10 Rookie K-Pop Groups to Watch in 2026
The next generation of K-pop is arriving fast, and rookie groups are already shaping the conversation for 2026. From survival-show standouts to modular mega-groups and concept-heavy projects, this wave of new acts is anything but uniform. Here, we spotlight ten groups under two years old that are already defining distinct lanes in sound, storytelling, and attitude.
KiiiKiii
KiiiKiii is already shaping up to be one of the definitive girl groups of this rookie wave. Starship’s five-member act first made their mark with debut EP Uncut Gem, where first single “I Do Me” landed as a mission statement: bright, nimble pop with a Gen Z shrug baked into the hook. That attitude leads straight into “BTG” and “Groundwork,” which push them toward punchier arrangements while keeping everything sharp and hook-ready. The group’s recent hit “Dancing Alone” shifts the mood into late-night, city-pop-adjacent shimmer, with its iconic ‘90s remix underlining just how easily they can lean into nostalgia. They’re still early in their run, but KiiiKiii already feels like a group building a catalog people will follow from era to era.
CORTIS
CORTIS are BigHit’s new noise-makers, and they definitely came out swinging. Their debut EP Color Outside the Lines sets up a guitar-driven, slightly grimy lane, with “What You Want” playing like a pop-rock track with a punk streak and hip-hop undercurrent—fuzzy riffs, shout-along hooks, and a rough, live-band feel running through the whole thing. Elsewhere on the record, pre-release single “GO!” hits like a pre-show warmup, all forward momentum and chanty refrains, while “Fashion” leans into a sleeker, strut-ready groove without dropping the edge. Add in the English version of “What You Want” with Teezo Touchdown and those record-breaking debut numbers, and CORTIS already looks like a band claiming a loud, slightly unruly slice of the 2026 landscape.
IRISÉ
When virtual girl group IRISÉ dropped their debut single “Wings,” they introduced a Y2K-inspired band sound wrapped in glossy pop and clear, sing-along melodies. Their EP IRIDISCENT takes that foundation and scales it up, adding sharper edges and more varied textures. It’s powerful title track “IRIDISCENT” shows their moodier side, all pulsing builds and attitude, while the solo songs named after each member double as character studies (shout-out to “SHANA” and “KIIRI,”), each one pulling in different genres, tones, and personalities. For a group still growing their audience, that balance of worldbuilding and musical range is exactly what makes IRISÉ feel worth paying attention to.
AHOF
AHOF is the type of boy group that already feels built to last. Formed through SBS’s survival show Universe League, the nine-member team debuted in July 2025 with the EP Who We Are, a front-to-back narrative about anxiety, ambition, and figuring things out together. Title track “Rendezvous” is a pop-rock rush, all layered guitars and drum runs, with a melody that aims straight for the chest instead of just flashing a big hook. Deeper cuts like “The Universe” and “Cosmic Underdog” stretch that sound into brighter, stadium-ready territory while keeping the focus on the members’ voices and the sense of a shared journey. It’s a debut that already feels cohesive, which gives them a solid foundation to build upon in 2026.
idntt
If you like K-pop at its most experimental, idntt is a new essential. At its core, the MODHAUS project centers on a 24-member lineup that splits into shifting units, with fans helping steer what comes next through its app-based system. Their first unit, uneverm8t, lays down the blueprint with the woozy, chant-heavy “BOYtude,” the sleeker “You Never Met,” and the rumbling, slow-burn tension of “Storm,” each track carving out a distinct mood inside the same shared world. If that isn’t enough, songs like “Instant Chemistry” and “Adolescence” push that approach even further, positioning idntt as an ongoing story you’ll want to return to.
ifeye
The six-member Hi-Hat Entertainment team ifeye stepped out on April 8, 2025, with digital EP ERLU BLUE, led by “NERDY,” a twitchy, hyper-melodic title track that turns bookish charm into something wired and self-assured. Conversely, B-sides “IRL” and “BUBBLE UP” round out the record with fizzy, internet-age pop anchored by clean hooks and tight group vocals. However, their follow-up EP sweet tang takes that playful mood to the next level. Title track “r u ok?” flips a simple message notification into a jittery, ultra-catchy chorus, while “loverboy,” “friend like me,” and “say moo!” sketch out different shades of crushy, chaotic fun. Together, those early releases make ifeye feel like a rookie group already settling into a lane of their own.
Close Your Eyes
If you’re into sleek, emotional boy-band pop, Close Your Eyes (CYE) should be on your radar. The multinational seven-member group debuted in April 2025 with Eternalt and quickly turned “All My Poetry” into a word-of-mouth favorite, thanks to its sweeping chorus and cinematic arrangement. Their second EP, Snowy Summer, is where the identity really locks in: the title track leans into a breezy, slightly off-kilter summer-pop haze, while “Paint Candy” blends 90s-tinted R&B textures with a vibey hook. B-side standout “Bubble Tea” helps round out a small but already cohesive discography built for both playlists and full-album listening. They’re already moving fast; 2026 just gives them more room to go moodier, louder, or both.
HITGS
HITGS is bratty pop energy in idol-group form, and it suits them perfectly. You can hear it all over their EP Things We Love : H, which jumps between hyper, chanty tracks and moodier pop while keeping a sharp, side-eye sense of humor at the center. “SOURPATCH” is a candy-coated anthem with little spikes along the edges, while “Never Be Me” leans into soaring vocals, hypnotic drums, and a chorus that lands somewhere between diaristic confession and bold statement. “GROSS” might be their most instantly memorable moment so far, a pop track that rolls its eyes, kicks its feet, and still lands with a chorus that’s easy and infectious. If you want a rookie act that plays like scrolling through a group chat in song form, it’s time to introduce yourself to HITGS.
Say My Name
Inkode’s eight-member girl group Say My Name includes a few familiar faces like ex-IZ*ONE’s Hitomi and Dream Academy alum Mei, but their music doesn’t just rely on recognition. The group’s debut EP Say My Name introduced them with “WaveWay,” a bright, slightly nostalgic track that plays with tempo shifts and layered harmonies. Follow-up lead single “ShaLala” from My Name Is… leans further into quirky, crowd-ready pop, while digital single “iLy” smooths things out into something more romantic and polished. Across all of it, there’s a clear through-line of self-definition that matches their concept of owning your name and identity, and it gives them plenty of opportunities to keep sharpening that story as they head into their second year.
IDID
IDID is Starship Entertainment’s new competition-born boy group, already turning that survival-show grind into momentum. Formed through Debut’s Plan, the seven-member team officially debuted this year with the EP I did it., led by “CHAN-RAN (제멋대로 찬란하게),” a bright, guitar-laced track that blends retro uptempo rock, light hip-hop touches, and a big, replay-friendly chorus. Elsewhere on the record, “Slow Tide” cools things down into a breezier, atmospheric groove, while “Sticky Bomb” leans into vibe-heavy, almost mischievous pop, and newer single “PUSH BACK” hints at a sharper, edgier side. Between the meaning behind their name—being able to say “I did it” at the end of every climb—and a KCON LA 2025 slot before they’d even settled into promotions, IDID already feels like Starship’s next long-game boy group.
