The Rookies to Keep a Look Out for Next Year

The K-pop industry is constantly debuting new talent every year, and thus, there's always an intense focus on these new groups to see how they do in their first year. Based on their performance this year, I list the three rookies to keep a watch out for in the future.

1. Itzy

JYP's first girl group since their bonafide sister group Twice, Itzy had an amazing 2019. They were one of the fastest female rookie groups to get the coveted music show win, and then went on to win several more of those with their digital song "Dalla Dalla". They repeated that success with quirky summer bop "Icy". Itzy are power girl group personified, full of youthful badass feminine confidence that is honestly really inspiring. Their music grows on you, and that gives the group immense staying power in the years to come. I'm excited to see what they'll release next.

2. Ateez

With a small agency and very little domestic hype, Ateez kind of came from nowhere. However, they've proven time and time again they're here to stay with their raw talent and their ability to capture a niche in the overtly-saturated market, and I've become a fan. With three EPs and one studio album under their belt in under a year since their debut, they've yet to release a bad song, and they're probably one of the most compelling and magnetic performers in the industry. While I'm sure they're not ones to burn out considering how passionate they are about performing, the concerned mom in me hopes they have a nice long hiatus before they come up with even better releases.

3. Tomorrow x Together

The newest group from BigHit Entertainment since the label debuted mega-superstars BTS, TXT have carved their own path and have differentiated themselves from their label-mate. TXT make some fantastic music. Their debut EP is a no-skip, full of bright, energetic pop hits that give you the most exuberant feeling when listening to them. Their first studio album is a natural, more refined progression for the group that synergies with their discography to date. BigHit clearly know what they're doing, and so long as they keep doing what they're doing with TXT, the group will be here for a long time. They're insanely talented, and I'm sure their success as live performers will take them a long way. I hope to see them get more involved in the production of their music in the future.

Honorable Mentions: Everglow, Oneus, and X1