There were some debuts that I forgot to add to my list, but overall there wasn't many debuts for me that really stood out. These in my post today are the debuts that really blew me away and if I wasn't already made me a fan and follow them.
Here are the debuts that stole the show for me in 2025.
Dayoung
Google Images
While I've never really followed the group she's in, I was blown away by her debut with just one listen. So much so her album appeared in my Top 20 K-pop albums list. I can't wait to see what she brings next.
I can't even remember how I came across these but I heard a song and decided to check out their album and fell in love. The only downside of being a fan is that they're not a permanent group.
These are definitely my favourite rookies of 2025. Each release really stood out for me, I love their concept and love that they have a good mixture of music on their albums. I can't wait to see how their career and music grows.
I love how different Beomgyu's solo debut was to TXT's music. It really allowed him to shine. I can't wait to see what else he brings us with his solo music.
I had another busy year with releases in 2025, fun fact, I had the same number of releases as in 2024, 232. There were so many good releases that it was definitely harder this time round picking my favourites.
There were quite a few disbandment's in 2025, some ' sure expected and some surprising ones, but sad all the same. The main one for me was Purple Kiss, I was gutted when they announced that they would be disbanding, as I've always really enjoyed their releases. We got the announcement that EXO would be making a return, but sadly only with 6 members as CBX are up against SM at the moment.
As always, please remember that this list is my own personal taste and opinion, I know not everyone will like the artist, albums, or even my rankings, but that doesn't mean I deserve any hate because you enjoyed or listened to an album more than I did.
There's artists in my Top 20 that have never made an appearance before, as well as artists that haven't appeared in a while.
So let's get into it.
NO.20
Google Images
Coming in at No.20 we have XLOV with their 1st mini album UXLXVE. These were my favourite group debut in 2025. While I wasn't initially a fan, I was quickly pulled in as their music is catchy. The contrast of the songs on this album, makes it deserving of being on my list.
Coming in at No.19 we have JUSTB with their 5th mini album Snow Angel. It's been a while since they've made it onto my official list and I was a little scared that they ay have disbanded after their appearance on Road to Kingdom: Ace of Ace in 2024, but I'm glad they came back fighting and stronger than ever. This album is amazing, each track is really catchy.
Coming in at No.18 we have Chung Ha with her 5th mini album Alivio.
This is her 2nd release to appear on my list, the first being in 2022. This album from start to finish is catchy. This album kept my attention from start to finish.
Coming in at No.17 we have PLAVE with their 2nd single album PLBBUU. I think this is the first time we've had a cutesy release from PLAVE and they can totally pull it off.
Coming in at No.15 we have Dayoung with her solo debut single album Gonna Love Me, Right?
I knew nothing of her or her group, but I was hooked from the first listen on her solo debut. She definitely has a future in her solo career and I can't wait to see what happens next for her.
Coming in at No.13 we have MONSTA X with their 13th mini album THE X.
This album really showed a new side to MONSTA X, while keeping their MONSTA X vibe. I was hooked from this album from start to finish and it brings them back to my chart for the first time in 5 years.
Coming in at No.11 and just missing out on my top 10 is Minnie with her solo debut mini album HER.
I was obsessed with this album from the day it was released, I knew it would make an appearance on my list. The contrast between the songs, really shows different sides to Minnie.
Coming in at No.10 we have GFriend with their first single album Season of Memories.
This marked GFriend's first release in 5 years, to celebrate their 10 year anniversary. I've followed GFriend since their debut, so I was insanely excited and happy for this release and I wasn't let down.
Coming in at No.9 we have Twice with their special Album Ten: The Story Goes On.
I absolutely love this album, I think it perfectly shows their growth as a group as well as giving us solo songs too. I think each solo track fits that member perfectly. This is also their first appearance back on my list since 2020.
Coming in at No.8 we have Jessi with her 3rd mini album P.M.S: Pretty Mood Swings.
I absolutely love this album, I think people prominently know Jessi as a rapper and don't really know she sings too. She gets a lot of stick because of who she is as a person and as a woman and I love that she doesn't change who she is to fit into the accepted ideals. This album shows that.
Coming in at No.7 we have XLOV with their 1st single album I ONE.
XLOV are making their 2nd appearance in my list which shows how catchy and amazing their albums are. This was the album that made me really fall in love with them and pay attention to them.
Coming in at No.6 and just missing out on my top 5 is ONEUS with their 3rd full length album Dear.M.
As someone that only really knew most of their title tracks, I was blown away by this album, the title track for this album kept playing on both Spotify and YouTube. They were really wanting me to like them and it worked. For anyone that's unfamiliar with ONEUS, this is the perfect release as it has new songs as well as their title tracks.
Coming in at No.5 we have JustB with their 1st digital mini album Just Odd.
I had this album on repeat so much, so it had to be in my top 5. I personally think this album is way too short. Each track is catchy and proves why I've loved JustB since debut.
Coming in at No.4 we have Stray Kids with their 3rd single album Mixtape: dominATE.
I loved all their releases in 2025, but this one holds special meaning as I got to see all the songs live during their show in July, my name even appeared on the screen during cinema.
Coming in at No.2 is SHINee with their 1st single album POET | ARTIST.
The fact that Jonghyun wrote the song and they kept the title the same as his final album made me love this album so much more, and even better we got to hear Jonghyun's voice alongside his members in new music since his passing.
Coming in at No.1 we have PLAVE with their 3rd mini album Caligo Pt.1.
This was definitely my most listened to album in 2025, so it has to take my top spot. Even now I'm still obsessed with it and it's scary that we're getting closer and closer to it being released a year ago. I know PLAVE are not for everyone but they're definitely up there for me as my favourites.
So there you have it, that's my top 20 K-pop albums of 2025. I look forward to what the rest of 2026 brings when it comes to new music, as well as new debuts.
BTS are making a return in March so I'm excited to hear what new music they bring us.
So far I only have 2 K-pop concerts so far for 2026 and they're both in February, I will be seeing and meeting Kino in London and seeing XLOV in Manchester. I'm just waiting and hoping for UK dates for both ATEEZ and MONSTA X.
