Top 5 K-Pop Artists to Watch in 2015 (according to billboard)

[benihime99.livejournal.com]

In the ultra-competitive K-pop world, it's extremely tough for a new act to place themselves among the top stars. While these five artists have not yet broken into the market's mainstream consciousness, based on fan anticipations, past chart performance, YouTube views and industry talk, Billboard has picked the five acts who seem primed to make a splash in 2015.

iKon
Following a very similar path to 2014 breakout stars WINNER, Korean super-label YG Entertainment created their latest boy band on a competition reality show where K-pop hopefuls competed to be a part of the hip-hop-focused septet iKon. With their debut single still in the works, iKon members Bobby and BI have been garnering attention for verses in tracks like Hi Suhyun's "I'm Different" and Epik High's "Born Hater," the latter track being a breakthrough moment in cementing Bobby as an up-and-coming MC to keep an eye on.

MAMAMOO
This soulful girl group is garnering loads of attention for focusing on talent and vocals above all else. With a retro-based sound that highlights their superb singing and rapping skills, it feels like only a matter of time until the cool quartet have a signature song that cements them amongst the top girl groups.

G.Soul
After 15 years of training in JYP Entertainment (home to Wonder Girls, 2PM), G.Soul made his K-pop duet with the stunning R&B ballad "You." While the 26-year-old dropped his debut EP You to acclaim, 15 years is a long time to wait -- this singer is hungry for more and we're excited for what he's going to bring to the table.

Joo Young
Before 2014, Joo Young gained a strong underground following for his YouTube covers and occasional collaborations with artists like Lyn. But the budding star broke out late last year when he collaborated with SISTAR member Hyolyn for "Erase" -- one of the best K-pop songs of the year. Starship Entertainment (the label home to SISTAR and K.Will) has nicknamed him their "secret weapon" with all seemingly ready for his attack on the industry.

GFRIEND
Longtime K-pop fans will vividly remember when Girls' Generation made their debut with their sugary single "Into the New World" in 2007. Fast forward to 2015 when Girls' Generation has proven to be an unshakable K-pop force, new girl groups are taking cues. From its sweet sound to non-stop choreography, GFRIEND's debut single "Glass Bead" has drawn comments for the undeniable nostalgia it brings for the "Into the New World" days. Along with up-and-coming girl group Lovelyz, GFRIEND are leading a new wave of female acts with a classic innocent look, leaving 2014's uber-popular "sexy" trend behind.

billboard

Comments

[iznanassi.livejournal.com]

Here for Jooyoung and some recognition for the glory that was Erase tbh

[jesymphony.livejournal.com]

Here with you too, that song was my jam and the lives with Hyorin were absolutely perfect from concept to choreo to everything.

[achan123.livejournal.com]

+1

[agoongprincess.livejournal.com]

mte

[love-keiko.livejournal.com]

yeah that song and his solo song on that release was BEAUTIFUL.

[nekokonneko.livejournal.com]

people really liked glass bead that much? yay for mamamoo :3

[love-quake.livejournal.com]

can't wait for iKON and yay to mamamoo!

[frequency.livejournal.com]

except for ikon, this is actually a pretty good list. glad to see g.soul on there. :D

[jesymphony.livejournal.com]

MAMA MAMA MOOOOO

Only a matter of time. They're so likeable and talented and they have such a defined image and sound already.

Also GFriend are gonna have a hard time living up to their debut hype when they have a comeback after Glass Bead. I like them so I hope they can ride this wave successfully.

[a-cheshire-grin.livejournal.com]

2015 will be MAMAMOO's year! I can feel it! *.*<3

But I'm also curious how Lovelyz and GFRIEND will do. I loved both of their debut songs!

[a-cheshire-grin.livejournal.com]

Yes, I read about this somewhere. This whole situation makes me so freaking sad and angry. She worked hard for a chance to debut and it was all ruined by some baseless (and horrible...seriously, who makes stuff like this up?! -.-'') rumours.

I wonder if she is out of the group now? She hasn't performed with them yet, right?!

Thanks for the link. I'll save it, if I ever need to prove to somebody how fucked up the world is! x.x

[seroquels.livejournal.com]

MAMAMOO!! Yes, pls love them! I really hope this is a good year for them! I don't want them to peek too soon though.

Actually, I agree with this entire list. *pleased*

[blueglassbeads.livejournal.com]

I'm trying to pay attention to MAMAMOO, but I'll probably have to give them a year because right now they're just really.... watered down, I guess.

[boiinks2.livejournal.com]

Yes at mamamoo getting all this recognition. They're so good performance-wise.

This is a pretty god list. I'm wondering if iKon will even make it out this year (also wasn't the new YG girl group supposed to come out in november).

I like Gfriend but let's not pretend like the "classic innocent look" isn't also for sexual-titillation.

[rixythewraith.livejournal.com]

the YG girl group is never coming lmao he's been teasing them since 2011

[boiinks2.livejournal.com]

so they're already being treated like 2ne1: put on the backburn so the male artists can get their shine. hmmm

[rixythewraith.livejournal.com]

it's beyond the 2ne1 shit like Yg keeps giving out tiny new teasers and hyping jenny kim and he won't shut up about the girl group but...there is no girl group. Apparently members keep leaving (bc he never gets round to debuting them) and he just has no idea?? Like he should stop talking about them if he's not going to do anything with them, at least give Jenny Kim a solo career or smth

[mjspice.livejournal.com]

Yas @ Mamamoo!

[lostnoodle0317.livejournal.com]

still cannot understand the hype behind g.soul but ok, billboard...

[laeryn.livejournal.com]

YASSSS to MAMAMOO. And G.Soul.

[setsuna16.livejournal.com]

They ain't wrong, Erase was simply amazing.

I will look forward to anything Joo Young puts out that I am made aware of after hearing that song.

[agoongprincess.livejournal.com]

mamamoo im ready for them to dominate 2015. joo young as well

[diicca.livejournal.com]

Mamamoo, future omona queens

[love-keiko.livejournal.com]

wow---a list that i 100% agree with?! even tho i have like zero expectations for ikon i respect their placement on the list.

i love when kpop fans say they hate jpop but then gfriend drops glass bead (straight up jpop beat) and it's the best thing ever, lol. they deserve to be on the list. glass bead is a pretty song and plus a MILLION for the GREAT choreography. i feel like they could've really phoned it in with this one but they didnt and the result is just lovely.

[kobrakiddo.livejournal.com]

Jooyoung! So glad he's getting some recognition already. He's so precious :D