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Now that I’ve taken a look at the new acts that dominated 2024, it’s time to focus on their established counterparts. Though my favorite group of the year was a rookie, most of my favorite music came from artists who debuted in years prior. As usual, the criteria is built around these three factors:
- Quality of work
- Quantity of work
- Influence of work on the industry
The first criteria far outweighs the next two, and is entirely subjective. This is not a countdown of the most successful or prolific acts in 2024. This is a celebration of the groups/artists that really shaped the year for me. Rookies are ineligible, as they have their own countdown.
Just like last year, there’s only one repeat 2023 artist on this year’s list. K-pop moves fast and it’s becoming quite rare for artists to have consecutively excellent years. Here’s hoping 2025 changes that trend!
HONORABLE MENTIONS
CRAVITY
EPEX
G-Dragon
ITZY
QWER
10. DAY6
In a very strange twist, DAY6 arrive on this list not so much based on their 2024 material but based on much older songs. They had a major resurgence this year, placing both old and new songs on the charts. it really felt like they were taking a well-deserved victory lap.
Last Year: n/a
2024 Singles: Welcome To The Show, Melt Down
9. MOONBYUL
Moonbyul surprised me with a series of great singles. To me, she’s the most musically interesting of the Mamamoo soloists, able to weave between genres with ease. She really found her footing with a funk-pop sound in 2024.
Last Year: n/a
2024 Singles: Think About, Touchin&Movin, Is This Love?
8. NMIXX
It’s been fun to watch NMIXX develop their sound over the years. 2024 felt like an especially breakout year for them, kicking off with a strong mini album and following it with a well-charting hit. Their work also showcased an increasing versatility that bodes well for the future.
Last Year: n/a
7. AESPA
Aespa really land here based on one song. Supernova was one of 2024’s defining hits and has cemented them as a leading force in the industry. I wasn’t sold on other singles and album tracks the way others were, but it’s exciting to watch a girl group dominate to such an extent.
Last Year: n/a
2024 Singles: Regret Of The Times, Supernova, Armageddon, Hot Mess, Whiplash
6. KISS OF LIFE
While aespa dominated the girl group landscape in 2024, Kiss Of Life feel like the buzziest up-and-comers. They have a truly global sound, right on trend and quite addictive when the material is just right. If anyone will help lead the industry going forward, I’d put my money on them.
Last Year: n/a
2024 Singles: Midas Touch, Sticky, R.E.M, Get Loud
5. FROM20 / HELLO GLOOM
My favorite indie performers/producers scored another strong year. This time, Hello Gloom joins from20 on the list and actually released my favorite song between the two of them. Their music is refreshingly dance-focused and always of high quality, sleek and versatile enough to work in any music market.
Last Year: 7 (from20)
2024 Singles: Demon, Mamacita, Your Love, Somebody, Blue
4. ZEROBASEONE
In their second year, ZEROBASEONE doubled down on what makes them a great group. Their spring album was rather forgettable, but their late-summer Cinema Paradise truly sealed the deal. Add to that plentiful OSTs and Japanese releases and you’ve got a very active idol group with a high batting average.
Last Year: n/a
2024 Singles: Yura Yura, Sweat, Feel The Pop, Good So Bad
3. THE WIND
The Wind were my rookies of 2023, though even then I suspected RIIZE would edge them out in the long run. Still, these guys proved they’re here to stay with an excellent suite of 2024 songs. Even without their leader/main vocal (and operating as a five-piece for a time), they doubled down on the elements that make their music great. They’re one of the few groups consistently delivering strong melody and bright, nostalgic energy. I hope more people discover them in the new year because they have a bulletproof discography so far.
Last Year: n/a
2024 Singles: H! TEEN, Sirius Pt.2, Hello, My First Love
2. BOYNEXTDOOR
Sometimes it takes me awhile to click with a favorite group, and I’m ashamed at BOYNEXTDOOR’s relatively low ranking on last year’s rookies countdown. But, it’s not always the beginning that counts, right? BOYNEXTDOOR remain one of the industry’s most idiosyncratic groups, able to buoy any material through sheer strength of personality. I’ve retroactively gone back to adore some of their 2023 hits, but it was their springtime mini album How? that cemented their sound for me.
Last Year: n/a
2024 Singles: Earth, Wind & Fire, Dangerous, Nice Guy
1. RIIZE
Ignore the controversy (and fair enough if you can’t), and RIIZE delivered an absolutely stunning year of music. They were constantly active, churning out great hits of varying genres. Love 119 climbed its way to the top of the charts and eventually took me with it, while the double punch of Impossible and Boom Boom Bass cemented the group as descendants of SHINee’s SMP sounds. We also got a great rock anthem in Combo and a catchy summertime J-pop debut. Their discography is still relatively small, but it’s consistently great. Yes, I’ve even come around to the NCT-esque Siren! I’m so excited to see where they go from here. Don’t keep us waiting too long, SM.
Last Year: n/a
2024 Singles: Love 119, Impossible, Boom Boom Bass, Lucky, Combo
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