There’s many ways to debut – from next gen groups like Wanna One to competing on TV shows (Picture: VCG/VCG via Getty Images)

Every year, many K-pop groups debut with their own unique take on what it means to be an ‘idol’.

These debuts can happen in different ways. The traditional way of introducing the group and their members is through the release of teasers.

Another way is through the increasing popularity of survival competition shows which formed groups such as BIG BANG and Wonder Girls; the next-gen groups such as TWICE, WINNER, I.O.I and Wanna One; as well as the gradual introduction of idol trainees to the public through features with labelmate seniors – as seen in G-Dragon’s Black where Jennie from BLACKPINK was first introduced.



Every year, new groups rise to the limelight, while some fade just as quickly – but here are five rookie groups that are sure to take the K-pop industry by storm.


LOONA

Stylized as LOOΠΔ, this 18-month long project by Blockberry Creative (a subsidiary of Polaris Entertainment) rethinks debuting in a unique way.

Beginning in October 2016, one member was introduced every month – by the end of the project, the 12 member group was unveiled.

In an interesting turn, other than introducing the 12-member girl group, their company is also marketing individual members as soloists with their own singles, music videos and concept in this LOONA world.

This extended teaser strategy allows the girl group to garner a loyal fanbase. Comprised of three sub-units, each individual unit forms what the fans call the Loonaverse.

With such an elaborate concept, LOONA dropped theories, clues and hidden meanings within their music videos, providing a challenge to fans leading up to their official debut.

This also allows LOONA a degree of flexibility in their music, hinting towards possibilities of future sub-unit interaction leading to shifts in image and sound.

The members form three sub-units, with the first two called LOOΠΔ 1/3 and LOOΠΔ Odd Eye Circle.

The most recent video is for Egoist released on March 2018.

Stray Kids

Introduced through their survival show Stray Kids, where the members competed against another group from JYP Entertainment to see who would debut first, Stray Kids managed to keep all nine members even after two members were eliminated.

The group subsequently released their pre-debut mini album Mixtape along with three music videos for Hellevator, Grr and Spread My Wings.

On 26 March 2018, the group made their official debut with the release of released their full album, I Am NOT, with the title song and the music video for District 9.

Weki-Meki

Weki-Meki, also known as WEME, is an eight -member girl group formed under Fantagio Entertainment.

Previously known as i-Teen Girls during their predebut when they trained as part of a rookie talent development program under Fantagio, four members appeared as cameos in labelmate Astro’s predebut online web drama, To Be Continued.

Four members then subsequently competed in the Mnet survival television program Produce 101, where two members, Yoojung and Doyeon, ranked in the final Top 11 contestants and debuted as part of girl group project I.O.I.



On 8 August 2017, the group officially released their debut extended play, WEME, containing six tracks with lead single I Don’t Like Your Girlfriend.

The group enjoyed the post-I.O.I effect, selling over 50,000 copies of their debut album WEME.

Weki Meki released their second extended play titled Lucky on 21 February 2018 containing a total of six songs. The lead singles are La La La and Butterfly, the latter a remake of an original soundtrack from the 2009 sports film Take Off. This was released in support of the 2018 Winter Olympics.

A.C.E

The members of A.C.E are by no means strangers to the public as the group took to the streets of Hongdae for months with regular busking events and dance covers. A.C.E made their debut on 23 May 2017 with their single Cactus.

With a song that provides an EDM sound made by Zoobeater Sound, their debut stage was on the music program The Show.

A second single album Callin’ was released on 19 October 2017.

Known for their synchronized covers, the members of A.C.E have danced with 1Million Dance Studio, renowned in the Korean dance scene. 1Million Dance Studio participated in the creation of some of K-pop’s hit choreographies, including A.C.E’s debut Cactus. You can find A.C.E members in several of the dance studio’s popular videos.

The members have been gaining attention in the last few months as a result of their appearances on both KBS The Unit and JTBC MIXNINE where Jason and Donghun were selected as MIXNINE’s Top 9 Boys to re-debut in April.


UNB

This nine-member boy group under Interpark Music was created through the survival program, The Unit. Made up by members of already existing or disbanded boy groups, for most this is a second chance to stand on stage once again.

Team leader Feeldog debuted with Big Star in 2012, Euijin joined A.cian in 2014 but left to later debut again in 2016 in as a member of Bigflo, while Daewon debuted in recently disbanded boy group, Madtown.

Ko Hojung debuted with Hotshot in 2014, Jun joined UKISS in 2014, Chan debuted as a member of ACE in 2017, Kijung as a member of IM and Marco from Hot Blood Youth. Finally, Ji Hansol is a former SM Rookies trainee who left SM Entertainment in 2017 to sign with J-FLO Entertainment – he is set to debut in upcoming boy band New Kidd.

UNB officially made their debut on April 7, 2018 with Boyhood.

They held their debut stage on You Hee-yeol’s Sketchbook.

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