Best Debuts in K-Pop by Genius Korea

The debut song, music video, choreography, styling, stage performance is the most important part of K-Pop artists' careers. It is the performance that will forever remain in the minds of music fans. Lucky for us K-Pop has delivered some of the best debuts in global pop music. Here are the 25 best debuts in K-Pop by Genius Korea.

The list is compiled and ranked by the opinion of the community.

25. “DU DU DU” – TAN

This debut is less than a month old but it’s one of the most sophisticated songs you’ll hear especially coming from a rookie group. Wild Idol’s debuting group TAN came out with the sleek R&B infused pop anthem, “DU DU DU” which opens with an acapella harmony and precursive snaps. The geniuses behind EXO’s “Love Shot” and “Ko Ko Bop” produced “DU DU DU” and TAN did justice to the song in every way. Their sexy style and aura fit the vibe of the song and the visuals making it a memorable debut.

24. “Bomb” – AleXa

K-Pop rarely gets solo idol debuts who are not members of idol groups. Therefore, AleXa’s debut with “Bomb” stands out. AleXa used a tried and tested formula in K-Pop for her debut song but she excels at it. “Bomb” allows the audience to experience all of AleXa’s talents in small doses. The music video and the choreography are the highlights of this debut. As Zany Bros first artist, AleXa was bound to put out a show-stopping music video featuring detail-oriented aesthetics to fit her A.I concept. AleXa also lays it all out on the dance floor with the sheer power of her choreography.

23. “Cassette” – DEMIAN

With his debut turning into a sleeper hit, DEMIAN captured the hearts of many fans with his soulful voice. With an amazing falsetto ranger, his voice sends butterflies in his listeners' stomachs. “Cassette” took inspiration from the 80s style that grew popular recently and mixes it with soft rock. Lyrically about the good and bad memories of a relationship, DEMIAN is what a modern singer-songwriter looks like bringing in a new perspective to youth and love.

22. “Black Mamba” – aespa

Taking K-Pop to a new level aespa’s debut was one of the most buzzworthy debuts in recent times. Featuring virtual counterparts, aespa has been shrouded in the most lore an SM group has seen since EXO. Apart from the amazing storyline and worldview of aespa, “Black Mamba” also holds its fort as a strong debut track. “Black Mamba” grows stronger as it goes on, hard-hitting drums and beat drop build the drop to an electrifying bridge. The layering of the high note with the beat drop amplified the power further. aespa also carried over that power to the show-stopping choreography.

21. “LATATA” – (G)I-DLE

Debuting in a time when the cute concept was overtly popular among girl groups, (G)I-DLE came in to cast a spell with “LATATA.” Despite that “LATATA” was still very much a trend-following debut featuring tropical beats and a drop chorus. Yet, it somehow managed to stand out and that was thanks to Jeon Soyeon who wrote and co-produced the song infusing it with her charisma and all the members who brought their own style and flavor. From Minnie slurring her words to Shuhua and Soojin’s impressive visuals in the music video to Yuqi’s deep and Miyeon’s high vocals, “LATATA” was a memorable debut for multiple reasons.

20. “Valkyrie” – ONEUS

“Valkyrie” by ONEUS was a killer debut and one that’s stood the test of time. The song immediately helped ONEUS in establishing their powerful, cinematic sound. “Valkyrie” is an EDM monster that flies in all sorts of inventive directions. The electronic switch up for the chorus gives the song some edge and definitely added to its addictive nature. ONEUS showcased their impressive vocals and rap skills in the song. The music video also offered a look into their metaphorical storylines and spectacular performance which was supported by witty facial expressions which have now become their signature.

19. “Chase Me” – DREAMCATCHER

One of the best and most successful revamps in K-Pop came with Dreamcatcher. Shocking fans and critics alike, “Chase Me” was a hauntingly beautiful hard rock anthem. The song starts off eerily calm but turns into something truly spectacular. While Rock was a popular genre in the last year, Dreamcatcher were one of the first mainstream groups to stick with this style. The music video was equally as powerful and kicked off their nightmare series. The video not only drew inspiration from horror movies but also visuals from second-generation groups like FIESTAR and VIXX. Overall, “Chase Me” left an everlasting impression on the industry.

18. “So Bad” – STAYC

While their debut song is called “So Bad,” their debut wasn’t bad at all. In fact, it is one of their strongest title tracks right next to “ASAP.” For a rookie group, debuting out of a fairly new and small company STAYC’s debut was very impressive. With very high replayability, “So Bad” was a fresh take on the nu-disco style that was popular in 2020. The song was produced by legendary K-Pop producer Black Eyed Pilseung who has worked with the likes of Apink, TWICE, and more. The members bring their own twist to the song with flavorful vocal and rap delivery. The music video and choreography were colorful and fit the fast-paced song.

17. “The 7th Sense” – NCT U

It has been a long ass ride and it all started with “The 7th Sense” by NCT U performed by Taeyong, Doyoung, Ten, Jaehyun, and Mark. Moving at an oddly languid pace, the track is very unsettling and might not even come off as a debut single due to its experimental style. But that is not without purpose as “The 7th Sense” makes reference to fever dreams that haunt the members. The rappers shine through their verses which were written by them as well. The vocalists shine through heavenly harmonization and vocal ad-libs. The visuals and choreography mirror the song’s production and lyrical message as it takes the viewers through differently colored sequences. Regardless of divisive opinions, “The 7th Sense” was a bold choice for a debut that worked because of the members.

16. “BOOMBAYAH” – BLACKPINK

BLACKPINK came into our area and became the revolution and it all started with “BOOMBAYAH” (and “Whistle”). Dropping a sledgehammer on 2016’s summer in K-Pop, “BOOMBAYAH” was instantly addictive and extremely catchy. While they have had better lyrical moments since “BOOMBAYAH” still managed to offer listeners iconic one-liners. And even though YG Entertainment is known for their big production music videos, BLACKPINK members’ power, boldness, and youthful energy is what made the music video for the song so memorable. “BOOMBAYAH” had all the elements of a timeless debut.

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15. “Pirate King” – ATEEZ

A retrospective analysis of “Pirate King” by ATEEZ makes a listener realize how clever the song really is and what makes “Pirate King” and “Treasure” perfect debut singles. “Pirate King” relied on its instrumentals to convey the themes of its lyrics and concept. The use of xylophone and bagpipes suited the theme of being Pirates as xylophones give an impression of bones clacking, a staple of pirate culture. The same can be said about the ship horn, as well as vocalizations and growls. Now that we know that the Treasure was a series “Pirate King” was the perfect opener for the series and start for the adventure. The song’s performance video also established that ATEEZ will be a performance-driven group which they have lived up to perfectly.

14. “Adore U” – Seventeen

A truly self-produced debut, “Adore U” by Seventeen was co-written by members Woozi, Vernon, and S.Coups as Woozi also handled the production of the song. Member Hoshi choreographed the song’s performance. The funky pop song navigating puppy love, “Adore U” was a blast of bright energy and showcases the strengths of all 13 members which is impressive in itself. The fusion of rap added attitude and mischief to this cute song. The bridge was especially lovely, with thickly layered backing vocals which are literally heavenly thanks to the group’s vocal unit. The quality of “Adore U” was amazingly high for a group of teenagers, and they have gone on to show that it wasn’t a fluke.

13. “Cactus” – A.C.E

Definitely not for the faint of heart, “Cactus” by A.C.E packed on a hell of a punch. The song’s overall sound definitely received divisive opinions, its arrangement and composition are very clever and filled with interesting elements usually not heard in K-Pop, especially at the time of release. Combining a heavy, double-time kick drum with distorted electronics and bass, “Cactus” dived into EDM’s sub-genre of Hardstyle. A tough song for rookies to keep up with A.C.E did a wonderful job of matching the energy of the song through their delivery and choreography.

12. “No More Dream” – BTS

While lines between K-Pop and K-Hip-Hop are constantly being blurred these days, back in the early 2010s idol groups were idol groups, and didn’t easily crossover into genres like hip-hop or the other way around. Therefore, upon debut, BTS needed to do a lot of convincing that they were authentic and proving that a rap-heavy idol group could be successful. And while at the time they weren’t successful, looking back, “No More Dream” was an amazing crossover debut. “No More Dream” proved that it was indeed possible not only through sound but also lyrically. They have always garnered their music towards youth, and “No More Dream”’s raw observations and honest narrative put BTS in the scene as an idol group with an unusual focus on social issues which was quite taboo back then.

11. “Like Ooh-Ahh” – TWICE

Touching people’s hearts twice: once through the ears, and once again through the eyes, TWICE set that standard right from the beginning. “Like Ooh-Ahh” is fun, bright, and vibrant that will get you singing along and dancing out of your seats every time you hear it. The song also features a really amazing dance break which had fans going crazy over even now. The song was also surprisingly mature in its lyrics, visuals, wardrobe, and choreography. The music video followed a clever metaphor as the zombies represented soulless suitors who only pursue the members because they’re attractive girls. In every aspect, the debut laid the groundwork for much of the act’s future singles.

10. “Crown” – TOMORROW x TOGETHER

Beginning with a morse code, TXT’s debut was one of the most anticipated debuts in K-Pop for a while and they had big shoes to fill. With “Crown” they exceeded expectations. Not only did the song sound bright and fresh, it didn’t heavily rely on trends of the year elongating its longevity. Structurally “Crown” was a fairly simple pop song therefore the real flavor was added by the members’ personality and delivery style. The song is an instant earworm and makes its listeners dance right away. But also contains important messages of self-love and uses the metaphor of crown and horns as a way to talk about adolescence and coming-of-age. The music video was different than their contemporaries and dived into their lore just enough so that anyone can watch and enjoy the visuals.

9. “Mr. Ambiguous” – MAMAMOO

Right off the bat, MAMAMOO quickly established their image for K-Pop fans. While many critics would label their versatility as being all over the place, MAMAMOO has been very consistent in one aspect: vocals. “Mr. Ambiguous” was one of the most vocally powerful debuts for a mainstream girl group. The song was classy and bold but also reminiscent of other female songs from the era. Besides the vocals, MAMAMOO members also showcased their prowess as rappers. In many ways “Mr. Ambiguous” did not give the feeling of a rookie debut thanks to its pizzaz.

8. “Mama” – EXO

An opening chant that every K-Pop fan can recognize, kicked off EXO’s career. And while it didn’t become their breakout single, ten years later, “Mama” is still one of the most iconic songs out of SM Entertainment and K-Pop in general. While SME has now become known for their experimental and out-of-the-box style, “Mama” was SM at its peak grandness. With a bombastic mixture of Gregorian chants, heavy metal dance breaks, and rock opera style vocal delivery, “Mama” shows the capacity of K-Pop songs and how far they can push the envelope something very uncommon in any other genre.

7. “Fire” – 2NE1

They set the roof on fire and they are not apologetic about it. “Fire” by 2NE1 was an instant hit not only commercially but also in word-of-mouth popularity with fans rushing to look up the girl group upon the song’s release. The song is a lyrical treasure chest of iconic catchphrases and makes for a perfect hype anthem at a concert. Its use of synthesizers and heavy bass sounded, paired with 2NE1’s powerful aura, generated power that surprised viewers. While the song is a hip-hop-oriented club banger, it also featured melodic and vocal variations. The fiery debut has been hailed as a catalyst in the expansion of the “fierce” and “independent” image aka the “girl crush” concept among girl groups.

6. “Empty” – WINNER

One of the most commercially successful debuts in K-Pop, WINNER entered K-Pop with “Empty,” a track co-written by MINO of the group and iKON’s BOBBY and B.I. Kim Hanbin also handled the production of the song and “Empty” has been argued as one of his best works. The song charted at #1 on multiple charts upon debut and earned them the title of “Monster Rookies”! The melodic hip-hop song contained pensive lyrics about feeling empty inside without the person or thing you loved. The chorus amplified the desperation of the song by bringing in a beautiful falsetto delivery. Since then, WINNER members have become known more for their summer bops, but their simple melodic debut is equally as memorable.

5. “Congratulations” – DAY6

The kings of emo pop-rock music in K-Pop, DAY6 debuted on the scene with “Congratulations,” a song that has continued to chart and trend even seven years later. DAY6 has come to be known for their story-driven music videos and always sharing important messages in them and “Congratulations” was no exception. Co-written and produced by the group members, “Congratulations” begins with a drum intro, soft guitar, and Jae’s smooth vocals and uses the term in a mocking way for someone who broke their heart. The gradual build-up to the chorus is handled skillfully and the vocal delivery in the chorus is done in a way that the pain behind the lyrics is audible. With all the aspects fitting perfectly “Congratulations” was one of the strongest debuts of 2015.

4. “Into The New World” – Girls' Generation

“Into The New World” is another one of those songs whose opening synth riff is one of K-pop’s most iconic and instantly recognizable. Enlisting a polished pop beat with just the right amount of electric guitar “Into The World” sounds like its supposed to be – dawn of a new day. The entire track has the feeling of ascension and makes its listeners feel powerful. This is very evident as the song has been used during protests in Asia and has also become the soundtrack for pride in Asia. Girls’ Generation has a catalog of hit songs that are staples in K-Pop and have showcased their ability to adapt to the changing times but with “Into The New World” the girls created something that fits into any era.

3. “Face” – NU'EST

A bittersweet year for NU’EST, the group announced disbandment after 10 years together. “Face” by NU’EST remains one of the strongest debuts in K-Pop that stood the test of time. Powered by a catchy synth loop and dance beat, these elements supported a very memorable melody. With the dubstep breakdown which was all the rage in 2012, Pledis had truly hit a jackpot with NU’EST only for them to waste it in the following years. Regardless, NU’EST also very cleverly used their lyrics and visuals to explore masculinity and the societal pressures on young men and how it can affect their outlook on the world which the members went on to explore more in their future projects.

2. “Bad Girl, Good Girl” – miss A

So shut up because there is no argument against the greatness of “Bad Girl, Good Girl” by miss A. A pure pop bliss, miss A’s debut was executed perfectly. Delivered almost entirely in a sing-song style, “Bad Girl, Good Girl” was fairly simple and driven by the girls’ boldness and attitude. The lyrics weren’t about crushing on a boy, nor are they bubbly with the excitement of being in love, instead, the girls are warning gossipers to shut up, because they don’t know them. For a rookie girl group, miss A brought sassiness to the K-Pop scene. The longevity of “Bad Girl, Good Girl” is unlike any other. Released over 10 years ago, the song has been covered, parodied, sung at karaoke by multiple generations of idols and fans.

1. “Replay” – SHINee

Noona was pretty and had remained pretty all these years later. SHINee’s debut is hands down the best debut. Not only was the song very well received at the time of release, but it has also remained a classic in K-Pop. “Replay” is a mid-tempo R&B song with a perfect rhythm to dance along to. This song showcases both Shinee’s vocal and dance skills which have become instantly recognizable now. And while the song is very easy to listen to, “Replay” is surprisingly a vocally complicated song but SHINee makes it look and sound effortless. It has the kind of addictive melody that fans of all ages enjoy. The song was the first taste of SHINee’s unique identity. The heartfelt and sentimental style of the song laid the foundation for several “coming-of-age” concepts among the boy groups in the later years.

Top 5 is super solid

but yes

Replay is a wall

Quote from Hopkinz

Proud of AleXa for making the list. I really liked her debut

anyone you would add?

anyone you would take out?

Quote from Jichu

sees #1

Well ofc lulu made this thread

Spreading the gospel ofc

Quote from ZestyMochi

This list is pretty good but I woulda put Latata higher tho

I agree

but idk which song in particular I would have knocked down

What about u?

Quote from Hopkinz

Also I would add Eleven by IVE to the list

True they really got a nice debut

but

Who would have you kicked out?