As the global wave of K-pop continues to expand, 2025 is emerging as a landmark year for new talent. A fresh generation of idol groups is taking center stage, backed by some of the industry’s most influential entertainment companies. These rookies are not only bringing innovative music and visuals, but also rich concepts and meaningful messages that resonate across borders. Here’s a closer look at the new K-pop groups who made their debut this year, and why they’re poised to shape the future of the genre.
1. KickFlip
KickFlip is JYP Entertainment’s latest boy group, formed through the SBS reality survival show ‘LOUD’. The group name, drawn from the iconic skateboarding trick, symbolizes a commitment to bold, unconventional artistry and thrilling performances. The seven members—Kyehoon, Amaru, Donghwa, Juwang, Minje, Keiju, and Donghyeon—made their debut on January 20, 2025, with the extended play ‘Flip It, Kick It!’. The EP, which includes six dynamic tracks, features the powerful title song ‘Mama Said’ and the standout single ‘Umm Great’, immediately setting the tone for KickFlip’s high-energy, genre-defying identity.
Check out the MV of ‘Mama Said’ here:
2. Hearts2Hearts
Hearts2Hearts (also known as H2H) is SM Entertainment’s newest eight-member girl group, designed “to connect deeply with global fans through a mysterious musical world filled with various emotions and heartfelt messages, and move forward together as a greater ‘us’.” With a name that represents heartfelt communication and shared journeys, Jiwoo, Carmen, Yuha, Stella, Juun, A-na, Ian, and Ye-on debuted on February 24, 2025. Their debut single album ‘The Chase’, led by the track of the same name, introduces a mysterious yet relatable sound, perfectly aligning with the group’s conceptual focus on emotional depth and connection.
Check out the MV of ‘The Chase’ here:
3. KiiiKiii
KiiiKiii, a five-member girl group from STARSHIP Entertainment, debuted on March 24, 2025, with their vibrant extended play ‘Uncut Gem’. The group’s name cleverly plays on the Korean onomatopoeia “kiki” (representing cheerful giggles) and the English word “key,” symbolizing the members’ mission to unlock life’s answers while spreading joy. Leesol, Sui, Haum, Jiyu, and Kya bring a mix of charm and confidence, delivering a debut project that feels both lighthearted and reflective—an unpolished gem brimming with potential.
Check out the MV of ‘Uncut Gem’s’ title track, ‘BTG’, here:
4. NEWBEAT
NEWBEAT (NBT) is the latest boy group to emerge from BEAT INTERACTIVE, bringing with them a fresh sonic identity that challenges traditional K-pop norms. Their name conveys innovation and rhythm, embodying the spirit of a new musical movement. On March 24, 2025, Park Minseok, Hong Minsung, Jeon Yeoyeojeong, Choi Seohyun, Kim Taeyang, Jo Yunhu, and Kim Riwoo made their debut with the full-length album ‘RAW AND RAD’, a gritty yet polished project that positions the group as both daring and versatile.
Check out the MV of ‘RAW AND RAD’s’ title track, ‘Flip the Coin’, here:
5. CLOSE YOUR EYES
CLOSE YOUR EYES, a boy group under uncore, was formed through JTBC’s survival program ‘PROJECT 7’. Their name expresses a vision of music that transcends visuals, inviting listeners to experience emotion purely through sound. Debuting on April 2, 2025, with their first extended play ‘ETERNALT’, the seven members—Jeon Minwook, Ma Jingxiang, Jang Yeojun, Kim Sungmin, Song Seungho, Sakurada Kenshin, and Seo Kyoungbae—unveil an atmospheric and poetic debut, establishing themselves as storytellers as much as performers.
Check out the MV of ‘All My Poetry’, the title track of ‘ETERNALT’ here:
6. XLOV
XLOV, a four-member boy group under 257 Entertainment, made their debut on January 7, 2025, with the single album ‘I’mma Be’. Comprising members Wumuti, Rui, Hyun, and Haru, XLOV blends style and concept with a bold approach, embracing a genderless identity in styling and performance that challenges boundaries. The group name combines “X”—representing the unknown—and “lov,” referring to incomplete love, offering a unique thematic foundation centered around emotion, identity, and transformation.
Check out the MV of ‘I’mma Be’ here:
These 2025 debuts reflect a growing shift in the K-pop industry, one that values conceptual depth, genre fusion, and emotional resonance just as much as high-caliber performance and production. Whether it’s through edgy sounds, heartfelt messages, or visionary aesthetics, these rising stars are redefining what it means to be a K-pop artist today. Fans around the globe are already tuning in, and it’s clear: the next generation has arrived.
Written by: Aanchal Pathak
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