K-Pop Idols to Watch Other Than BTS and Blackpink

Since their 2022 debut, the 5-member girl group – consisting of Minji, Danielle, Hani, Haerin, and Hyein – has only steadily risen in popularity with each release. With hits like Super Shy, Hype Boy, and Attention, NewJeans took the K-Pop world by storm in record time. NewJeans’ combination of girl next door appeal, Y2K-inspired aesthetics and up-tempo bubblegum pop music completely upends the fierce concept trending among other K-Pop girl groups, easily making them stand out. Nowadays, their fans call themselves Bunnies, inspired by their debut EP’s art.

Despite being called Seventeen, this boy group has 13 members: S. Coups, Jeonghan, Joshua, Jun, Hoshi, Wonwoo, Woozi, DK, Mingyu, The8, Seungkwan, Vernon and Dino. Since debuting in 2015, the group has experienced a rollercoaster of popularity but they’re now firmly at the top of their game, racking awards left and right with hits like Super, Home, and Hot. Their official fanclub is called Carat, recognizable through their diamond-shaped lightsticks at concerts.

Known for their cute girlish image, Twice has been dazzling the K-Pop world since 2015. The 9-member girl group consists of Nayeon, Jeongyeon, Momo, Sana, Jihyo, Mina, Dahyun, Chaeyoung, and Tzuyu. With their colorful aesthetics, endlessly catchy lyrics and adorable dance moves, Twice has had a phenomenal run both domestically and internationally. The group recently concluded a world tour that included a history-making stops at SoFi Stadium and MetLife Stadium, the first female K-Pop group to do so. Their official fanclub calls themselves Once.

Hailing from Hybe – the same entertainment company behind BTS – Le Sserafim had garnered lots of anticipation even before their official debut in 2022. Prior to their debut, there was a significant controversy regarding one (now ex) member Kim Garam, who was accused of school bullying. She left and now, the group comprises five members: Sakura, Kim Chae-won, Huh Yun-jin, Kazuha, and Hong Eun-chae. And they did not disappoint, with their badass girl crush concept, Le Sserafim truly gives the world something to look at. In such a short time, they rock the charts with hits like Eve, Psyche & The Bluebeard’s Wife, ANTIFRAGILE, and Fearless

Fun fact: the group’s name is anagram for I’m fearless.

Formed in 2018 through a reality competition, Stray Kids consists of eight members: Bang Chan, Lee Know, Changbin, Hyunjin, Han, Felix, Seungmin, and I.N. With their slick choreography and energetic music, Stray Kids immediately found huge followings at home and abroad. The group released hits like S-Class, God’s Menu, MANIAC and many more. Their fandom name is called STAY.

The musician duo of siblings Lee Chan-hyuk and Lee Su-hyun debuted under YG Entertainment in 2014. With their peppy love songs and exceptional musicality, AKMU – short for Akdong Musician – immediately garnered tons of mainstream popularity. Being a purely singing-only duo with no dance choreography, their success is all the more impressive. Among their most loved tracks are Give Love, 200%, and Love Lee.

Undeniably the group with the most members on this list, NCT is a 26-member boy group divided into six different sub-units: NCT U, NCT 127, NCT Dream, WayV, NCT DoJaeJung, and NCT New Team. Their members consist of international cadres hailing anywhere from Japan, Thailand, to China. Among some of the most recognizable names in the group: Jaehyun, Taeyong, Mark Lee, and Haechan. With their experimental hip hop, R&B, and electropop-flavored sound, the group rules the charts and charms a legion of fans who call themselves NCTzens.

The four-member girl group is made up of Karina, Giselle, Winter, and Ningning. With their metaverse concept and hyperpop music, the SM Entertainment group successfully broke through the ranks with their 2020 debut. With chart-topping singles like Next Level, Black Mamba, and Savage, aespa quickly establishes themselves as one of the leading idol groups of their generation.

With six members – Gaeul, Yujin, Rei, Wonyoung, Liz, and Leeseo – IVE showcased a fresh, innocent charm in their 2021 debut. Thanks to their ethereal visuals, easy listening beats and catchy lyrics exploring self love, IVE managed to be one of the rare groups from outside of the big 4 companies – JYP, SM, Hybe, and YG – to hit it big. With chart toppers like I AM, After Like, and LOVE DIVE, the group continues winning new fans all over the world.

Alongside IVE, they’re the only two groups on this list that don’t belong in the big 4 idol companies in Korea, making their achievements all the more remarkable. The group has five members: Miyeon, Minnie, Soyeon, Yuqi and Shuhua. A sixth member, Yujin, left in 2021. Since their 2018 launch, (G)I-dle has dazzled with hits like Queencard, Nxde, and TOMBOY. Their signature spicy and provocative image sets them apart from other recent idol groups.