Rookie idols emerge in large numbers every year, and it is very hard to keep up with the most promising ones. Groups and generative AI are now the future of music today. For big fans of BTS and BLACKPINK, it’s time to meet a few rising idols expected to do well in 2025. From RIIZE to aespa’s Naevis, prepare to be blown away by the new talent.
>> Winners of the 39th Golden Disc Awards Announced: SEVENTEEN, aespa and More
RIIZE
The boy band enjoyed instant popularity with their debut single album Get a Guitar in September 2023. After selling one million copies, they started breaking rookie records. They ranked number two in sales for a rookie group. Since then, RIIZE went platinum with RIIZING, RIZZING: Epilogue, and even embarked on their world tour, RIIZING Day. SM Entertainment got it right when they transitioned Sungchan and Shotaro from NCT into RIIZE. The boys hit the music jackpot once again. Eunseok, Wonbin, Sohee, and Anton round out the rest of the band. There is no stopping RIIZE, which is well on their way to an even more successful 2025.
BABYMONSTER
This year looks so bright for BABYMONSTER. Members Ruka, Pharita, Asa, Ahyeon, Rami, Rora, and Chiquita ranked high on the Billboard Hot Trending Songs chart with their 2022 pre-debut single “Dream,” earned millions of YouTube subscribers in months, and even achieved platinum status for their first two albums. After officially debuting in November 2023, the girl group is unstoppable under the YG Entertainment label. Their music videos for their singles like “Sheesh,” “Forever,” and “Drip” have all attracted hundreds of millions of views individually. Fans are sure to have a magical year with BABYMONSTER.
MEOVV
BLACKPINK’s Rosé, BIGBANG Taeyang, and Jeon Somi are just some of the A-list names in music currently signed to The Black Label. MEOVV joined them this year as the first girl group. Music fans expect big things from them in 2025 because they even signed a partnership with Capitol Records pre-debut. Ella, Gawon, Sooin, Anna, and Narin were all revealed to be the MEOVV members in late summer 2024. Their singles “Meow,” “Toxic,” and “Body” continued their debut year. Their first music video, “Meow,” attracted 36 million views.
NCT Wish
Under the popular NCT brand, NCT Wish holds so much promise as a group that they debuted in Japan and South Korea. Members Ryo, Riku, Yushi, Sion, Sakuya, and Jaehee released their debut single “Wish” in February 2024 with J-Pop and K-Pop versions. They even ranked number one on the SBS M program The Show less than a month after debuting. One month prior, the American Grammys listed NCT Wish as one of the rookie groups to know. Fans showed their support by selling out the band’s first fan meeting in April 2024, and NCT Wish returned the love by continuing to release new music throughout the year. They finally released a debut studio album titled Wishful in November 2024. This boy band has already done so much in a short amount of time. With dual releases in J-Pop and K-Pop, SM Entertainment has high expectations for NCT Wish in 2025.
aespa’s Naevis
When aespa debuted in November 2020, their virtual member Naevis made her first music video appearance in “Black Mamba.” The generative AI idol continued to be featured in many more aespa videos until the official solo debut last year. The single “Done” was released, and plans for an EP are scheduled for early this year alongside future appearances on Show! Music Core. Although Naevis has received mixed reactions from aespa fans, you can’t deny AI technology is the present and future. Naevis’s agency SM Entertainment and the MBC television network have high expectations for 2025.
