K-Pop gets bigger and bigger every year, and while it’s fun for existing K-Pop fans to celebrate their favorite artists gaining global recognition, it can be intimidating for new listeners to learn about the Korean industry. But don’t worry – we’ve got you! As 2021 winds to a close, we narrowed down the list of which groups will be frontrunners next year. So if you keep an eye on these seven artists, you’ll be good to go. 

aespa 

The 4-piece aespa are one of the most exciting Korean groups to debut in the past few years, and throughout 2021, they laid the groundwork for an explosive global career. They offered one of the biggest songs of the year with “Next Level,” released their first mini-album, Savage, made their U.S. TV debut on The Kelly Clarkson Show, became the first K-Pop girl group to perform at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade during a days-long NYC takeover, and topped it off with a fresh reimagining of S.E.S’ 1998 hit “Dreams Come True.” You can watch as aespa’s own dreams come true by kicking it with them on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter! 

ATEEZ

ATEEZ completed their FEVER music series with the triumphant ZERO : FEVER EPILOGUE EP, combining elements of pop, rock, and hip-hop in one addictive package. The mini-album proves why they’re K-Pop frontrunners and lets them show off their versatility as a group. Once you fall in love with the project, grab your tickets to their 2022 world tour and get ready for the night of your life. You can get to know ATEEZ on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and their website!

ENHYPEN

ENHYPEN will be kicking off 2022 with a bang when they release DIMENSION : ANSWER on January 10th, a repackage of their debut album, DIMENSION : DILEMMA. This revamped edition will let fans rediscover the project all over again and reflect on how far the group has come since debuting in 2020. They’ve already made their U.S. TV debut on The Kelly Clarkson Show, and it’s just a matter of time until they take America by storm. Link up with ENHYPEN on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and their website!

Monsta X

The 6-piece Monsta X closed off 2021 with the release of their second fully English project, The Dreaming. And now that they’ll have new opportunities to reach more non-Korean fans with the album, it’s the perfect opportunity to become a MONBEBE and stan the group! Their unique blend of modern, acoustic, and retro pop is great for listeners of any genre. And if you’re only a fan of one particular genre, the group can undoubtedly help expand your palate. Learn more about Monsta X on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and their official site.

SEVENTEEN

SEVENTEEN started the year as one of K-Pop’s most exciting acts, but they took it to the max as they dominated the scene throughout 2021. Between dropping the immersive ATTACCA EP, making their U.S. TV debut on The Late Late Show, receiving nominations at the MTV Video Music Awards and Billboard Music Awards, and being chosen as MTV’s Push artist for the month of December, there’s no telling how much higher SEVENTEEN can go as their audience builds. Now’s a better time than ever to start supporting them, and the first step is to connect with the 13-piece on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter! 

TRI.BE

It’s impossible not to undergo a huge mood boost when you listen to TRI.BE, and the peppy girl group is just getting started! After debuting with their exciting VENI VIDI VICI mini-album in October, they recently released their infectiously upbeat track “The Bha Bha Song,” which will be the theme song for Cartoon Network’s We Baby Bears. We can’t wait to see what this amazing placement brings them and how much bigger they get worldwide in 2022! In the meantime, get ahead of the curve by following TRI.BE on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

TWICE

After releasing both Taste of Love and Formula of Love: O+T = <3 this year, TWICE are (rightfully) on top of the world right now. But in true TWICE fashion, they’re still pushing themselves to be the best artists they can in all departments. They’ll get to perfect their stage routine when they take the projects on a world tour in 2022, and though the original five U.S. dates sold out, they added more shows! You can grab your tickets here and get hyped by connecting with TWICE on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and their official site.