The K-Pop Groups We've Got on Repeat
From BLACKPINK to Stray Kids.
Packed with high-octane performances, catchy hooks, bold fashion and precision choreography, K-pop has long been building toward global domination. While the genre had already spent years breaking records and inching into the mainstream, 2025 marked a clear turning point, when K-pop became a worldwide force you can’t ignore.
Last year was one of the genre’s most expansive yet. Netflix’s KPop Demon Hunters flooded our feeds, while its soundtrack swept awards nominations, most recently culminating in a historic GRAMMY win for the track “Golden.” Collaborations also hit new highs, with Rosé and Bruno Mars‘ record-breaking single “APT” signaling a growing appetite for cross-genre and cross-cultural pop moments, also highlighted by KATSEYE, dubbed the “global girl group” with members from around the world.
Meanwhile, Stray Kids cemented their legacy, landing their eighth No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 with DO IT, extending an unmatched chart run.
So whether you’re finally ready to dive in or just looking to refresh your playlist, these are the K-pop groups we can’t stop listening to, and think you should, too.
BTS
This seven-member boy band was the most-streamed K-pop artist globally on Spotify in 2025. BTS has sold out arena tours across the US and UK, had six No. 1 singles on the US Billboard 100 chart and held No. 1 singles in over 100 different countries. The members are rappers Suga, RM and J-hope, alongside vocalists Jimin, V, Jin and Jungkook, and they’re definitely one you should be adding to your list. Most recently, the group announced BTS THE COMEBACK LIVE, a first-of-its-kind livestreamed performance releasing March 21, which will also be followed by a documentary showcasing the making of the band’s latest album, so stay tuned for more information.
BLACKPINK
BLACKPINK is a Seoul-born girl group consisting of members Jisoo, Jennie, Rosé and Lisa. Currently dubbed “the biggest girl group in the world,” they are in fact the highest-charting female Korean act to reach the top of the UK album charts. Each of the members also has a successful solo career, with Rosé recently breaking records for her track “APT” with Bruno Mars. Add BLACKPINK to your playlists and queue “Pink Venom.”
NewJeans
Just one year after its debut in 2022, NewJeans became the eighth biggest-selling act in the world. The girl group was seen as a game-changer by fans and critics alike, who adore the blend of ’90s R&B and girly pop melodies. Unfortunately, in the last year, the group has been caught up in a rough legal battle with their record label, ADOR. In the most recent update, one member, Danielle, has been dropped from the group and is being sued by the record label’s parent company, Hybe. Beyond the drama, the music shouldn’t be skipped, and we very much hope the group can stay together.
SEVENTEEN
SEVENTEEN is a boy band that (confusingly) consists of 13 members, each of whom is part of a specific sub-unit in the group. There’s the ‘Hip-Hop Unit,’ ‘Vocal Unit’ and ‘Performance Unit,’ which explains why the group commands such an impressive stage presence. Recently, SEVENTEEN made history as the first-ever K-pop group to perform for NPR’s ‘Tiny Desk’ concert, with some favorite tracks, including “Super” and “HBD.” Being a group for over 10 years, they’re not going anywhere soon, so it’s time to add them to your hype playlist.
LE SSERAFIM
LE SSERAFIM debuted in 2022 as Hybe’s first-ever girl group, a quintet comprised of members Kim Chaewon, Sakura, Huh Yunjin, Kazuha and Hong Eunchae. Known for hits like “CRAZY” and “SPAGHETTI (feat. j-hope of BTS),” the group reigned in 2026 performing at Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve, before the ball dropped in Times Square, New York. If you weren’t yet convinced that 2026 is the year of K-pop, you should be now.
TWICE
TWICE took over our feeds and playlists last year, making some serious moves. They were the first K-pop girl group to headline Lollapalooza, they contributed to the soundtrack of the hit show KPop Demon Hunters, released their 10th anniversary album, performed at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show and they’re only getting started. The members are fun, flirty and perform some undeniably catchy tracks, so tune in to their latest album Enemy.
Stray Kids
Stray Kids was formed in 2017 and consists of members Bang Chan, Hyunjin, Han, Lee Know, Felix, Changbin, Seungmin and I.N. They’ve got us all in a chokehold with their captivating performances and charismatic personalities, with many of the group fronting campaigns and attending fashion weeks. The boy band recently announced they’re releasing a concert film experience, Stray Kids: The dominATE Experience, where we’ll get some official behind-the-scenes footage and a glimpse of life on tour.
NMIXX
NMIXX is a newer girl group on the scene, releasing their first full-length album Blue Valentine in October 2025. This hasn’t stopped them from achieving meteoric success already, with fans dubbing them some of the best K-pop vocalists out there currently. The group recently announced they’ll be going on their first world tour later this year, stopping in Amsterdam, Paris, London and across North America. We can’t wait to see what they do next.
ENHYPEN
ENHYPEN has become one of K-pop’s biggest global groups since its debut in the reality series I-LAND in 2020. Consisting of seven members: Jungwon, Heeseung, Jay, Jake, Sunghoon, Sunoo and Ni-Ki, the group has achieved some major milestones since hitting the scene. ENHYPEN performed at the Tokyo Dome less than three years after their debut and last year hit the Coachella stage in a historic show. Now, they’ve just released their seventh mini album, THE SIN: VANISH. Take a listen, you won’t regret it.
EXO
EXO is a South Korean-Chinese boy band, recently dropping their eighth studio album, REVERXE. Featuring only six of the band’s original nine members (due to contract disputes), Suho, Chanyeol, D.O., Kai, Sehun and Lay deliver a leaner project that still manages to captivate. Set for a world tour later this year, EXO is back and proving that they’re stronger than ever.
TOMORROW X TOGETHER
TOMORROW X TOGETHER, consisting of SOOBIN, YEONJUN, BEOMGYU, TAEHYUN and HUENINGKAI, is the boy band quintet that we can’t stop listening to. In July 2022, the band became the first K-pop group to perform at Lollapalooza and returned a year later to become the first K-pop group to headline the festival. Collecting a whole lineup of prestigious awards, the band also became the first K-pop act to perform two consecutive sold-out shows at New York’s Madison Square Garden. The stats speak for themselves, and now we’re getting a brand new release this year. The group is set to drop its 8th mini album, 7TH YEAR: A Moment of Stillness in the Thorns.
MONSTA X
MONSTA X recently became the first K-pop group to release three full English-language albums, proving its trailblazer status in the global music world. The highly anticipated third English-language album was just released in early April and cemented the historic status. The previous releases debuted on the Billboard 200, blending pop, R&B and emotional storytelling that connected with audiences across waters. MONSTA X is clearly leading the genre’s global evolution, and we’re so here for it.
IVE
K-pop superstar group IVE, consisting of ANYUJIN, GAEUL, REI, JANGWONYOUNG, LIZ and LEESEO, is rooted in self-confidence and individuality. The group’s work explores connection through shared emotions, relationships and the collective experience between artist and audience. In March, the girls announced their global expansion with more dates added to their upcoming tour in North America and Asia. With huge artistic growth shown in their recent release and second full-length album REVIVE+, we can’t wait to see what they do next.
