Rookie K-Pop Acts Surge with Impactful Fall Releases

As the K-pop industry gears up for a competitive close to 2025, a wave of rookie acts is lining up impactful fall releases. Cortis, who debuted in August under BigHit Music, has already made a global impact with their first album 'COLOR OUTSIDE THE LINES', entering the Billboard 200 at No. 15 – the second-highest debut rank ever for a K-pop group's first album. The group has also stood out as the only boy group debut of the year to enter Melon's daily chart, showcasing their hands-on creative identity.

Kickflip of JYP Entertainment has also accelerated buzz with their third mini-album 'My First Flip' and the title track '처음 불러보는 노래', securing back-to-back music show wins, including a first No. 1 on Show! Champion and another top ranking on Music Bank's official list. Member Donghyun participated in writing and composing the title song, an uptempo dance track that packages a fluttering confession into a bright, performance-forward single.

Alongside these established rookies, SM Entertainment's girl group Hearts2Hearts and Babymonster are also set to return later this month. Hearts2Hearts will release their first mini-album 'FOCUS' on October 20, while Babymonster drops their second mini-album 'WE GO UP' on October 10, led by a hip-hop-driven title track. Both groups are expected to showcase sharpened performance capabilities and deeper sonic palettes, further solidifying the competitive landscape for new talent in the K-pop industry.