[K-Enter] Special_Rookie K-pop groups in the spotlight

It’s time now for our K-enter segment, BUT a very special one, with BOTH our co-hosts and K-enter news presenters Walter and Bella.

We are going to delve into rookie K-pop groups that debuted this year.

Yes, it’s a big year for rookie girl and boy groups, including those from the “big four” K-pop entertainment agencies.

Right, namely BigHit Music, SM, JYP, and YG. And I have to say we’re seeing a lot of girl power this year.

Well I think the boy groups are also doing extremely well

Let's let our viewers decide. Why don’t we get started by introducing them. We’re going to start with the most RECENT new boy group So Walter, you represent the boys today. Start us off please!

Soa, we are starting off big, BigHit Music big to be precise! Let me introduce to you CORTIS who debuted on Monday! CORTIS are the first boy group from BigHit Music in six years, following TOMORROW X TOGETHER TXT , and coming some twelve years since BTS made their debut. The five member group got the name “CORTIS” from their slogan and the title of their debut album, “Color Outside the Lines.”

Their main track “What You Want” was released on Monday and I was hooked from the get-go . CORTIS will officially release their debut album “COLOR OUTSIDE THE LINES” on September 8. It features five tracks: “What You Want,” as well as “GO!,” “FaSHioN,” “JoyRide,” and “Lullaby,” along with eight music videos, three of which are conceptual performance films showing off their choreography.

Who’s the next group we’re introducing Bella?

Now it’s time for girl power!

Hearts2Hearts is the latest girl group from SM Entertainment. The group has eight members -Jiwoo, Carmen, Yuha, Stella, Juun, A-na, Ian and Ye-on. They made their debut on February 24th of this year with their first single “The Chase.”

The group name, Hearts2Hearts, means connecting hearts, aiming to connect with global fans through their music.

They are SM’s first girl group in over four years after aespa, and debuted in a year that marks the 30th anniversary of SM.

After a successful debut, Hearts2Hearts recently released a new single “STYLE” in June.

They remind me of one of my favorite girl groups, Girl’s Generation, so I’m really looking forward to their future activities.

And now again a boy group! Let me guess, Walter’s turn?

Next up, JYP’s KickFlip who debuted in January with their mini album “Flip it, Kick it” and main single “Mama Said”. This seven-member group came out of the gates hot, selling 270-thousand copies of their album in their first week alone.

But the boys weren’t ready to slow down as it took them only 4 months after their debut to release their second EP “Kick Out, Flip Now!” showing their hard work and dedication to their fans.

The boys are moving fast in the world of K-pop and already performing at some of the biggest festivals overseas. Recently, KickFlip performed at Lollapalooza Chicago, warming up the crowd for their female seniors Twice, who headlined the festival.

The boys are currently working on their third EP which is due to come out in September, so KickFlip fans are getting a lot of new tricks from the boys this year.

And I am sure many years to come.

So, we introduced new groups from BigHit, SM, and JYP, but what about YG?

That’s a good question.

When will this highly anticipated new girl group, currently known as ‘Next Monster’ make their debut? Who’s going to be part of it? Information has been coming out very slowly, bit by bit.

For now, we do know that it’s a girl group with four members, and two of the members are EVELLI and CHANYA. Their practice videos are already receiving loads of love with millions of views.

YG has announced that they will soon unveil the other two members and other information about the group, so I will make sure to keep you updated!

Please do so. But Walter, Bella, this is not it?

I also have some notable mentions, starting off with a nine-member group called AHOF which means nine in Korean but the group name also stands for “All time Hall of Famer”. The group managed by F&F Entertainment was formed through a reality competition show called “Universe League.” They debuted on July 1 and introduced their first mini album “WHO WE ARE.”

It didn’t take the boys long to impress as they achieved a triple crown of trophies from major music shows.

AND 7-member group “Close Your Eyes” from label UNCORE, debuted on April 2. This group was also formed through an audition program called “Project 7”. The “Close Your Eyes” name signifies delivering music that convinces not only through performance but also when listened to with your eyes closed.

Their first EP “Eternalt” performed well among fans and the single “All My Poetry” won its first trophy on music show “The Show”.

I want to mention two more girl groups.

First, five-member group KiiiKiii!

They are known as the younger sister of IVE, as both are from Starship Entertainment.

They pre-released their single “I DO ME” in February and officially made their debut in April with their first EP “UNCUT GEM”, followed by "DANCING ALONE" earlier this month.

What’s notable with KiiiKiii is that they won first place in one of the major music shows in Korea just two weeks after their debut.

The second group I want to mention is a girl group that most recently made their debut -AtHeart just last week, with their first album “Plot Twist.” Their agency is Titan Contents, made by the former CEOs of SM Entertainment.

Even before their official debut, they earned recognition from Billboard, Variety, and TeenVogue as one of the most promising K-pop acts of the year.

So excited to see more amazing milestones from all these groups.

Thank you Walter!

Thank you Bella!