2025 K-Pop Rookie Groups Lead the Scene with ALLDAY PROJECT, SAY MY NAME, and Baby Don’t Cry

K-pop rookie groups in 2025 are shaping the new landscape of K-pop music through diverse musical styles and concepts. GROUPS such as ALLDAY PROJECT under THE BLACK LABEL, SAY MY NAME, and Baby Don’t Cry from P NATION have drawn significant attention with their comebacks and new releases. ALLDAY PROJECT maintained strong momentum after making a powerful debut in June. Composed of five members—Annie, Tarzan, Bailey, Woochan, and Youngseo—the group debuted with the powerhouses “Famous” and “Wicked” and is now preparing to release its first EP, “Allday Project.” The group recently attended the 2025 MAMA AWARDS on November 29 and earned its first award at the ceremony. Their pre-release track “One More Time” reached second place on Melon TOP 100, while the music video topped YouTube’s Global Trending chart and ranked fourth on QQ Music’s MV ranking. The group’s first EP was released at 6 p.m. on December 8. Among ALLDAY PROJECT’s members, Annie has received special attention. As the granddaughter of Shinsegae Group chairman Lee Myung-hee and the eldest daughter of Shinsegae Group chairman Jung Yoo-kyung, she was born into a chaebol family but became the first public K-pop idol. Interest from the public began several months before her official debut when news surfaced in February 2024 that she was training under THE BLACK LABEL. By proving herself as a trainee who worked just as hard as other idols despite being a descendant of a chaebol, she earned empathy and support from Korean fans. Ku Jung-woo, a sociology professor at Sungkyunkwan University, analyzed that “Annie gained the sympathy and support of Korean fans by showing that she achieved her dreams through hard work just like other idols.” Annie also created a narrative of being “no different from you” by sharing that she uses affordable and practical products. Born in Seoul, she moved to Manhattan, New York, at age 8, attended an elite preparatory school, and then enrolled at Columbia University to study art history and visual arts. She is a rare case among chaebol children who pursued a passion for K-pop while receiving elite education from a young age. SAY MY NAME concluded 2024 as a highly professional year. This emerging girl group announced a surprise winter comeback on December 29 with its third EP, “&Our Vibe.” The group started 2024 with its second EP, “My Name Is...,” in January, followed by the upbeat carol “Challala” in spring and its first single, “I-LY-WAY,” in August. The December comeback marked their fourth major release of the year, covering all four seasons from spring to winter and solidifying what has been dubbed “the year of SAY MY NAME.” The comeback teaser, in the form of a colorful retro diary, included mysterious keywords such as “Team UPO,” “Guest List,” and “Girls’ Night Playlist,” sparking fans’ curiosity. Baby Don’t Cry is P NATION’s first girl group, inheriting Psy’s unique style while combining the emotional impact of third-generation K-pop. The group debuted in June with its title track “F Girl” and recently returned with its second digital single, “I Don’t Care.” The new song features a band sound, primitive emotional pulses, and heartfelt lyrics that channel third-generation nostalgia while maintaining a modern and trendy feel. The production team includes VVN and IDO from THE BLACK LABEL, along with global hitmaker Tommy Brown. The song entered Melon Hot 100 right after its release, and the group performed on major domestic and international stages, appearing on the cover of a Japanese fashion magazine as well.