5 K-POP Artists To Watch in 2025
It’s a new year and the global phenomenon of Korean pop has no intention of slowing down.
K-pop has seen widely increasing popularity with Western audiences in recent years, with so much as mere speculation of debuts or comebacks being plenty to excite fans worldwide. Whether you are eagerly awaiting the final five BTS members to complete their military service this year or just discovering the genre, there’s a plethora of talent in the industry that will have you searching for tickets to a concert. Here are five groups on the rise to keep your eyes on in 2025.
ZEROBASEONE
Debuting under WAKEONE in 2023, ZEROBASEONE is a nine-member multinational boy group. The group features a vocal-forward lineup and captivating visuals amplified by velvety smooth live performances and well-produced music videos. They’ve cemented their place in the industry by becoming the first K-pop group to have their first two releases with more than one million copies sold in their debut year. In just two years, they have released four mini-albums and were met with tremendous support from fans.
The pre-release single for their new project, Doctor! Doctor!, was released on 20 January and features sultry vocals under an R&B-inspired track, the recipe for a record after my heart. With their fifth mini-album to be released on 24 February 2025, don’t wait any longer to become a ZEROSE.
ARTMS
Formed by Modhous, ARTMS is a girl group composed of five members from LOONA. Their formation came after the 12 members of LOONA left BlockBerryCreative and split into various companies and groups. They debuted in mid-2024 with their first album, <Dall>, a dance-pop project speaking on the ups and downs we experience in life and love. The album has been praised for music engineering unlike any other group, featuring immersive soundscapes, magical synths, and otherworldly harmonies.
With dreamy vocals and an interstellar concept, their music will leave you feeling like you’ve transcended dimensions. Following the announcement of their new world tour, Lunar Theory, earlier this month, a comeback is sure to be on the horizon and you’ll want to see what they do next.
I:mond
I:mond is a four-member girl group that debuted in 2024. Although they were formed and debuted under Be The Max Entertainment, they have since left the company to become an independent group. Their first single, Slippery, created a strong starting point for their career with a rap-forward track over a punchy drum beat and groovy bass line.
They announced their first mini-album, Under My, which will be released on Valentine’s Day, 14 February. The entire project is self-produced, which makes it even more exciting to anticipate. If you’re looking for a smaller artist to support with enormous potential, I:mond’s journey this year is for you.
izna
Formed through a survival show, izna is a seven-member girl group relatively new to the K-pop scene. They officially debuted under WAKEONE at the end of November last year with the release of their EP, N/a, and a performance at the 2024 MAMA Awards. Featuring a fresh, youthful sound with a twinge of R&B influence and nostalgia, fans predict they could become a strong contender in leading the fifth generation of K-pop. If you enjoy striking visuals, ethereal vocals, and catchy lyrics, this group is definitely one to watch this year.
KickFlip
Finally, the newest artists in this list are the seven-member boy group KickFlip. They debuted under JYP Entertainment on 20 January 2025 with the mini album Flip It, Kick It!. Their sound emits a bouncy, playful vibe full of the sensation of the recklessly rebellious nature of being young. K-pop fans online have shared that these free-spirited melodies and vocals remind them of early GOT7, another group that debuted in 2014. With most of the songs featuring writing credits from the members themselves, it is clear to see that talent is not something that this group lacks. We look forward to seeing how KickFlip develops and reaches new heights as the year progresses.
