K-pop fans know groups like BTS, Blackpink, and NCT, but many others deserve global fame. Let's spotlight the most underrated K-pop groups of 2022, including new debuts and smaller entertainment companies. These artists are worth attention. Who are your favorite 'nugu' groups? Vote for the K-pop groups that deserve more recognition.
🔥 2.1K votes
About this list
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Xdinary Heroes is a six-member South Korean boy band under JYP Entertainment, Studio J. They debuted December 6, 2021, with the digital single "Happy Death Day". Their name abbreviates "Extra Ordinary Heroes", meaning "anyone can become a hero".
144 - 3
2022 Releases:
The Collective Soul and Unconscious: Chapter OneSecond mini album with a lead single"GingaMingaYo (The Strange World)"
122 - 6
TRI.BE is a seven-member South Korean girl group. TR Entertainment and Mellow Entertainment manage them. They debuted February 17, 2021, with the single album "TRI.BE Da Loca". Their name combines "Tri" (Triangle, symbolizing perfection) and "Be" (perfect being).
78 - 7
PIXY is a six-member South Korean girl group under ALLART Entertainment and Happy Tribe Entertainment. They debuted February 24, 2021, with the digital single "Wings".
78 - 9
2022 Releases:
76 - 11
Weki Meki, also known as WEME, is a South Korean girl group formed by Fantagio in 2017. The group has eight members: Ji Suyeon, Elly, Choi Yoo-jung, Kim Do-yeon, Sei, Lua, Rina, and Lucy.
73 - 12
KINGDOM is a seven-member South Korean boy group under GF Entertainment. They debuted February 18, 2021, with the mini album History Of Kingdom : PartⅠ. Arthur.
62 - 13
Lightsum is a South Korean girl group from Cube Entertainment. The group has eight members: Sangah, Chowon, Nayoung, Hina, Juhyeon, Yujeong, Huiyeon, and Jian. They debuted June 10, 2021, with the single album Vanilla. Lightsum combines "light" and "sum", symbolizing small things gathering to light up the world, giving hope through positive energy.
62 - 14
Secret Number is a South Korean girl group from Vine Entertainment. The group debuted May 19, 2020, with the single album Who Dis? featuring five members: Léa, Dita, Jinny, Soodam, and Denise. Zuu and Minji joined in October 2021. Denise left the group February 5, 2022.
59 - 16
E'Last, formerly EBoyz, is a South Korean boy band from E Entertainment. The group has eight members: Rano, Choi In, Seungyeop, Baekgyeul, Romin, Won Hyuk, Wonjun, and Yejun. They debuted June 9, 2020, with the mini album Day Dream and the lead single "Swear."
49 - 20
BVNDIT, pronounced "bandit," is a South Korean girl group with MNH Entertainment. Five members make up the group: Songhee, Yiyeon, Simyeong, Jungwoo, and Seungeun. They debuted April 10, 2019, with the digital single "BVNDIT, Be Ambitious!".
44 - 22
Epex is an eight-member South Korean boy band. C9 Entertainment formed the group in 2021. Members include Wish, Keum, Mu, A-Min, Baekseung, Ayden, Yewang, and Jeff. The group debuted June 8, 2021, with the EP "Bipolar Pt.1: Prelude of Anxiety."
37 - 23
Golden Child began as a South Korean boy band under Woollim Entertainment in 2017. They debuted August 28, 2017, with the extended play Gol-Cha!. The group started with eleven members but now has ten, following Park Jae-seok's departure.
33 - 25
Just B is a South Korean boy band from Bluedot Entertainment. Six members comprise the group: Geonu, Bain, Lim Ji-min, JM, DY, and Sangwoo.
29 - 26
Ghost9, stylized as GHOST9, is a South Korean boy group. Maroo Entertainment formed the group in 2019. Ghost9 debuted September 23, 2020, with the EP Pre Episode 1: Door.
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bugAboo is a six-member South Korean girl group with A team Entertainment. They debuted October 25, 2021, with the single album "bugAboo".
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DKB is a South Korean boy band by Brave Entertainment. Nine members make up the group: E-Chan, D1, Lune, Heechan, GK, Junseo, Teo, Yuku, and Harry-June. DKB debuted February 3, 2020, with the mini album Youth.
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Cignature is a South Korean girl group under J9 Entertainment. The group was formerly C9 Girlz and has seven members: Chaesol, Jee Won, Ye Ah, Sunn, Seline, Belle, and Semi. Cignature debuted February 4, 2020, with the single "Nun Nu Nan Na."
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LUNARSOLAR is a four-member South Korean girl group under J Planet Entertainment. They debuted September 2, 2020, with the single album "SOLAR : Flare".
20 - 34
2022 Releases:
Blue Set Chapter 1. Tracks(debut mini album) with lead single"TNT (Truth & Trust)"
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N.Flying is a South Korean rap rock band produced by FNC Entertainment. Kwon Kwangjin, Lee Seunghyub, Cha Hun, and Kim Jaehyun are the members. N.Flying is active in Japan. The name 'N.Flying' comes from 'NEW' and 'Flying,' meaning 'new wings' or 'new escape.' Their first release, Basket, charted second on Oricon’s weekly Indies chart in Japan.
14 - 39
Ciipher is a South Korean boy band made by singer Rain under R.A.I.N. Company. The group includes Tan, Hwi, Hyunbin, Keita, Tag, Dohwan, and Won. They debuted March 15, 2021, with the EP I Like You.
12 - 40
ICHILLIN', a seven-member South Korean girl group under KM Entertainment, debuted September 8, 2021, with the digital single "Got'ya". Their name combines "Aisling" and "Chillin'".
12 - 41
BAE173, a nine-member South Korean boy group under PocketDol Studio, debuted November 19, 2020, with the mini album Intersection : Spark. The name stands for "Before Anyone Else" and includes the number 1 for perfection and 73.
11 - 42
Triple7, styled as Triple Seven and 777, is a seven-member South Korean seasonal project co-ed group under GH Entertainment. The group features members from B.I.G and 3YE. They debuted with the digital single "Presente" on August 10, 2021.
9 - 43
GWSN, also known as Girls in the Park, is a multinational girl group from South Korea, formed by Kiwi Pop, a Kiwi Media Group subsidiary. The group debuted September 5, 2018, with the title track Puzzle Moon from the EP The Park in the Night Part One after introducing members Miya, Seokyoung, Seoryoung, Anne, Minju, Soso, and Lena online.
9 - 44
Hi-L, an acronym for High Insight Libre, is a six-member South Korean girl group under Kpop Live Entertainment. They debuted August 11, 2021, with the mini album Go High.
8 - 46
Bling Bling, a six-member South Korean girl group under MAJOR9, debuted November 17, 2020, with the digital single "G.G.B".
6 - 48
Rocking Doll, a four-member South Korean girl group under SRP Entertainment, debuted December 19, 2021, with the self-titled digital single "Rocking Doll".
6 - 49
2022 Releases:
6 - 50
HOT ISSUE, a seven-member South Korean girl group under S2 Entertainment, debuted April 28, 2021, with the mini album Issue Maker. The group name is an abbreviation of "Honest, Outstanding and Terrific" plus "Issue".
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