K-Popis a fast-moving genre. One week there won’t be much happening, then the next will include nearly everyone you know releasing music at the same time. With so many boy groups, girl groups, soloists, bands, and other subunits constantly debuting and releasing new music, it’s difficult to keep up unless you’re used to the industry’s rapid pace.
The first quarter of 2025 has introduced us to plenty of new groups, solo debuts, and dazzling comebacks from some of our favorite groups. In such a short span of time, I collected enough new music to fill about five of these lists, but I’ve narrowed them down to the 10 that stood out to me the most.These are songs that deserve more recognition, provide something refreshing to the vast world of K-Pop, and should be on everyone’s playlists as the year goes on, whether you’re aK-Pop beginneror expert.
10+ 82 Pressin'
MARK ft. HAECHAN
Mark Lee of NCT is a force to be reckoned with on the third single from his forthcoming debut solo albumThe Firstfruit. He teams up with partner in crime, Haechan, and the duo push their way through a hip-hop track that feels completely fit for two of the most prominent members of SM’s experimental boy group.
The beat is nasty, their voices bounce perfectly off one another, and Lee taps into some kind of Justin Bieber magic when he sings for about two seconds in every other chorus.
Accompanied by a film-noir-inspired music video that sees the pair sneaking their way through the city as gun-slinging vigilantes, “+81 Pressin'” isa boastful track deserving of a spot on Lee’s debut album that is long overdue.The beat is nasty, their voices bounce perfectly off one another, and Lee taps into some kind of Justin Bieber magic when he sings for about two seconds in every other chorus. I’m looking forward to seeing what he can do on a full-length album after only getting a handful of singles from him over the years.
9FLU
IVE
IVE is a girl group that is used to releasing gorgeous songs that fit into their elegant, girly concepts. Their discography is full of atmospheric instrumentals, heavenly harmonies, and clever samples, including the title track from their third EP,IVE EMPATHY.While “ATTITUDE” is a great song that never fails to get me moving when I should be focusing on something more important,it was the b-sides that instantly caught my attention.
“FLU” is a dizzying track that compares a budding romance or serious crush to catching a bad flu. You feel the symptoms physically and mentally, both of which mess with your head and sometimes make you unsure of what is up or down. The members of IVE have some of the prettiest vocal tones, all of which shine so brightly in this song on their own and in their collective choruses. Overall, this album strays away from their typically over-the-top sound to lean into a more down-to-earth style that suits them just as well as every other concept they adopt.
8CRASH
RESCENE
RESCENE are a newer girl group who I pray every day will not fall through the cracks of the overwhelming fifth generation roster, which followsK-Pop’s fourth generation.Their small discography is already impressive, and the five songs on their second mini-album are no different. OnGlow Up, they adopt a wonderfully whimsical sound that fits their vocal styles very well.
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“CRASH” is easily my favorite b-side on the album. It’s the first song, just before the gorgeous title track, making it an immediate hook for listeners. “CRASH” pulls listeners into their world with grace, inviting them in and encouraging them to stay awhile. It takes a more subtle approach than the title track with how the tracks build, but every song on this mini-album is a breath of fresh air in an industry filled with overpowering instrumentals that run the risk of hiding their artists' voices. Do yourself a favor and giveGlow Upa listen.
7IKUK
ONEUS
You might be starting to realize that this list is pretty stacked withunderrated K-Pop groups, and maybe with songs you haven’t heard. A boy group which I feel has always been massively underrated is ONEUS. Their distinct vocal tones and powerful performance style have earned them a dedicated fan base as well as spots on 2020’sRoad to Kingdomand 2024’sRoad to Kingdom: Ace of Aceand multiple world tours.Despite the attention that they’ve received over the years, their music still doesn’t get the credit it deserves.
“IKUK” is the title track from their first special albumDear. M,and it starts the album off with a bang. This song was made to be performed on a stage with individual spotlights raining down over each member and satisfying lighting cues from start to finish. The production feels crisp, highlighting each of their voices and blending them perfectly with its shimmering instrumental. Combined with the choreography, ONEUS urges listeners and viewers alike to fall for them.
6HER
MINNIE
With all the K-Pop idols who have already debuted as soloists outside their groups, it’s difficult for me to get excited about new solo prospects. The ones we’ve already seen have either been the best of the best or fairly forgettable, making any new solo debuts a quick hit or miss. When I heard that MINNIE of (G)I-DLE was debuting as a soloist with her first mini-album, I was curious to see which direction she would go in, but wasn’t constantly bouncing on my feet in anticipation.
‘HER’ is a title track that could easily chart in the US for any of the current pop princesses.
That being said, I’m mature enough to admit when I’m wrong, especially when it comes to music.“HER” is a title track that could easily chart in the US for any of the current pop princesses, with MINNIE’s iconic vocal tone backed by a heavy bass instrumental that immediately reminded me of “bad guy” by Billie Eilish.She looks like royalty in the music video, which only serves to make her voice sound even more expensive. The mini-album as a whole is a great debut, taking her voice and artistic presence in a direction I didn’t expect.
5Doctor! Doctor!
ZEROBASEONE
When I gave “Doctor! Doctor!” by ZEROBASEONE a spontaneous first listen on the couch one night, I couldn’t have told you that it would become the first and last song I listened to every day for at least a month.I have a complicated relationship with this group’s music. Their debut, “In Bloom,” was a perfect boy group song despite its silly choreography, but the only other song I’ve added to my regular rotation since then was “SWEAT,” about a year after their debut.
“Doctor! Doctor!” was the pre-release single from the group’s fifth mini-album, and, after that first listen, I was hooked. I sent the song to everyone I knew who listened to K-Pop, added it to as many playlists as possible, and wondered what happened to make this group put out such a great song that appealed to me so much. Something about the melody of that chorus is ridiculously addictive, and the rap verses add just enough flare to make me finally appreciate Matthew and Gunwook as rappers. Dreams really do come true.
4HOT
LE SSERAFIM
LE SSERAFIM are another group I’ve flip-flopped with from one release to another. The clear identity they had from their debut through their first couple of comebacks got a bit muddled, but, after hearing how incredible “HOT” was,it feels like some of that original magic is back.I’ve seen mixed reactions to this comeback, but I can’t see past that perfect chorus to even entertain another opinion. Maybe this song found me at the right place at the right time, but it’s the first of what I expect to be many summer-themed tracks coming in the next several months.
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Kazuha, a member who sometimes fades to the background behind the group’s more prominent vocalists, sounds gorgeous in her opening lines, and Yunjin’s belting during the last chorus is enough to give someone goosebumps. It’s not a perfect song; for one, it could be a bit longer, but that’s just something I’ve come to expect from LE SSERAFIM songs (and HYBE in general, it seems). It’s not perfect, yet I keep coming back for more.
3ExtraL
JENNIE ft. Doechii
The world of K-Pop soloists features a large group of powerfully talented women who command the stage and break through the fragile boxes they’re placed in. JENNIE of the globally-successful BLACKPINK is one such woman. During a period where everyBLACKPINK member released their first post-YG solo projects, it’s hard to ignore the quartet’s obvious expertise in the music industry. JENNIE’s run of singles for her debut albumRubymade it difficult to choose just one. Eventually, I landed on “ExtraL,” a gritty track featuring Doechii, another woman on the rise in her own right.
Said, “F*** your rules,” is the mood, damn right
Walk in a room and I set the vibe
Get a pic, it’ll last you long
Whole team, they gassin' on us
You sit too far down on ‘em charts to even ask me who’s in charge
No matter how much more common it is today, I couldn’t help but be shocked by some of the lines JENNIE so effortlessly delivered in this song. She commands the listener’s attention from the chanting in the introduction to the way her vocals flow so cleanly through the pre-chorus, where she states that her haters are too far down on the music charts to ask her who’s in charge. (Obviously she’s the one in charge, are you seeing her?)What a statement for one of K-Pop’s finest idols to make on her debut album alongside another top tier rapper.
2High Horse
NMIXX
The career trajectory that NMIXX have had over the past few years since their explosive and divisive debut in 2022 has been one of the most unique journeys I’ve witnessed.They burst onto the scene with “O.O,” one of the more experimental girl group songs of the 4th generation.This song and their next few releases presented a unique structure that featured a “change up” that the group is now known for, where the song diverges into an almost entirely different energy.
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“High Horse,” the pre-release track from their third mini-album, is unlike anything they’ve put out before. It begins with a dramatic piano introduction, which then turns into a Fiona Apple-esque instrumental where the piano plays over the backing beat throughout the entire song. Additionally, the vocals are otherworldly, with each member sounding better than they ever have. The build up to each chorus and the breakdown that comes in at the end are so unique for a genre that sometimes finds a certain trend and sticks to it.NMIXX continues to be one of the most exciting groups in K-Pop.
1& Heart
ONE PACT
It’s likely that, of all the songs on this list, “& Heart” is one you’ve never heard before. Created as a tribute to their fans, ONE PACT’s “& Heart” is the K-Pop/R&B fusion of my dreams. I’d heard of the group before, but only decided to give their third mini-album,PINK CRUSH, a listen because I liked what I heard in the music video for “100!,” the title track.For a mini-album released on Valentine’s Day, it couldn’t be more obviously filled with passion and love for what they do.
Songs like “& Heart” by groups I’m not familiar with don’t find me very often. When they do, I find myself reminded of how important it is to seek out music by smaller artists.
As I mentioned, “& Heart” was written as a fan song, something very common in K-Pop. Every group has a song dedicated to their fans, but this one feels more like a sincere romantic confession than anything.Like every other song on this mini-album, and possibly their entire discography, it’s produced by one of the members, TAG.It’s also co-written by every member of the group. That combination alone is enough for me to invest in this group, and if you take away anything from this article, it should be to give this song a chance.
Songs like “& Heart” by groups I’m not familiar with don’t find me very often. When they do, I find myself reminded of how important it is to seek out music by smaller artists. ONE PACT has just over 150,000 monthly Spotify listeners, which feels like some sort of crime. For that reason, I need everyone reading this to click the play button above and then run to your favorite streaming platform to give it another listen.
