Global Lineups Drive Successive Debutations of New K-Pop Groups, Accelerating Industry Diversification

From the second half of 2024 through early 2025, new K-Pop groups and sub-units featuring international members have been launching one after another. This approach of utilizing global auditions and expanding projects in phases reflects the increasing diversification and heightened competition within the K-Pop industry.

Nicole Bacon, 22, from Singapore, joined NWH:I, a new group under Na Entertainment. She submitted a one-minute hip-hop dance video as part of an online audition on December 31, 2024, and received contact from the company on January 2, 2025. She then participated in a six-week intensive training program covering dance, vocals, and Korean language. After being officially announced as a trainee on January 24, she moved to Seoul in March to undergo full-time training.

NWH:I stands for “New World High teen Idol” and ultimately consists of seven members: Nicole (Singapore), Nina (26, Philippines), Bia (24, Indonesia), Seungju (24, South Korea), Alice (22, Japan), Mariam (22, Germany), and Vanessa (17, Indonesia). The group made its official Debut on October 24, 2025, with the digital single “Like A Flame.”

Nicole, Alice, and Mariam are also members of DNA, a mixed-gender group under Na Entertainment. DNA includes South Korean member Seungki (26) and Brazilian-Japanese half-blood Rafael (24). The group released the digital single “Change The World” on September 3, 2025. Nicole is the first Singaporean to debut in a K-Pop girl group, following Singaporean actresses Tasha Low and Perlin Wong who joined the South Korean group Scarf in 2012.

Meanwhile, Mode House’s boy band project idntt expanded to a total of 15 members on January 6, 2025, with the launch of its third sub-unit, “Yes Award.” Idntt is a project planned by Mode House, the same company behind the girl group Triple S, and is designed as a gradual rollout structure with a final lineup of 24 members. It started in August 2024 with the first sub-unit, “Unevermot,” consisting of seven members. The number increased to 15 in January 2026 with the addition of the second sub-unit, “Yes Award.”

Along with the launch of “Yes Award,” a corresponding album was released. The title track, “Pretty Boy Swag,” features music that combines bass, electric guitar, and brass, along with a large-scale synchronized choreography designed for all 15 members. The album, which contains five tracks, includes songs such as “BOYS,” “Yes We Are,” “Rage Problem,” and “Moon Burn.” The existing members stated that the addition of eight new members completely transformed the energy and impact of their performances on stage.