I’ll check out Okay-pop’s established artists tomorrow, however I prefer to share my ideas about this yr’s rookies first.
For me, 2025 was outlined by its rookies. That is in all probability my best countdown this yr, as there have been so many new teams I discovered compelling. Surprisingly, many of those emerged from survival collection. I don’t normally think about {that a} pipeline for nice, idiosyncratic music, however companies have appeared to be taught 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.
Not like my High 50 countdown, any group who debuted on this calendar yr is eligible. Earlier than I break down my picks, listed here are a number of honorable mentions:
AM8IC
AxMxP
idntt
Kiii Kiii
KIIRAS
NEWBEAT
RE:WIND
XLOV
Click on for final yr’s rookie countdown
10. 1VERSE
I’ll all the time help a scrappy underdog vitality. 1VERSE won’t have a lot music to their identify, however they’ve already damaged milestones with their international strategy 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 strong music on the horizon for them.
Singles launched: Wager You’ll Remorse It // F Woman // I DONT CARE
8. IFEYE
Each of ifeye’s 2025 songs grew on me immensely, particularly their summer season dance monitor R U OK?. They’ve bought all the pieces it takes to hit huge. 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 in all probability essentially the most profitable breakout of the yr and proof that co-ed teams might nonetheless conquer the charts. A blended monitor file (for each hit, they launched a complete dud) retains them from climbing greater by myself listing, however I discover them to be an thrilling prospect.
Singles launched: Well-known // Look At Me // One Extra Time // Depraved
6. IDID
Up to now, 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 ought to be greater on my listing. I’ve a sense Hearts2Hearts will get there ultimately, however for now I discovered their debut yr decidedly blended. Nonetheless, Type jumped out because the company’s strongest single of 2025 and the group feels well-balanced to sort out 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 number of comebacks to essentially join. For me, KickFlip have been the latter. Nonetheless, gradual and regular wins the race and I discovered myself extra concerned with their music every time they made a comeback. That’s an amazing signal for a rookie group and if they’ll hold this trajectory going we’re in for an actual deal with.
Singles launched: Band-Assist // Freeze // Knock Knock // Mama Mentioned // My First Love Track // Umm Nice
3. CLOSE YOUR EYES
The artistic path for Shut Your Eyes has been unreal this yr. They really feel like a boutique idol group with each factor curated moderately than pulled from the cut price bin of track camp constructions. Their laidback debut made a powerful impression, choosing a special tone than their friends. They went on to showcase versatility all year long, all whereas sustaining their distinctive inventive imaginative and prescient. I’m very charmed by their output and might’t wait to see which path they take subsequent.
Singles launched: All My Poetry // Paint Sweet // Snowy Summer time // SOB // X
2. NOUERA
NouerA are a Okay-pop lovers Okay-pop group, harnessing so most of the trade’s traditional sounds. Their music pulls a bit from every technology, wrapping nostalgia in trendy trappings to craft a mode 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 yr. 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 ought to be lots to stay up for in 2026.
Singles launched: N (Quantity Of Instances) // N.I.N (New Is Now)
1. AHOF
So lots of this yr’s rookies got here from survival collection, most of which I didn’t watch. So when AHOF debuted in the beginning of July, I went into their music blind. I used to be rapidly gained over by their dramatic sound, and that admiration deepened as I went again to look at Universe League and their album turned a agency fixture on my playlist. Then, they returned with one other knockout monitor and it turned clear that we’ve bought one thing particular on our arms.
AHOF positioned two songs in my prime ten this yr, which is fairly uncommon for a rookie group. They’ve bought a incredible collaborator in former-idol-turned-producer EL CAPITXN, who appears to have a transparent imaginative and prescient for his or her sound. The members symbolize six completely different international locations, bringing a world aptitude and cultural variety to the combo. They’re hilarious on selection exhibits, with colourful traits that set them aside from different idol teams. In abstract, their resume is already very sturdy and buoyed by a devoted fanbase that’s given them large 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