THE Registration AcademyKnown globally for representing the best of the music industry, it has once again highlighted rookie K-Pop groups poised to make it big in the coming year. This annual tradition offers music fans a glimpse into the future of K-Pop. Here are the eight highlighted groups for 2025:
QWER
Emerging in late 2023, QWER quickly attracted attention with their pop-rock style, infused with J-pop influences. The four members are not only singers but also skilled musicians, giving the group a unique edge. Their debut EP, Manitowith the hit song “TBH (Thinking About You),” they cemented their place as the Academy’s group to watch.
Vibrant and full of energy, their music found its peak with “TBH (고민중독)”, the lead single from their debut EP, Manito. The song became a hit on the South Korean music charts and remained consistently in the top positions throughout the year, sparking excitement for what is yet to come.
— Recording Academy
ARTS
Born to ex LONDON reinvention of members, ARTMS consists of JinSoul, HaSeoul, Kim Lip, HeeJinAND Cheerry. Now below ModHaustheir first album, FROMand its lead single, “Virtual Angel,” showcase their evolution and renewed energy. GRAMMY organizers praised the “overflowing talent” of members filled with excitement for what comes next.
The members of ARTMS may not necessarily be rookies on paper, but their reinvention will allow audiences to see them through a new lens again.
— The Recording Academy
NEXZ
This transnational boy group debuted during the second season of Project Nizi. With members from Japan and Korea, NEXZ offers a global perspective. According to the Recording Academy, it is the group’s musical catalog, which blends Korean and Japanese elements, that makes them a rising star in both markets.
NEXZ has consistently found their footing by bending boundaries, making them a group not to be overlooked.
— The Recording Academy
RESCENA
Debuting last spring, RESCENE is now known for creating dreamy, long-lasting melodies. Tracks like “UhUh” and “Love Attack” from their EP Scenedrome highlight their talent for unforgettable refrains that the Academy seems fascinated by.
It was “Love Attack,” the lead track from the group’s first EP Scenedromewhich sealed the deal with a memorable and breathtaking instrumental chorus.
RESCENE has what it takes to reach new heights, so there’s still time to join their journey before we get left behind.
— The Recording Academy
MEOVV
The Black Label’s first girl group, MEOVV, debuted with the single “Meow” in September. Tracks like “BODY” and “Toxic” earned them recognition at the 2025 MAMA Awards, where they won Favorite Rising Artist, an achievement not overlooked by the Recording Academy.
Now that their talent is fully on display, all eyes are on what comes next, where expectations have shifted to them delivering a larger musical project.
— The Recording Academy
SAY MY NAME
Known for their uplifting sound, SAY MY NAME, led by former IZ*ONE member Hitomi Honda – launched their debut EP featuring WaveWay. The Academy says members’ survival show backgrounds can bring experience and charisma to their performances.
SAY MY NAME ) has a distinctive energy that translates into a shimmering sound, and watching them perform feels like a dose of pure serotonin.
— The Recording Academy
Start
Size through I-LAND 2: N/aizna debuted in late 2024 with their mini-album N/a. The Recording Academy highlighted tracks like “IZNA” and “TIMEBOMB” that showcase their powerful performances and promise great things for the future.
B-side track “TIMEBOMB” ends with an electrifying promise: “I’m ready to drive you crazy / The moment I’ve been waiting for is now.” These lines could very well be taken as a premonition because the izna are ready for great things ahead.
— The Recording Academy
KickFlip
After years of waiting, JYP Entertainment’s KickFlip will debut in early 2025. Formed by the survival show STRONGthe group has already created buzz with diary-style teasers. GRAMMY organizers seem excited to finally hear what the group’s sound will represent once their album is released.
As of this writing, the septet has yet to release music, but they are posting weekly journal entries sharing their thoughts on their upcoming debut.
— The Recording Academy
JYP Entertainment’s new boy group, #KICKFLIPwill debut on January 20th, with a pre-release single, “Umm Great”, due out on January 6th. pic.twitter.com/L8ATSLz8qg
— Pop Core (@TheePopCore) January 5, 2025
