALLDAY PROJECT
ALLDAY PROJECT have been most likely probably the most profitable breakout of the 12 months and proof that co-ed teams might nonetheless conquer the charts. A blended observe document (for each hit, they launched a complete dud) retains them from climbing larger alone listing, however I discover them to be an thrilling prospect.
Singles launched: Well-known // Look At Me // One Extra Time // Depraved
6. IDID
To this point, IDID haven’t harnessed the sound I’d hoped they might, however they’ve managed to make overused tropes their very own with a swaggering vitality and youthful zest. This resulted in a collection of tracks that solely grew extra addictive with time, proving the group’s longevity.
Singles launched: CHAN-RAN // Push Again // Step It Up
5. HEARTS2HEARTS
By all accounts, a brand new SM Leisure group needs to be larger on my listing. I’ve a sense Hearts2Hearts will get there finally, however for now I discovered their debut 12 months decidedly blended. Nevertheless, Type jumped out because the company’s strongest single of 2025 and the group feels well-balanced to deal with quite a lot of sounds sooner or later.
Singles launched: Butterflies // Focus // Fairly Please // Type // The Chase
4. KICKFLIP
Some new acts slay you straight away with their debut. Others take a couple of comebacks to actually join. For me, KickFlip have been the latter. Nevertheless, gradual and regular wins the race and I discovered myself extra desirous about their music every time they made a comeback. That’s an awesome signal for a rookie group and if they’ll maintain this trajectory going we’re in for an actual deal with.
Singles launched: Band-Help // Freeze // Knock Knock // Mama Stated // My First Love Tune // Umm Nice
3. CLOSE YOUR EYES
The artistic route for Shut Your Eyes has been unreal this 12 months. They really feel like a boutique idol group with each ingredient curated reasonably than pulled from the discount bin of music camp constructions. Their laidback debut made a robust impression, choosing a special tone than their friends. They went on to showcase versatility all year long, all whereas sustaining their distinctive creative imaginative and prescient. I’m very charmed by their output and may’t wait to see which route they take subsequent.
Singles launched: All My Poetry // Paint Sweet // Snowy Summer time // SOB // X
2. NOUERA
NouerA are a Ok-pop lovers Ok-pop group, harnessing so lots of the trade’s basic sounds. Their music pulls a bit from every technology, wrapping nostalgia in fashionable trappings to craft a method that basically stands out. Their partnership with legendary producer e.one has steered them to nice success and I hope it continues into the brand new 12 months. And of all of the teams on this listing, NouerA boast the strongest albums. A few of their greatest materials wasn’t even promoted, that means there needs to be quite a bit to sit up for in 2026.
Singles launched: N (Quantity Of Circumstances) // N.I.N (New Is Now)
1. AHOF
So a lot of this 12 months’s rookies got here from survival collection, most of which I didn’t watch. So when AHOF debuted initially of July, I went into their music blind. I used to be shortly gained over by their dramatic sound, and that admiration deepened as I went again to observe Universe League and their album grew to become a agency fixture on my playlist. Then, they returned with one other knockout observe and it grew to become clear that we’ve received one thing particular on our fingers.
AHOF positioned two songs in my high ten this 12 months, which is fairly uncommon for a rookie group. They’ve received a unbelievable collaborator in former-idol-turned-producer EL CAPITXN, who appears to have a transparent imaginative and prescient for his or her sound. The members signify six completely different nations, bringing a world aptitude and cultural variety to the combo. They’re hilarious on selection reveals, with colourful traits that set them aside from different idol teams. In abstract, their resume is already very robust and buoyed by a devoted fanbase that’s given them big success proper out of the gate. That success is clearly deserved and appears poised to broaden even additional in 2026.
Singles launched: Pinocchio // Rendezvous // The Universe
