NMIXX, SHINee, Jennie, KiiiKiii, ATEEZ

Trimming down to simply 40 songs felt close to unimaginable, so just a few honorable mentions had been certainly wanted. These three rising artists are on the cusp, making strong tracks that deserve higher recognition.

“ShaLaLa” — Say My Identify

The woman group, hailing from Jaejoong’s iNKODE label, has all of the elements to catapult them into the subsequent degree, together with their dreamy, bubblegum pop sounds showcased in “ShaLaLa.” The now eight-member group gained early curiosity for a number of causes, together with their chief Hitomi, a former member of IZ*ONE and J-pop outfit AKB48. Say My Identify’s subsequent launch, &Our Vibe, is slated for launch later this month.

“Rizz” — XLOV

XLOV’s genderless idea is a groundbreaking step ahead on the planet of Ok-pop. With every latest launch, the group’s reputation has grown considerably; nevertheless, “Rizz” looks like an actual turning level for the four-member outfit. The track’s infectiously catchy and its choreography is tailored for TikTok vitality. Come this time subsequent 12 months, XLOV will seemingly have a a lot bigger presence globally, if the previous six months alone are any indication.

“I Don’t Care” — Child DONT Cry

PNation, the label based by legendary Ok-pop singer Psy, debuted its first woman group earlier this 12 months, introducing the 4 members of Child DONT Cry to the world. The woman group, who launched beneath the artistic route of Idle’s Soyeon, carried on their signature “child rock” sound with their first comeback, “I Don’t Care.” The woman energy anthem is the right instance of pop-rock meets Ok-pop, and is a enjoyable route for the younger members of the group.

The eight-member boy group’s 2023 debut earned them a strong fanbase. Within the two years since that debut, 8Turn has been steadily releasing a strong boy group discography. Their newest single, “Electrical Coronary heart,” is an unbelievable showcase of the group’s expertise and strong case as to why Ok-pop followers ought to be being attentive to them. The refreshing summer time monitor exudes youthful power that can follow listeners lengthy after switching to the subsequent monitor.

Chaeyoung, a member of chart-topping woman group Twice, launched her first studio album, Lil Fantasy Vol.1, earlier this 12 months. The nine-track album is led by the groovy single, “Shoot (Firecracker).” The three-minute track is sort of the departure from Twice’s discography, permitting the 26-year-old to discover creatively in a approach she hasn’t but been in a position to. It’s a strong debut, and sonically talking, it’s maybe the strongest Twice solo up to now.

Rookie boy group Shut Your Eyes, fashioned by Korean music competitors collection Undertaking 7, set the bar excessive with their debut monitor, “All My Poetry.” The seven-member boy group manages to seek out originality by the a nostalgia heavy monitor, setting themselves aside in in the present day’s Ok-pop panorama. It’s a powerful begin for the group, who clearly have a vibrant future forward.

Choosing only one TripleS track to think about is sort of a process, given the group’s idea of ever-evolving sub-units lends to extra releases than most Ok-pop teams would possibly in a given 12 months. The group’s latest album, msnz, options all 24 members of the mega-girl group, break up into 4 sub-units. “Cameo Love,” a dreamy, breezy single by the group’s Moon unit (Sullin, SoHyun, JiYeon, Kaede, ShiOn and Lynn) is an instantaneous standout on the album and of the 12 months. It’s the strongest monitor the — frankly underrated — woman group has put out this 12 months.

Enhypen stays one of the constant boy teams selling in the present day. The seven-member outfit has spent the 5 years since their debut constructing an immediately recognizable sound, whereas nonetheless exploring new genres and kinds in an thrilling approach. “Dangerous Want” is a quintessential Enhypen track, and that in and of itself is a real praise.

The best ladies in Ok-pop — Aespa, in fact — opted to pivot in 2025 to a extra conventional Ok-pop route after their legendary 2024 title monitor run. Ultimately, it labored out, as “Wealthy Man” serves as a reminder that Aespa has many layers, and the power to dip out and in of various pop genres. The monitor can also be simply actually catchy, in order that doesn’t damage both.

The nine-member boy group, whose permeant future nonetheless stays unclear, completed an actual return-to-form with “Blue.” The track is paying homage to the boy group’s iconic debut track, “In Bloom,” which is really Zerobaseone, or ZB1 for brief, at their greatest. The one, launched in February, is one which ZB1 will seemingly at all times be remembered for.

The eight-member boy group — about to wrap yet-another banner 12 months as one of many prime skills on the planet of Ok-pop — delivered a late-in-the-year addition with their most up-to-date single, “Do It.” The monitor’s as energetic as all Stray Youngsters songs are, nevertheless, it showcases an nearly mellow facet to the group that listeners haven’t heard not too long ago. The almost three-minute monitor is a welcome car to point out off the group’s vocal skills. “Do It” has an addicting high quality, which is definitely one of many causes followers maintain coming again for one more pay attention.

SM’s rookie woman group launched a gradual stream of songs in 2025 following their debut. However “Type” stays an ideal look into the group’s general potential and expertise. The enjoyable and energetic monitor fills a a lot wanted void within the present woman group sonic panorama. The group’s most up-to-date single, “Focus,” was an in depth second by way of their better of the 12 months, however “Type” showcases the limitless potential for the woman group, and it’s a route that may, and can, take Hearts2Hearts far.

For the powerhouse boy group, “Thunder” is an opportunity to wade into unchartered waters. The 13-member group celebrated their tenth anniversary this 12 months, and is letting this track (and the album it hails from) be the start of the group’s subsequent chapter. It’s seemingly the final title monitor with all 13 members featured for some time, as a number of members of Seventeen have enlisted of their necessary army service and can proceed to, so it earns its personal particular place.

The five-member boy group’s summer time anthem is among the group’s strongest tracks in latest reminiscence. It blends the upbeat power of TXT’s early days with the dreamy pop sound they’ve constructed for themselves in recent times. After their final launch, “Stunning Strangers,” it looks like TXT is on an thrilling new path sonically and artistically, which very properly would possibly result in a giant 2026 for the group.

The six-member woman group is among the most constant on the planet of Ok-pop. STAYC has been releasing energetic and oftentimes bubblegum pop perfection since their 2020 debut and this summer time monitor is a standout of the 12 months. “I Need It” is a superb showcase of the group’s expertise — in case you forgot — and it’s simply plain enjoyable.

The 31-year-old singer’s post-military enlistment return “Grownup Swim” was the breath of recent air 2025 wanted. The pre-release single — on prime of being almost unimaginable to get out of your head — featured energetic choreography that solely Kai, often known as top-of-the-line dancers in Ok-pop, might pull off. The groovy monitor is sort of totally different than the final single he launched previous to his enlistment — a pleasant shock given how properly “Rover” did for the singer — and it was in the end the precise alternative.

Woman group Ifeye was a standout of the 2025 KCON L.A.’s crop of rookies, standing excessive above the remaining with their robust efficiency expertise. The six-member group, from Hello-Hat Leisure, debuted in April and had their first comeback over the summer time, with “R U OK?” serving the title monitor. It’s distinctive, youthful and an ideal addition to this 12 months’s musical choices. If “R U OK?” is any indication, huge issues are in retailer for Ifeye in 2026.

The largest woman group on the planet have been busy creating 4 profitable solo careers, a genuinely spectacular feat that’s not at all simple. Blackpink reunited for “Soar” — the group’s first launch in almost three years — forward of their 2025 Deadline world tour. The dance-pop didn’t disappoint — it clicks on the primary pay attention — and it’s shortly turn out to be a staple within the group’s discography. In the event you discovered your self round Seoul this summer time, “Soar” was unavoidable, taking part in on a loop all through Myeongdong storefronts and past. Because the group seemingly strikes additional right into a solo-first mannequin, full group songs will at all times maintain a particular place within the hearts of followers all over the world.

The 28-year-old singer continues to make a number of the most compelling music in Ok-pop, releasing a slew of refreshing and out-of-the-box tracks within the years since Loona’s finish. Yves’ collaboration with PinkPantheress “Cleaning soap” actually pushed her additional into the worldwide pop scene, however the monitor “White Cat” felt just like the clear standout of the 12 months. It’s so fully Yves — a rarity in music in the intervening time — and is a superb instance of an artist determining what works for them and digging into that area creatively. “White Cat” is really Yves at her greatest.

Very like her fellow former Loona member on this record, Chuu has firmly discovered her place sonically as a soloist. The 26-year-old’s newest single, “Solely cry within the rain,” is a superb second for the singer to stay to the sound she’s discovered for herself, whereas nonetheless providing a softer, extra reflective monitor. The melodic pop monitor is dreamy and exudes nostalgia, to the purpose the place it feels unsuitable to listen to the track exterior of the coming-of-age music video setting. Chuu has the fame of being one of many nicest folks in Ok-pop, however she’s additionally maybe one of the underrated Ok-pop skills by way of the standard and consistency of her solo releases. Right here’s to hoping 2026 brings extra highlight there with the discharge of her first studio album, XO, My Cyberlove, set to be launched subsequent month.

The five-member woman group hailing from Hybe’s Supply Music is continually evolving — an ideal instance is the vary in releases in 2025 from the experimental “Spaghetti” and charming “Sizzling.” It was powerful to even choose their greatest monitor of the 12 months — given how totally different the sounds are — however “Sizzling” proves to be a track that can seemingly outline Le Sserafim’s sound for years to return.

There’s a subset of Ok-pop followers that vocally lengthy for the “outdated days” of woman teams however typically discover themselves solely artists from main labels. Every part these followers would possibly need is totally on the market because of teams like Rescene. The five-member outfit has steadily turn out to be one of the promising artists in all of Ok-pop since their 2024 launch. “Bloom,” their newest single, looks like a throw again to mushy, bubblegum pop of days previous, with a 2025 twist. Rescene’s lengthy overdue for a giant break second, and “Bloom” simply pushes them additional in that route.

When BTS introduced that they might start enlisting within the army and could be releasing solo music all through that interval — in case you’ve been residing beneath a rock, they’re fortunately again — it appeared clear what route every member would take. Nevertheless, J-Hope, who had one of many largest solo discographies earlier than that point, got here out of left subject with a brand new route in his really spectacular 2025 releases. “Killin’ It Woman” is a notch above the remainder of latest solo releases, turning into a real second in Ok-pop in 2025. It’s additionally simply rattling catchy.

For his solo debut, certainly one of NCT’s most respected gamers channeled his internal Justin Timberlake, ensuing within the excellent single, “Crzy.” The 25-year-old’s distinct vocal tone has helped form NCT 127’s and NCT Dream’s discographies for years, nevertheless it was great to see Haechan get the possibility to shine all on his personal. Every part in regards to the launch match the singer properly right down to the styling and choreography.

The Black Label’s first woman group retains climbing greater, every new launch extra thrilling than the final. “Burning Up,” the newest in that string of releases, matches Meovv completely. Every launch has allowed the 5 members of the woman group to carve out their very own area as particular person performers as properly, not a simple process, whereas nonetheless proving they work properly as a unit. Meovv is among the most fun acts at the moment energetic, and it’s extremely seemingly they’ll discover their international profile is one or two releases away from exploding.

When Pledis Leisure’s newest boy group burst onto the scene, Ok-pop followers, and even informal listeners, had been enthralled. Within the almost two years since, TWS has confirmed they posses a endurance that’s turning into extra unusual within the ever rising Ok-pop panorama. “Countdown” feels most paying homage to the sound that propelled them into early success. It’s refreshing and youthful, two phrases that completely describe the six-member boy group.

Together with the four-member band feels controversial solely within the sense that it begs the query — Is Day6 a Ok-pop group? Hailing from Ok-pop large JYP, Day6 stands alone on this record as the one true band. Their profile in Korea has exploded in recent times, for good cause. “Possibly Tomorrow” is a shocking show of expertise, and it’s almost unimaginable to take heed to it simply as soon as. Whether or not or not the band fairly matches the Ok-pop mildew, they’ve greater than earned a spot as top-of-the-line songs of the 12 months.

This record is strictly for singles, and whereas together with “Fairly Boy” is a little bit of a technicality, it wouldn’t be full with out it. The P1Harmony promoted B-side is downright addicting. It’s a fan favourite, accurately. It’s additionally an ideal blueprint for the six-member boy group’s path ahead. Their newest English language launch Ex proves that they took notes on the success of this monitor.

The six-member outfit is among the most profitable Ok-pop teams in latest historical past. They’ve dominated charts in Korea since their debut and stuffed arenas within the U.S. throughout their first tour stateside. “Insurgent Coronary heart” is IVE at their greatest. The pre-release monitor showcases the group’s vocal vary and serves as an ideal instance of why they work so properly as a bunch. It ought to be remembered as a quintessential IVE monitor alongside hits like “Love Dive” and “I Am.”

Rookie boy group Kickflip has proven nice potential, greatest exemplified by their single, “My First Love Track.” Think about if 5 Seconds of Summer time launched a Ok-pop track, that’s the area “My First Love Track” finds itself in. Full with a slew of gang vocals, the track is the right soundtrack for a sunny drive with the home windows down.

Ten years in, and Twice exhibits no indicators of slowing. With the explosion of KPop Demon Hunters, Twice’s 2024 year-end monitor “Technique” noticed a bump in international play, however their follow-up “This Is For” was their greatest track of the 12 months. Becoming with the group’s general vibe, the woman energy anthem is strictly what we wanted this 12 months. Within the phrases of Twice: “That is for all my girls who don’t get hyped sufficient / In the event you’ve been achieved unsuitable, that is your track so flip it up.”

Maybe probably the most underrated group in Ok-pop, JustB stays one of many solely artists within the area to grasp and completely execute the hyperpop style. “Chest” is arms down top-of-the-line songs of 2025, mixing digital beats with the group’s distinctive vocals. The track speaks for itself and will function inspiration for different teams to experiment and check out new genres in a significant approach.

“Being cute doesn’t outline who I’m. There’s much more to me than that,” Illit declares at first of their music video for “Not Cute Anymore.” The five-member woman group has turn out to be recognized for its cutesy and infrequently dreamy pop tracks however “Not Cute Anymore,” each sonically and in idea, stands as a agency declaration that there’s extra to Illit than meets the attention. It’s the right strategy to age up the group’s sound and vibe as they get older, whereas nonetheless feeling like an excellent match for a largely younger group.

BigHit’s newest boy group burst onto the scene with the catchy and thrilling “Go!” The younger group is closely concerned within the creation of their music, which is probably going why it stands out amongst the remaining as feeling authentically youthful. “Go!” was one other cultural second for Ok-pop in 2025, and it’s thrilling to examine the place Cortis will go from right here.

The summer time Ok-pop track of 2025, “Summer time Was You” is close to sonic perfection. The breezy and vibrant H1-Key track ought to be on the playlist of any Ok-pop fan. “Summer time Was You” sounds prefer it was made to be performed through the montage of a summer time film and calls for to be performed at full quantity. H1-Key’s one other underrated gem on the planet of Ok-pop and a launch from them ought to by no means be missed.

Hwasa’s musical evolution as a soloist has proven the world many alternative sides of her, however her latest launch, “Good Goodbye,” is in a league of its personal. A refreshingly weak and trustworthy monitor, the 30-year-old, a co-writer, opened up in regards to the realities of breaking apart with somebody you’re keen on. “Goodbye will damage me, however I’ll let the teardrops fall / Even when I break in remorse, I’ve cherished us in any case / Goodby-y-ye,” she sings on the track. The reside performances of the track, displaying Hwasa in several phases of getting over this misplaced love, solely elevate the track.

Maybe one of the sudden hits of the 12 months, “Physique” is the right instance of an artist figuring out what their sound ought to be and preventing to get it. WSJN’s Dayoung is completely suited to this buzzy and stylish pop monitor; it’s additionally nothing like what most would’ve anticipated her to launch. Seeing a performer really love what they do — and thrive whereas doing it — is thrilling. If this track had been launched even a month earlier, it might’ve arms down been the massive Ok-pop track of the summer time.

As one of the compelling boy teams performing proper now, Boynextdoor has seemingly made it their mission to dip their toes in as many genres as potential. “If I Say, I Love You,” launched in early 2025, is the boy group at its greatest. It understandably turned one of the profitable Ok-pop songs in Korea this 12 months. Boynextdoor stays a bunch to look at.

The KQ Leisure boy group has constructed a profession on reinvention and their first English-language monitor, “In Your Fantasy” isn’t any totally different. The sultry monitor showcases ATEEZ’s skill to seamlessly mix eight distinctive voices collectively. Hongjoong, the group’s captain, has the standout second of the monitor along with his second verse rap, however the track really permits every member of the group to shine — becoming as the one for an album that featured a solo track for every member. ”In Your Fantasy” is the group’s highest charting monitor on the Billboard Sizzling 100 to-date. As at all times, we’ll be ready in suspense to see what the group will do subsequent.

Maybe probably the most dynamic woman group debut of the 12 months, “I Do Me” is pop perfection. KiiiKiii, Starship Leisure’s newest woman group, shock dropped the monitor forward of their official 2025 debut. The etherial nature of the track elevates it to top-of-the-line of the 12 months. “I Do Me” will probably be one which Ok-pop seems to be again on as a definite shift within the sonic panorama for the business.

The Blackpink member’s first studio album was properly definitely worth the wait. The album’s lead monitor, “Like JENNIE” is a reminder of why Jennie has lengthy been Ok-pop’s IT woman. The track’s electrical and admittedly iconic — there are only a few singers that may pull off a refrain of “Who wanna rock with Jennie? / Maintain your hair achieved, nails achieved like Jennie / Who else obtained ’em obsessed like Jennie?” however she actually does.

The legendary boy group’s return was particular for a lot of causes however none greater than the very fact the track, written by late member Jonghyun, serves as a heartfelt tribute to their fellow group member. The track, which will get its identify from Jonghyun’s first studio album, was written and composed by the singer for the group and options vocals from his information monitor. It’s laborious to consider a extra highly effective second this 12 months than listening to his voice on a brand new track in any case these years — a seemingly cathartic launch for the members of SHINee and their longtime followers.

There was no query — “Blue Valentine” was arms down one of the best Ok-pop track of 2025. NMIXX has constructed themselves a various and eclectic discography however “Blue Valentine” finds the right candy spot of synth and guitar to create one-of-a-kind monitor. Unsurprisingly, the track gave the six-member woman group their lengthy overdue second of home success, topping the charts in Korea. There’s nobody in Ok-pop constantly releasing thrilling and genre-bending music like NMIXX. They’re a real beacon of sunshine for the style.