Top 5 Rookie K-pop Girl Groups
Jenny has been an online writer for over five years. She loves writing novels, poems, and articles about music!
ITZY is one of the best new K-pop groups around.
K-pop Dominates the Music Industry
K-pop boy bands and girl groups are at their peak today. Korean artists are becoming internationally popular, which is why entertainment companies create and launch music groups: they're hoping to dominate the music industry.
These new groups are hoping to shine and follow in the footsteps of some of the biggest K-pop groups of all time, like BTS, Blackpink, EXO, Twice, and Red Velvet. That said, while there are many new K-pop groups emerging, only a few can make the cut.
These new groups need to have charisma, immense talent, great stage presence, and luck to achieve the success that every idol trainee and wannabe has dreamed of. Some of today's rookie groups have shown great potential and are on their way to stardom.
Who are they? Let me introduce you to five of the best and most successful female K-pop rookie groups of today. Soon, they'll be the best of their generation.
Five Amazing K-Pop Groups of the 2020s
- ITZY
- (G)I-dle
- IZ*ONE
- EVERGLOW
- Cherry Bullet
ITZY
1. ITZY
- Debut: February 11, 2019
- Members: Yeji (Hwang Ye-ji), Lia (Choi Jisu), Ryujin (Shin Ryu Jin), Chaeryeong (Lee Chae Ryeong), and Yuna (Shin Yuna)
- Fandom Name: Midzy
- Entertainment Company: JYP Entertainment
- Labels: JYP
ITZY's Music Career
ITZY is a South Korean girl idol group that debuted in early 2019, consisting of four talented young girls (Yeji, Lia, Ryujin, Chaeryeong, and Yuna). Prior to their successful debut, some members of the group have appeared and participated in various talent survival shows.
Yeji competed on The Fan (produced by SBS), Chaeryeong participated in Kpop Star 3 and Sixteen (produced by JYPE), while Ryujin placed first among the girls in the competition on Mix Nine (produced by JTBC). All the girls, except Lia, appeared in the show Stray Kids in 2017.
ITZY debuted under JYP Entertainment, as the company's only new girl group to launch since Twice's debut in 2015. They debuted with their lead single "Dalla Dalla," which introduced them as a fresh and lively hip-hop group with slick and satisfying dance moves.
Hit Singles
| Single | Year |
|---|---|
"Dalla Dalla" | 2019 |
"Icy" | 2019 |
"Wannabe" | 2020 |
"Not Shy" | 2020 |
"In the Morning" | 2021 |
"Sneakers" | 2022 |
ITZY
ITZY's Accomplishments
- Just nine days after their debut, ITZY had their first win on M Countdown, making them the fastest K-pop girl group to achieve their first number one music show win.
- "Dalla Dalla" holds the record for the fastest K-pop debut music video to reach 100 million views and also ranked second place on 2019 YouTube's Most Popular Music Video in South Korea.
- "Dalla Dalla" also became the most-viewed debut video by a K-pop group with 17.1 million views in 24 hours.
- ITZY held a showcase tour in the United States in 2020, with interviews from American shows including BUILD, Young Hollywood, and Good Day New York.
ITZY Links
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(G)I-dle
2. (G)I-dle
- Debut: May 2, 2018
- Members: Miyeon (Cho Mi-yeon), Minnie (Nicha Yontararak), Soojin (Seo Soo-jin), Soyeon (Jeon So-yeon), Yuqi (Song Yuqi), and Shuhua (Yeh Shu Hua)
- Fandom Name: Neverland
- Entertainment Company: Cube Entertainment
- Labels: Cube, Universal Japan, Asian Agent
(G)I-dle's Music Career
(G)I-dle, known locally as Yeoja Aideul (Girl Idol), is a six-member K-pop girl group that debuted in mid-2018. It consists of members from South Korea (Soyeon, Miyeon, and Soojin), China (Yuqi), Taiwan (Shuhua), and Thailand (Minnie).
Previously, some of the members were from other entertainment companies. Miyeon was a YG Entertainment trainee for five years, while Soojin was a former DN Entertainment trainee. Soyeon was the first member of the group and represented Cube Entertainment in the talent survival show Produce 101 and in the rap competition show Unpretty Rapstar 3. She also released solo digital singles before the group's debut.
(G)I-dle is known as a unique group with a distinct style and presence. They are not afraid to try different sounds and techniques. Headed by Soyeon, they write and produce their own songs. This gives them an edge, making them distinct among other k-pop girl groups.
Hit Singles
| Songs | Release |
|---|---|
"Hann (Alone)" | 2018 |
"Senorita" | 2019 |
"Lion" | 2019 |
"Oh My God" | 2020 |
"Dumdi Dumdi" | 2020 |
"Hwaa" | 2021 |
"Tomboy" | 2022 |
G-IDLE
(G)I-dle's Accomplishments
- "Rookie of the Year (Music)" from Asia Artist Awards 2018
- "New Artist of the Year (Digital)" from Gaon Chart Music Awards 2019
- "Best New Artist" from Korea Popular Music Awards 2018
- City's goodwill ambassadors by Seoul Metropolitan City
- The new ambassador for the Korean Children's Diabetes Association on the 10th annual Children's Diabetes Celebration Festival.
(G)I-dle Links
IZ*ONE
3. IZ*ONE
- Debut: October 29, 2018
- Members: Jang Won-young, Sakura Miyawaki, Jo Yu-ri, Choi Ye-na, An Yu-jin, Nako Yabuki, Kwon Eun-bi, Kang Hye-won, Hitomi Honda, Kim Chae-won, Kim Min-ju, and Lee Chae-yeon
- Fandom Name: WIZ*ONE
- Entertainment Company: Off the Record Entertainment, Swing Entertainment
- Record Labels: Stone Music, AKS, Off The Record, Swing, EMI
IZ*ONE's Music Career
IZ*ONE was formed through Mnet's reality competition show Produce 48. It was a talent survival show and a collaboration between the Korean Produce 101 franchise and the Japanese idol group AKB48. Out of the initial 96 contestants, the final top twelve girls were the ones chosen to be part of the new South Korean-Japanese group.
The final lineup consisted of nine South Korean members (Eunbi, Hyewon, Yena, Chaeyeon, Chaewon, Minju, Yuri, Yujin, and Wonyoung) and three Japanese members (Sakura and Nako of HKT48, and Hitomi of AKB48 Team 8). The group exudes charm, cuteness, and innocence.
In early 2020, IZ*ONE's management resumed the group's activities by releasing their first studio album, Bloom*Iz, and its lead single, "Fiesta." By the end of the year, an album was also released in Japan and a pair of EPs followed in Korea.
Unfortunately, the group played their final concerts on March 13-14, 2021, and their contract expired that April, officially disbanding the group.
Hit Singles
| Songs | Release |
|---|---|
"La Vie en Rose" | 2018 |
"Suki to Iwasetai" | 2019 (Japan) |
"Buenos Aires" | 2019 (Japan) |
"Vampire" | 2019 (Japan) |
"Violeta" | 2019 |
"Fiesta" | 2020 |
"Secret Story of the Swan" | 2020 |
IZ*ONE
IZ*ONE's Accomplishments
- "New Artist of the Year" from Golden Disc Awards 2019 and Seoul Music Awards
- "Rookie of the Year" from Artist Asian Awards 2018 and Golden Disc Awards 2019
- "New Artist of the Year (Asia)" from Japan Gold Disc Awards 2020
- "Rookie Top 5" from V Live Awards 2019
IZ*ONE Links
EVERGLOW
4. EVERGLOW
- Debut: March 18, 2019
- Members: E:U (Park Jiwon), Sihyeon (Kim Si-hyeon), Mia (Han Eunji), Onda (Jo Serim), Aisha (Heo Yoorim), and Yiren (Wang Yiren)
- Fandom Name: Forever
- Entertainment Company: Yuehua Entertainment
- Record Labels: Yuehua
EVERGLOW's Music Career
EVERGLOW is another multinational girl-group based in South Korea. They have five members from South Korea (E:U, Sihyeon, Mia, Onda, and Aisha) and one from China (Yiren). Before their formation, some of the members appeared and competed in some of the biggest talent survival shows like Produce 101, Produce 48, and Idol School.
They debuted on March 18, 2019, with the single album Arrival of Everglow. They have a fresh girl crush vibe that many like. The group received commercial success and first music program broadcast award on The Show.
Hit Singles
| Songs | Release |
|---|---|
"Bon Bon Chocolat" | 2019 |
"Adios" | 2019 |
"Dun Dun" | 2020 |
"La Di Da" | 2020 |
"First" | 2021 |
"Pirate" | 2021 |
EVERGLOW
EVERGLOW's Accomplishments
- Everglow: Everlasting Tour in USA (2020)
- Nominated for 13 awards since their debut
- "Bon Bon Chocolat" peaked at number five on the World Digital Song Sales Chart
EVERGLOW Links
Cherry Bullet
5. Cherry Bullet
- Debut: January 21, 2019
- Members: Haeyoon (Park Hae-Yoon), Yuju (Choi Yu-ju), Bora (Kim Bo-ra), Jiwon (Heo Ji-Won), Remi (Katsuno Rise), Chaerin (Park Chae-rin), May (Hirokawa Mao); Past Members: Mirae (Kim Kyungjoo), Kokoro (Kato Kokoro), Linlin (Huang Ziting)
- Fandom Name: Lullet
- Entertainment Company: FNC Entertainment
- Labels: FNC
Cherry Bullet's Music Career
Cherry Bullet started out as a ten-member multinational girl-group under FNC Entertainment, debuting in early 2019. The group included six members from South Korean (Jiwon, Haeyoon, Yuju, Bora, Chaerin, and Mirae), three from Japan (May, Kokoro, and Remi), and one from Taiwan (Linlin).
Some of the group's members were active on talent shows before their debut. Haeyoon was a participant on Produce 48, taking the 19th spot (but she didn't make it as a part of IZ*ONE). Jiwon was a part of SBS's K-pop Star and trained under Starship Entertainment. Remi was an Avex Proworks trainee in Japan and appeared on Pretty Rhythm: Dear My Future, later joining the group Prism Mates.
Unfortunately, three of the members (Mirae, Kokoro, and Linlin) terminated their contracts and parted ways with the group at the end of 2019. Cherry Bullet is now a seven-member group.
Hit Singles
| Songs | Release |
|---|---|
"Q&A" | 2019 |
"Hands Up" | 2020 |
"Love So Sweet" | 2021 |
"Love in Space" | 2022 |
Cherry Bullet
Cherry Bullet's Accomplishments
- Nominated for 14 awards since their debut, including 2019 Artist of the Year (Mnet Asian Music Awards), Best New Artist Award (Melon Music Awards), and The Female New Artist (Genie Music Awards).
Cherry Bullet Links
Who Is the Best Rookie Group?
© 2020 ThatWallflowerJen
Do you know other rookie groups that deserve to be on the list? Let us know in the comments.
Yuna Yeji on September 08, 2020:
ITZY
Midzy on September 02, 2020:
Itzy!!!!!
ThatWallflowerJen (author) from PH on August 27, 2020:
Hi. blackpink is not on this article because this list is only for the best rookie groups of 2020. BP debuted in 2016 so every group in this list is already BP's hoobaes.
Terrica on August 26, 2020:
Even tho blackpink not on her g-idle is good
BLACKPINK FANGIRL on August 22, 2020:
Itzy is the best rookie group for me.
I Love you Yuna,Yeji,and Ryujin!
Alea Blink on August 12, 2020:
The rookie groups are amzing! But their seniors are also killing it, like (G)- Idle, Blackpink, Twice, Red Velvet, and many more iconic senior groups!
Real blink!! on July 31, 2020:
Blackpink forever
I'm a blink
But I'm sad because blackpink is not a rookie anymore
Neverland on June 23, 2020:
For me gidle is THE best ..always ...gidle really really deserves all d recognition..they themmselves write n compose theie own songs..not doing d same boring cand cute concepts but always try diff n amazing concepts..im proud to b an armyland..pls support suchh talent
ThatWallflowerJen (author) from PH on April 27, 2020:
Blackpink?Blink! - Itzy is definitely on a different level. I'm also looking forward to YG's new g-group. I hope they'd be as cool as their seniors.
Blackpink?Blink! on April 26, 2020:
I think Itzy is the best new Rookie Groups bcz they got many awards since their debut.I can't to wait YG New Girl Group I hope They will success like their sunbaenim Blackpink
KPOP on April 05, 2020:
EVERGLOW AND ITZY R MY FAVE ROOKIE GIRL GROUPS
ThatWallflowerJen (author) from PH on April 02, 2020:
Thank you so much for reading, Ivana.
Ivana Divac from Serbia on March 22, 2020:
A very well-written and informative hub. Thank you for sharing!
