The 5th Gen K-pop groups to add to your Spotify playlists

We’re now in a new era of K-pop, as it enters its fifth generation. The K-pop industry is renowned for its ever-evolving landscape, constantly introducing new talent and trends that captivate audiences worldwide. 

As we step into this new era, fifth-generation groups are reshaping the genre with fresh sounds, styles, and personalities. These emerging groups are not only redefining what it means to be an idol but are also influencing the global music scene in unprecedented ways.

What are K-pop generations?

K-pop has undergone several transformations over the years, each marked by a distinct generation. These generations reflect shifts in pop culture trends, industry changes, and aesthetic preferences. 

Each generation has left a significant mark on the industry, shaping its sound, style, and global reach. Fans often debate the exact timing and membership of these generations, but for this article, we’ll follow popular consensus.

Let's decode the four generations that have shaped K-pop so far:

1. FIRST GENERATION: Pioneering groups like Seo Taiji and the Boys, H.O.T., Sechs Kies, and S.E.S.

1. SECOND GENERATION: Iconic names such as TVXQ, Super Junior, BigBang, Girls' Generation, Wonder Girls, and 2NE1.

1. THIRD GENERATION: This era saw the global expansion of K-pop with groups like EXO, BTS, Red Velvet, Twice, Got7, Blackpink, and Seventeen.

1. FOURTH GENERATION: Recent influential groups include Stray Kids, TXT, Itzy, Aespa, Ateez, Le Sserafim, Enhypen, and NewJeans.

Enter the Fifth Generation

As the fifth generation makes its debut, a new wave of K-pop is here to enthral fans worldwide. From vibrant girl groups to dynamic boy bands, these are the fifth-gen K-pop groups you absolutely should listen to:

NJZ

While NewJeans were originally part of the fourth generation of K-pop groups, some might argue that they do fall under the fifth generation because of their recent re-debut, management, and quite possibly a new concept. Since their departure from their previous music label Ador, the group has been focused on making new music and preparing for the upcoming comeback performance at ComplexCon Hong Kong in March 2025.

Riize

SM Entertainment’s newest boy group, Riize, made their debut on September 4, 2023, with the single album Get A Guitar. The group’s name, a fusion of “Rise” and “Realize,” embodies their ethos of growth and the pursuit of dreams, showcasing the members’ resilience and potential in the K-Pop industry.

Riize consists of seven members: Shotaro, Eunseok, Sungchan, Wonbin, Seunghan, Sohee, and Anton, although member Seunghan is currently on hiatus.

Badvillian

Badvillian is a promising addition to the 5th generation of K-pop, consisting of seven members – Emma, Chloe Young, HU’E, INA, YunSeo, Vin, and Kelly – under BPM Entertainment. They burst onto the scene on June 3, 2024, with their debut single album Overstep. The group’s name, “BADVILLAIN,” combines “Bad” (short for “Be Aggressive for Desire”) and “Villain,” symbolising their fierce determination and singular focus on their goals. 

Alternately known as BV (Born to be Visionary), the group embodies limitless potential and a fresh perspective, positioning themselves as new heroes on stage pursuing dreams and aspirations. 

The members bring diverse talents with strong stage presence and experience – Emma, for example, previously participated on Street Woman Fighter in the dance crew, WANT, while both HU’E and YunSeo were former contestants on the survival show, My Teenage Girl.

BabyMonster

Also known as Baemon, BabyMonster is a South Korean girl group formed by YG Entertainment through the reality show Last Evaluation in 2023. The group includes seven members: Ruka, Pharita, Asa, Ahyeon, Rami, Rora, and Chiquita. Last Evaluation featured judges such as founder Yang Hyun-Suk, Lee Su-Hyun of AKMU, and Kang Seung-yoon of Winner, who assessed and ranked the members throughout the show.

Kiss of Life

Kiss of Life, is a four-member girl group under S2 Entertainment that garnered significant attention even before their debut. The members are Julie, Natty, Belle, and Haneul. Belle, the daughter of veteran Korean singer Shim Shin, previously worked as a songwriter for SM Entertainment. Natty participated in the reality survival shows Sixteen and Idol School, making it to the final episodes but not the final line-ups of Twice and Fromis 9. She debuted as a soloist in 2020 with the single album Nineteen. Julie trained under The Black Label, a YG Entertainment sub-label, from 2017 to 2020.

Kiss of Life debuted on July 5, 2023, with the EP Kiss of Life. According to S2 Entertainment, the group’s name signifies their aim to “breathe new life into the music industry with their music and charm,” focusing on themes of adolescence and young adulthood.

BoyNextDoor

BoyNextDoor, a six-member boy group under Zico’s KOZ Entertainment, debuted with their single album Who! on May 30, 2023. The group aims to connect with listeners through relatable and sincere music, and their name reflects a casual, approachable image akin to the “boys next door.”

Zerobaseone (ZB1)

Zerobaseone, a nine-member boy group created through Mnet’s competition show Boys Planet, is managed by WakeOne. The members are Kim Ji-woong, Zhang Hao, Sung Han-bin, Seok Matthew, Kim Tae-rae, Ricky, Kim Gyu-vin, Park Gun-wook, and Han Yu-jin.

Zerobaseone debuted on July 10, 2023, with the EP Youth in the Shade. The group is set to remain active for two years and six months.

Illit

Hybe’s new girl group, Illit, was formed by Belift Lab, a sub-label of Hybe, through the 2023 JTBC survival competition show R U Next?. The group consists of five members: Yunah, Minju, Moka, Wonhee, and Iroha. They debuted on March 25, 2024, with the EP Super Real Me and the single “Magnetic”.

The name “I’ll-It” was introduced during the live broadcast of the final episode of R U Next?, representing the members’ ability to act and make decisions independently.

Plave

Plave differs from the rest of the groups on this list, for they’re not just a fifth-gen K-pop group – they are a virtual boy band. Formed by Vlast, the group consists of five members: Yejun, Noah, Bamby, Eunho and Hamin.

Their name, “Plave,” combines “Play” and “Rêve” (Dream), symbolising their vision of creating a new space to achieve their dreams. Plave officially debuted on March 12, 2023, and held their first fan concert on April 13-14, 2024, at the Olympic Hall in Seoul, South Korea.

Xodiac

A nine-member boy group under One Cool Jacso Entertainment, Xodiac debuted with the digital single “Throw A Dice and was introduced to the public via a unique concept with their web drama MV series Roommate. With more digital singles and an album release planned, watch this space for more to come!