K-pop girl groups have grown beyond merely musical acts to pop culture shapers, fashion redefiners, and connectors with global audiences as never before. In 2024, the rising stars of the K-pop world will bring new sounds and unique visuals to echo virtual spaces that capture millions. Here’s a look at the K-pop girl groups making waves and worth knowing if you’re new to this vibrant genre.
In this article, I cover rising female K-pop groups that we recommend watching in 2024 and having an eye on during 2025 if you are interested in the genre. Also, I briefly explain the most notable K-pop girls in the history of K-pop.
NewJeans: The Fresh Faces of K-pop
Formed in 2022 under ADOR, NewJeans has been setting trends in no time. This girl group’s catchy beats and trendy outfitting have made international fans go crazy after them. They were also highly appreciated for the single “Hype Boy.” The members share their lives in bits and pieces with their fans on Spotify alone, where they receive more than 9.5 million followers (Nov 2024) or on social media. They bring a fresh image to K-pop, resonating with audiences worldwide through TikTok and Instagram.
They take care of the visuals. For the single “Hype Boy,” they released a few music videos. We choose the Performance No.1 version to share with you in this article.
Subscribers
last update: Nov 10, 2024
- Spotify: 9.46M
- YouTube Music: 7.83M
BABYMONSTER: The Next Big Thing
BABYMONSTER was YG Entertainment’s newest girl group to debut in 2023. It showed how powerful it was with edgy sounds and intense performances. Already, their debut single “Dream” streams over millions on Spotify and Apple Music Netflixindo, reaching such an incredible milestone in a matter of months. With a highly sleek, modern aesthetic and strong international following, the influence of BABYMONSTER is fast-growing, primarily through YouTube and Twitter, where they post behind-the-scenes content that gets fans going.
Subscribers
last update: Nov 10, 2024
- Spotify: 2.84M
- YouTube Music: 7.4M
IVE: Redefining K-pop Stardom
IVE, launched by Starship Entertainment, rebranded stardom since its debut in 2021. Quickly compiling millions of listeners and followers, IVE is known best for its hit song “Eleven.” Their musical and visual identity/configurations are the perfect mix of sophistication and fresh, youthful energy, appealing to every corner of the world to K-pop enthusiasts. Their clever use of platforms like Twitter and Instagram keeps fans engaged and anticipates a bright future as their reach grows.
subscribers
last update: Nov 10, 2024
- Spotify: 4.74M
- YouTube Music: 3.88M
LE SSERAFIM: Breaking the Mold
LE SSERAFIM is a five-member K-pop group born into the world under the management of Source Music and HYBE to break conventions. The single “Fearless,” married to powerful choreography, was bold in its lyrics, accumulating millions of streams worldwide. This empowering message and highly energetic performances have won them the loyal fans of LE SSERAFIM. These K-pop girls are active on social media, particularly Instagram, where their fashion-forward posts and creative videos showcase their style and artistry.
subscribers
last update: Nov 10, 2024
- Spotify: 6.03M
- YouTube Music: 5.61M
NMIXX: Innovators in the K-pop Scene
JYP Entertainment’s NMIXX made waves with their experimental approach and genre-mixing style, showing off the fresh sound of “O.O,” which got them millions of plays across all streaming platforms. The highly energetic social media strategy has seen NMIXX performing in TikTok challenges and making up videos for their fans to create a vibrant worldwide fanbase. Their distinct visuals and creativity make them a standout in the K-pop scene.
subscribers
last update: Nov 10, 2024
- Spotify: 3.21M
- YouTube Music: 2.91M
Fromis_9: Rising Stars with a Promising Future
The girl group Fromis_9, formed through a reality TV show, to blossoming hits like “We Go,” this group is known for upbeat and relatable songs. Their growth continues to welcome newer listeners around the world. One can also follow Fromis_9 on Twitter at @realfromis_9 or on their Instagram page @officialfromis9 as they give a sneak peek into their journey. Growing steadily, they are one of the groups to watch in 2024.
subscribers
last update: Nov 10, 2024
- Spotify: 1.34M
- YouTube Music: 1.27M
OH MY GIRL: Consistency and Growth
From their 2015 debut, OH MY GIRL has grown into one of the most promising girl groups in K-pop today, with hits like “Dun Dun Dance” streaming across millions. Their bright and dreamy style knows no cultural or national barrier. They have a close relationship with their fans through social media, especially Instagram. They continue to evolve musically, so OH MY GIRL’s future stands seemingly brighter than ever.
subscribers
last update: Nov 10, 2024
- Spotify: 1.34M
- YouTube Music: 1.27M
Red Velvet: The Veteran Innovators
Formed in 2014 under SM Entertainment, Red Velvet has overtaken the world with its eclectic balance of “Red” and “Velvet” concepts and dark aesthetic, respectively. Arguably, the global icon status is sealed with their smash hit “Psycho.” They interact with fans on different social media platforms, showcasing several styles and artistic flair that set trends in music and fashion worldwide.
subscribers
last update: Nov 10, 2024
- Spotify: 1.34M
- YouTube Music: 1.27M
Bright Upcoming Years For K-Pop
From NewJeans’ trendy style to the veteran influence of Red Velvet, here’s something unique to love about each of these K-pop girl groups. For music lovers and pop fans new to the genre, these groups offer an accessible gateway into one that’s captivating global audiences. Follow their journeys on social media, enjoy their vibrant music, and experience the impact of K-pop for yourself – 2024 and 2025 promise exciting years for fans worldwide!
K-Pop Historical Background
The origin of K-pop can be traced back to the 1940s, but as a genre, K-pop started to appear sometime in the early 1990s. One pivotal moment came in 1992 with the emergence of Seo Taiji and Boys, who revolutionized Korean music by fusing Western music styles with Korean lyrics and hip-hop dance moves. In other words, they created modern K-pop and gave them the “idol” culture they serve daily.
First-generation K-pop started in the late 1990s when groups like H.O.T. and S.E.S. formed and performed polished performances with strategies consumers felt planned to entertain fans. The second generation included powerhouse groups like TVXQ, Super Junior, and BIGBANG, continuing to expand K-pop’s reach towards Japan and other parts of Asia.
In this regard, Psy has been one of the crucial elements within K-pop through his global hit “Gangnam Style,” (My favorite version of this song is the one featuring Hyuna) which became a defining time for the genre’s visibility and the overall popularity of K-pop as a globally recognized genre. His contribution can be reflected upon by specific vital measures, which refer to global breakthrough, influence on the generation coming after him, and legacy and further continuous impact.
During the last few years, third-generation groups like BTS and BLACKPINK have found unprecedented success globally: unprecedented dominance in the mainstream Western markets and topping international music charts.
Generations of K-Pop Girl Groups
As we mentioned, K-Pop has been there for a while. We were curious to discover the most noticeable groups organized by generations.
First Generation (1997-2002)
S.E.S.
Often credited as one of the first successful girl groups in K-pop, known for their harmonious vocals.
Fin.K.L
Another pioneering group that set the stage for future idols with their catchy hits and distinct image.
Second Generation (2007-2015)
Girls’ Generation (SNSD)
Known for their massive hits like “Gee” and “The Boys,” they played a significant role in popularizing K-pop globally.
2NE1
Famous for their edgy style and hits like “I Am the Best,” they were instrumental in establishing a more diverse sound in K-pop.
Wonder Girls
Their song “Nobody” was one of the first K-pop songs to gain significant attention in Western markets.
Third Generation (2014-2019)
BLACKPINK
Known for their powerful performances and global appeal, songs like “DDU-DU DDU-DU” have made them a household name.
TWICE
With a bright and catchy sound, they have produced numerous hits such as “Cheer Up” and “Fancy.”
Red Velvet
Recognized for their versatility, they blend different musical styles and concepts in their discography.
Fourth Generation (2020-Present)
ITZY
Known for their empowering themes and catchy hooks, they quickly gained popularity with songs like “WANNABE.”
aespa
They incorporate virtual elements into their concept, appealing to a tech-savvy audience with hits like “Next Level.”
LE SSERAFIM and NewJeans
Emerging as strong contenders in the current scene, they are noted for their fresh sounds and innovative concepts.
