Nostalgia, dance precision, dynamic.

The common denominator of the rookies who will lead the future of K-pop has been revealed. British pop music magazine NME selected a total of four teams, including Tours, Badvillain, Catseye, and Resene, as the ‘2025 New Artists to Watch’, and predicted their global success. In particular, as the strengths of the four teams analyzed by NME share some commonalities, a new ‘K-pop rookie formula’ is even being established.

On the 13th (Korean time), NME introduced 100 teams (names) of potential stars who will lead the global pop music market through the ‘2025 Essential Emerging Artists 100’ list.

Tours is the only K-pop boy group to make the list. They have been recognized for their ability to rise to global stardom in just one year with the success of ‘First Encounters Don‘t Go as Planned’, ‘If I’m S, You‘ll Be My N’, ‘Last Festival’.

NME defined Tours, who are gaining popularity as ‘youth icons’, as a “group that captures boyhood through nostalgic pop”, explaining that they “explore the meaning of youth in modern society and approach it in a more fundamental way”. They also pointed out that their lyrical and soft music “sets them apart from other K-pop boy groups who often feature bold concepts”.

Global girl group Cats Eye was also cited as having the key to gathering domestic and international fandoms with their retro “Y2K concept” and “K-pop’s signature delicate dance”. NME said that Cats Eye, the “first collaboration” between HYBE and America‘s Geffen Records, is “a team that aims to conquer the world with addictive and fun music”.

Five-member girl group Resenne and seven-member girl group Bad Villain, who debuted last year, were pointed out for their emotional charm and girl crush concept, respectively.

NME praised Resenne, saying, “They are a team that stands out with their nostalgic K-pop sensibility and possesses the qualities needed to become a next-generation girl group”. Bad Villain predicted that the biggest strength would be the “overwhelming stage presence” of Emma and Chloe Young, who are both former famous dancers.

Meanwhile, the female indie punk band Sailor Honeymoon made the list as a “K-band.” They captured the attention of experts with their “cheerful rebellious spirit.”


Reporter Yoo Ji-hye yjh0304@donga.com

This article is automatically translated using Google AI. If you notice any inaccuracies, please let us know at allkstar@donga.com.