2023 Recap: A Look Back To Refreshing Releases By Underrated Boygroups Last Year

2023 was a year of musical discovery, especially with underrated boy groups making waves in the industry. This retrospective journey delves into the year's remarkable creations, celebrating the unsung talents that captivated audiences with their unique sounds and innovative approaches. From evocative melodies to boundary-pushing compositions, these boy groups defied expectations, leaving an indelible mark on the music landscape.

Check out refreshing releases by underrated new boy groups last year. 

1. THE NEW SIX's 'Kick It 4 Now'

The New Six, formerly known as TNX, are a 4th-generation boy group debuted off of the survival program "SBS LOUD." Their latest release, 'Kick It 4 Now', has the older generation, retro-type sound and when paired with the members' sweet and unique voices, make for the perfect K-Pop song! From their sweet vocals and the jumpy rapping to the addictive choreography, 'Kick It 4 Now' really is a release worth checking out. Be sure to give both the Korean and English versions a listen, as the both of them are equally as amazing!

2. 82MAJOR's 'Sure Thing'

82MAJOR, who debuted October of this year, released a track prior to the groups official debut titled 'Sure Thing'! 'Sure Thing' is an addictive, fun, and jumpy love song! Having both an official choreography and a challenge version created for TikTok, Sure Thing briefly made it's rounds through multiple idols doing the challenge! 82MAJOR, though only recently debuted, have released music on both sides of the K-Pop spectrum! Their official debut, 'First Class', is the polar opposite of the cute, loving sound of 'Sure Thing', and yet the group pulled off both sounds perfectly! With a future as bright as theirs, you would not want to miss checking them out!

3. TEMPEST's 'Dangerous'

TEMPEST, who debuted in March of 2022, came out with yet another lively, fun track on their 4th EP album, "THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM." TEMPEST always embodies the refreshing sound in their music perfectly, and 'Dangerous' is no exception to that! With fun lyrics and a gorgeous choreography, TEMPEST once more delivered with both a beautiful title track and a beautiful EP overall! The funky, retro-type sound gives it a nostalgic yet timeless sound, making it the perfect summer song! The song manages to highlight all of the members’ strengths and truly makes each member shine, TEMPEST is really a boy group worth checking out. They’ve carried the fun, refreshing sound throughout multiple songs, as well! I would recommend skimming through their discography to find your favorite!

4. POW's 'Dazzling'

POW, GRID Entertainment's first group, debuted with an amazing EP titled "Favorite," with the beautiful, calm, and lovely song, 'Dazzling'! With both beautiful music video scenery and even more beautiful vocals, 'Dazzling' is really one of the best debut songs to come out this year. An amazingly sweet, summer-type love song, what is there not to love about POW? The 5 boys' remaining songs on their debut EP can all fall into the category of refreshing, fun, calm, and sweet kpop, so for that reason I would recommend listening through and finding which of their songs suit your taste best!

5. LUN8's 'Wild Heart'

LUN8, who is Fantagio Entertainment’s first boy group in 7 years, debuted with an amazing mini album titled "Continue?" with the title tracks 'Wild Heart' and 'Voyager' on June 15th, 2023! Both of LUN8’s title tracks have the fun, upbeat sound that kpop has been missing. LUN8 have a perfect balance of rapping, vocals, and dance within their 8 lovely members. Each of the members do truly have such a beautiful and unique set of charms and skills, making each one of them an idol to fall for! Although a newly debuted group, LUN8 definitely have what it takes to become a popular artist. Do tune into 'Wild Heart' and make sure to check them out, I promise it’ll be worth it!

6. NINE.i's 'Turn It Off'

NINE.i, a fully self-produced group under FirstOne Entertainment, made another amazing comeback with the song 'Turn It Off' and the mini album "New Mind"! NINE.i's music falls under their own category of "NINE.i Pop", in the words of the groups all-rounder, producer and lyricist, Vahn, who has been credited on their music and even those of other groups since debut. All of NINE.i's music has a certain vibe and sound to it that only the group themselves can properly replicate, truly making them one of a kind! NINE.i has consistently put out amazing, refreshing, and fun music, making one feel bubbly and giddy just listening to it. Definitely make sure to tune into Turn It Off along with NINE.i's music as a whole, you will be anything but disappointed!

7. EPEX's 'Sunshower'

EPEX, an 8-member boy group under C9 Entertainment, made an amazing comeback this year titled 'Sunshower'! EPEX has been a group who has tried and experimented with multiple different sounds and vibes in their music since their debut in 2021, and 'Sunshower' really struck gold with the fun, cheery, and groovy vibe! The lyrics slightly contrasting with the feel of the song, 'Sunshower' is truly musical genius, and yet another one of the best releases by a boy group this year! With a balance of the members honey-like vocals and their strong and powerful rapping style, EPEX is truly a group worth checking out!

8. ATBO's 'Next To Me'

ATBO, a 7-member group who debuted off of the survival show "The Origin: A, B, Or What?" released 'Next To Me' in May of 2023, a song that perfectly embodies the fun, retro, and old-school type of sound in K-Pop! With one of the strongest rap lines of recent boy groups, ATBO opened 'Next To Me' with such an amazing rap verse, followed by amazing vocals and an outstanding, difficult, and pleasing to the eye choreography, a common staple to ATBO, 'Next To Me' is a song deserving of everything and more. The song really captures the vibes of living care-free and having fun, and truly is one of the groups strongest releases. Be sure to check these 7 amazing boys out, as ATBO is a group who could never disappoint!

9. AMPERS&ONE's 'On And On'

AMPERS&ONE, a group freshly debuted in November of 2023, came out with the jumpy and energetic song 'On an On' and the single album "AMPERSAND ONE"! A group with strong presence, rapping, and even stronger vocals, AMPERS&ONE is really a rookie group you don't want to miss checking out! 'On And On''s sound is really something else, having an addictive chorus and an amazing ending, it really is a song that proved they have the potential of becoming something extremely popular. The song features a strong instrumental alongside the groups strong skill set, with a fun and eye-catching choreography to tie it all together. AMPERS&ONE really did something amazing with this release, and I can tell that their future has a lot in store for them.

10. The Wind's 'WE GO'

The Wind, debuted newly on May 15, 2023 with 'Island', is a young boy group whose music focuses on the fun, refreshing aspect of youth! The Wind’s sweet, fresh, and soft vocals alongside their fairy-like, whimsical instrumentals make for one extremely lively and sweet boy group. The endearing members of this group are all so cute and charming in multiple ways, it is genuinely difficult to look past their charms!  With so much time and experience ahead of them, The Wind really is a group that is worth your attention. Be sure to check out We Go as well as The Wind’s other releases, like Summer Vacation and Sirius!

11. AIMERS' 'Bubble'

AIMERS, who debuted in November of 2022, released yet another fun and lively track, 'Bubble'! Their concept is really lively and listening to 'Bubble' will make you feel so happy and giddy, it makes you want to get up and join in on their fun choreography! AIMERS has always put out music falling into this category of refreshing, fun, and happy music, but 'Bubble' in particular really will put a smile on anyone who listens' face. The song has SUCH an addicting chorus, even one listen would keep it playing on a loop in your head! Definitely give AIMERS lots of love and support, they deserve it all and more!

12. FANTASY BOYS' 'New Tomorrow'

FANTASY BOYS, a newly debuted group off of the MBC survival show of the same name, made their debut with the EP and title track of 'New Tomorrow'! Fantasy Boys really captured the essence of the fairy-like, cheerful, and giddy sound with 'New Tomorrow', really. The group has such a beautiful vocal line, and they really were put to use in the song! The earworm of a chorus mixed with a fun, energetic choreography makes for the perfect balance of a kpop song, and FANTASY BOYS deserves all the credit. The members have worked insanely hard since pre-debut, they truly are such a wonderful group who deserve the most. Be sure to tune into 'New Tomorrow' as well as FANTASY BOYS' first comeback, 'Potential'!

13. WEi's 'Overdrive'

WEi, who debuted in October of 2020 with the song 'Twilight', have once more come out with an amazing, fresh, and unique comeback! WEi as a group have such a wide range of music sound and talents, their music truly isn’t any to miss. They’ve pulled off multiple different concepts, sounds, and choreographies that make the six boys a group worth giving all your love and attention to. 'Overdrive' really is a true embodiment of the fun, cheerful, and jumpy sound in K-Pop. Be sure to check out both the Korean and English versions of 'Overdrive' as well as WEi’s discography as a whole for a wonderful mix of music!

14. TRENDZ's 'New Dayz'

TRENDZ, who debuted in early 2022 with 'TNT (Truth&Trust)', came out with a groovy, catchy, and fun song, 'New Dayz'! The song really is amazing. TRENDZ is a multi-talented group with 7 amazingly talented members, and 'New Dayz' really is a representation of what the group has to offer. An amazing showcase of vocals, rap, and especially performance, TRENDZ is a group deserving of so much more attention than they have already! Do be sure to give 'New Dayz' a listen along with the groups most recent comeback, 'MY WAY'!

15. HAWW's 'How Are You'

And finally, freshly debuted in February of this year, HAWW made a beautiful entrance with their first EP "HOW R U" with the title track 'How Are You'! With a very cute and fun sound, their title track has a sound that’s very sweet to the ears. 'How Are You' has both sickeningly sweet lyrics and a fun, upbeat choreography that does nothing but wow the viewers! HAWW is a genuinely multi-talented group with an insane skill set that is deserving of so much more love. For the most part, the B-sides on the album follow HAWW’s sweet sound and concept! Definitely be sure to check these seven boys out, it’ll be worth it.

These boy groups really gave us some of the best music of last year, and I do hope that any one of them caught your eye! Be sure to give them all a listen, and hopefully this year, they can all return with new releases and a warm welcome to each one.