These Were The 10 Biggest K-Pop Group Debuts Of 2021
2021 is coming to a close, and it’s a good time to reflect back on this past year and all of the great K-Pop music that came out during this time! We saw comebacks from iconic older groups to fresh new debuts from rookie groups just getting into the industry, and everything in between!
This year saw many interesting and talented young idols making their debut in new K-Pop groups from both big and small companies. Here’s a look back at the 10 biggest debuts from 2021, who will undoubtedly continue to flourish into the next year!
10. OMEGA X
OMEGA X debuted on June 30th under Spire Entertainment with the song “Vamos” and mini-album of the same name. Currently, the music video for “Vamos” has around 6.4 million views.
Though their debut album sold only around 18.4k copies, their second release of the year, the single album What’s Goin’ On released on September 6, leaped in sales with over 56k copies sold! The music video for “What’s Goin On” also has done better, currently at 10.7 million views.
9. TRI.BE
TRI.BE debuted under TR Entertainment and Universal Music Group on February 17 with the song “Doom Doom Ta” and first single album Tri.be Da Loca. This first album of theirs sold around 4.7k copies, and the music video currently has around 8.1 million views.
Their next single album, Conmigo, was released on May 18 and sold just under 5k copies, with the accompanying title track, “Rub-A-Dum”, currently at 14.3 million views. Finally, their most recent release — the EP Veni Vidi Vici, which came out on October 12 — has sold around 7.9k copies, and the music video for the title track “Would You Run” is at 15.3 million views!
8. LUMINOUS
LUMINOUS is a four-member boy group that debuted on September 9 under Barunson WIP with the mini-album Youth and title track “Run”.
Besides the pre-debut EP they released, Luminous Dreaming, in August of this year, Youth is their only release so far! The music video for “Run” currently has 10.2 million views.
7. JUST B
JUST B debuted under Bluedot Entertainment on June 30 with their first EP Just Burn and the title track “Damage” (which was produced by Bang Yongguk!). This first album for the six-member boy group has sold 21.6k copies, and the music video currently has 14.1 million views.
Since then, they have released one other album — the single album Just Beat and accompanying title track, “Tick Tock”. This album has made over 28.2k sales, and the music video for “Tick Tock” has around 10.3 million views.
6. bugAboo
The six-member group bugAboo debuted on October 25 under A Team Entertainment with the single album bugAboo and title track of the same name.
The album has so far sold around 6.5k copies, and the music video for “bugAboo” is currently at 15.8 million views!
5. MIRAE
MIRAE debuted under DSP Media on March 17 with the EP KILLA and title track of the same name. This first album from the seven-member boy group has sold around 30.2k units, and the music video for “KILLA” currently has just over 15.8 million views.
They’ve released one other album so far: The EP Splash, which came out on August 25 and also has a title track of the same name. The album has so far sold just under 50k copies, and the music video for “Splash” has over 20 million views!
4. LIGHTSUM
Eight-member girl group LIGHTSUM is the most recently debuted group under Cube Entertainment. They debuted on June 10 with the single album Vanilla and title track of the same name, which have made 41.1k sales and have 19.2 million views respectively.
They’ve since released one other album, the single album Light A Wish, which came out on October 13. This album has sold 28.4k units, and the music video for the title track, “Vivace”, has 21.4 million views!
3. PURPLE KISS
PURPLE KISS is the first girl group to debut under RBW since MAMAMOO debuted in 2014! They debuted on March 15 with the EP Into Violet and title track “Ponzona”; the album currently has made just under 30k sales, and the music video is at 21.6 million views.
Since their debut, they’ve also released another EP, Hide & Seek, with the title track “Zombie”, on September 8. The album has sold 43.9k copies so far, and the music video is at 18.4 million views.
2. T1419
T1419 debuted on January 11 under MLD Entertainment with the single album Before Sunrise Part. 1 and accompanying lead single, “Asurabalbalta”. The album has sold just under 17k copies, and the music video for “Asurabalbalta” currently has an impressive 31.9 million views!
They’ve since released two other single albums, Before Sunrise Part. 2 and Before Sunrise Part. 3 with the title tracks “Exit” and “Flex” respectively. Part. 2 has made 26.5k sales while Part. 3 has made 23.8k, and the music videos currently have 20.8 million and 25.4 million views respectively.
1. IVE
And finally, the biggest debut of 2021 is the six-member girl group IVE! They debuted under Starship Entertainment on December 1 with the single album Eleven and title track of the same name. Member Rei is actually the first Japanese idol to debut under this label!
Their debut album has sold an incredible 171.9k sales so far (and will likely continue to go up!), and the music video for “Eleven” is currently at 39.0 million views.
