Size doesn't matter when it comes to making a big impact in the K-Pop industry. Our adored female idols may be more petite in stature, but their incredible talents and captivating charm transcend any measure of height. In this article, we will be listing down 4th generation female idols, standing below 158cm, prove that greatness comes in all heights!

Check it out below!

Data was retrieved from various sources online. 

 

1. (G)I-DLE's SoYeon - 157 cm

 

2. Kep1er's YeSeo - 157 cm

 

3. Cherry Bullet's HaeYoon - 157 cm

 

4. fromis_9's Park JiWon - 157cm

 

5. CLASS:y's Park BoEun - 157 cm

 

6. ILY:1's NaYu - 157 cm

 

7. ILY:1's Ara - 156 cm

 

8. CLASS:y's Kim RiWon - 156 cm

 

9. Primrose's Ruby - 156 cm

 

10. Kep1er's Hikaru - 155 cm

 

11. LIGHTSUM's NaYoung - 155 cm

 

12. Former bugAboo's EunChae - 154 cm

 

13. Loossemble's YeoJin - 151 cm

Which female idol on this list is your favorite? Let us know in the comments section below.

 

2022 looks like a promising year in the world of K-Pop. With 2021 having had so many successful debuts, we can't wait to see who debuts in 2022.

If you are curious to learn about the groups which have made their debut in 2021, find out more below.

So far in 2022, Kpopmap has noticed that there are many groups confirmed to make their debut in 2022. Stay tuned to this article to find out who they are and when they will debut.

 

1. YOUNITE 

Brand New Music has launched a full-fledged debut plan for their new boy group. This new boy group is Brand New Music's first group with a large number of members. The group will consist of multi-talented members, including Lee EunSang, who is currently working as a solo artist.

They will be debuting in the first half of 2022.

Update: Read more about YOUNITE and the members in this article.  YOUNITE debuted on Apr. 20 with their first mini-album "YOUNI-BIRTH".

 

2. NMIXX

JYP will introduce a new girl group for the first time in three years since ITZY. Without disclosing any information about the rookie group, JYP held an unusual promotion to pre-sell their debut single in a limited edition, "Blind Package," and recorded 61,667 pre-orders. Three members JinNi, JiWoo, and KyuJin. can be seen for the first time in the cover video of Cardi B's "Press".

Here is what we know about JYP's new girl group so far.

Update: The group's name has been announced to be NMIXX. Meet the members of the group in this article. They debuted on 22 February 2022 with 'AD MARE'.

Update: JinNi is no longer part of the group.

 

3. BLAZE

BLAZE is a pre-debut group under MUGIT Entertainment that currently consists of three members. The members were originally part of a dance team.

They are expected to debut in the first half of 2022.

Update: BLAZE will likely debut as 2 members. They filmed their debut music video with only 2 members (HaeNa and SaeHa).

Update: The duo debuted on Jan. 28 with the digital single 'Funny Game'.

 

4. TEMPEST

TEMPEST is a pre-debut boy group under YueHua Entertainment. This group will allegedly consist of Ahn HyeongSeop and  Lee EuiWoong who were both contestants on "Produce 101 Season 2" and Han Bin who was a contestant on "I-LAND". Nothing has been confirmed yet.

Here are 3 facts about Yuehua's new boy group TEMPEST.

Update: TEMPEST made their debut on Mar. 2, with their album "It's ME, It's WE" and title track 'Bad News'. Read all about their debut showcase here.

 

5. TAN

"Extreme Debut: Wild Idol" is an MBC variety show where trainees have to fight to become idols out in the wild. The show uses extreme criteria to eventually choose 7 boys who will become part of a new boy group.

The group's debut date has not been confirmed yet, however, the show started in Sep. 2021, and is still airing, meaning that the group is likely to debut in 2022.

Read about the contestants who made big impressions from the first episode and the interesting way that they have their names revealed, too.

Update: The group's name is TAN and their debut has been confirmed for 2022. Meet the members of TAN who made the final debut group. They debuted on March 10 with the mini-album "1TAN" and the title track 'FIX YOU'.

 

6. TNX

P NATION LOUD is one of the resulting debut teams from the survival program "LOUD" with 7 members. Their debut date has yet to be confirmed but they are likely to debut in 2022.

Here are 3 facts to know about P NATION's first-ever boy group. One of their members even got attention for choosing to debut under P NATION despite passing the auditions to become a trainee at SM Entertainment, read more about that here.

Update: P NATION announced that Koki would not be debuting with the current group as they feel he still needs to undergo more training. P NATION LOUD is now a 6-member boy group. Their official name has also been announced as TNX.

Update: TNX made their debut on May 17 with their mini-album "WAY UP".

 

7. mimiirose

This group is a 6-member pre-debut girl group under Yes IM Entertainment. Their CEO is non-other than the famous Korean ballad singer Lim ChangJung. They are said to be debuting in March or April of 2022.

Update: The group debuted on Sep. 16. with the single album 'AWESOME'.

 

8. &TEAM

The audition program &AUDITION will be held in Japan and released on YouTube next year. K, Nicholas, EJ, Taki, and previous contestants from Mnet's "I-LAND" will join the show to become HYBE's new boy group.

Update: The show is called "&AUDITION - The Howling" and will start airing in July. Read all about it and the members of the group in this article.

Update: &TEAM debuted on Dec. 7 with the mini-album "First Howling: Me" and title track 'Under The Skin'.

 

9. NewJeans

HYBE announced a new independent label called ADOR headed by Min HeeJin. They are preparing to debut a new girl group in 2022 that will have members recruited during HYBE's 2019 "Plus Global Audition".

Update: The group's name has been announced and they are called 'NewJeans'. They have pre-released music but will make their official debut on August 1st. Read all about the group in this article.

Update: NewJeans made their official debut on August 1st with their EP "New Jeans".

 

10. TRENDZ

TRENDZ is a pre-debut 7-member boy group under Interpark Music Plus that was formerly known as INTER BOYS. They are said to be debuting in January of 2022.

Learn 3 things we know about TRENDZ (Inter Boys) so far here. You can also read about the TRENDZ members' height from tallest to shortest.

Update: TRENDZ debuted on Jan. 5 with their first mini album "Blue Set Chapter 1. Tracks".

 

11. H1-KEY

H1-KEY is a 4-member girl group under Grandline Group. They will debut on Jan. 5. You can read an exclusive interview with Sitala (one of their members) in this article.

Update: H1-KEY debuted on Jan. 5 with 'ATHLETIC GIRL'.

Update: Member Sitala left the group in May for personal reasons.

 

12. Kep1er

At the start of the year, Mnet mentioned that they will be launching a new project to create a new girl group with members from Korea, Japan, and China called "GIRLS PLANET 999". More information about the program can be found here.

While they are still recruiting participants until mid-February, it is still unsure when they will be broadcasting the first episode and eventually debut the new group.

Update: The final debut group has been chosen. Their name is Kep1er. Here is an article with everything we know about Kep1er so far. If you are curious about the heights of the Kep1er readers, you can see them here. Kep1er was set to debut on Dec. 14, 2021. Unfortunately, due to one of their staff members testing positive for COVID-19, their debut has been postponed to Jan. 3, 2022.

Read up about some of netizens' favorite contestants on the show so far. You can also see some of the most viewed performances from the first few episodes.

Update: Kep1er debuted with their 1st mini album "FIRST IMPACT" and the title track 'WA DA DA' on January 3rd.

 

13. LAPILLUS

MLD Entertainment will be debuting a new girl group in the first half of 2022. So far, they have announced two members of the group. One is Chantal Videla (who is Filipino and Argentinian) and Nonaka Shana (from "GIRLS PLANET 999").

Read more about Chantal Videla in this article.

Update: The group debuted on June 20. Learn more about the group and all of the members in this article.

 

14. GOT: Girls On Top

SM Entertainment has formed a project girl group consisting of BoA, Girls' Generation's TaeYeon and HyoYeon, Red Velvet's SeulGi and Wendy, and aespa's Karina and Winter. They will performing a special stage at the SMCU EXPRESS concert in January.

Update: The group released their first song 'Step Back' on Jan. 3.

 

15. ILY:1

FCENM will be debuting a 6-member girl group in the first half of 2022 including contestants from "GIRLS PLANET 999".

Update: FCENM revealed the final members of the group and they include Hana, Ririka, Rona, Nayu, Ara, and Elva. ILY:1 were initially going to debut on March 15 but their debut got postponed to April 4.

Update: ILY:1 made their debut on April 4 with the single album "Love in Bloom".

 

16. CLASSy - "My Teenage Girl" girl group

"My Teenage Girl" is a survival show that will air until February 2022. The show aims to debut a 7-member girl group with an international reach.

Update: The group's name is CLASSy and the final debut group has been revealed. Meet the members of CLASSy and learn 3 things about the group in this article.

CLASSy made their debut on May 5 with the mini-album "Class Is Over".

 

17. BLANK2Y

Keystone Boyz is a pre-debut 9-member boy group under Keystone Entertainment. Two members have been announced so far (YoungBin and TaeWoo). Their debut date has not been confirmed but they will be releasing content in the form of a show to their fans in March.

Read up on the final 9 members of BLANK2Y in this article. You can read up YoungBin and SungJun modeling for Seoul Fashion week here.

Update: Keystone Entertainment has announced that their group name is BLANK2Y. They debuted on May 24, 2022. Read about their debut here.

 

18. CSR (First Love)

05Class is a 7-member pre-debut girl group under JPlanet Entertainment. They were scheduled to debut in the remainder of 2021 but there has been no recent news about their debut. The group gets its name from the fact that all of the members were born in 2005.

Update: 05Class have changed their name to CSR (which stands for 'First Love' in Korean). They debuted on July 28 with their 1st mini-album "Sequence : 7272".

 

19. VIVIZ

VIVIZ is a 3-member group under BPM Entertainment that consists of 3 former members of the girl group GFRIEND. The members are SinB, EunHa, and UmJi. The group was expected to debut sometime at the end of 2021 but their debut date has not been confirmed yet.

Here are 4 reasons to look forward to VIVIZ's debut.

Update: VIVIZ's made their debut on 9 February 2022 with their first EP "Beam of Prism".

 

20. LE SSERAFIM

HYBE and BigHit Labels are said to be working on multiple groups to debut. This is one of them. This girl group was set to debut in the second half of 2021 but a specific date has not been given yet. However, here are 4 things that we know about the group so far.

Update: Miyawaki Sakura and Kim ChaeWon have been confirmed to be in the group. The 6-member group will be called LE SSERAFIM and debut on May 2nd.

Meet the members of the group in this article. Read more about why fans are looking forward to member Sakura's re-debut here too. They debuted on May 2, 2o22 with their album "FEARLESS". You can read fans' reactions to their debut here.

Update: LE SSERAFIM is now a 5-member girl group.

 

21. ATBO

IST Entertainment announced that they will be launching a new boy group from a survival show that will premiere in February. The group is said to debut in the first half of 2022.

Update: The show will be airing from February 26 and is called "THE ORIGIN: A, B, Or What?". The show premiere has been postponed to March 19 due to some trainees testing positive for COVID-19.

Meet the 13 contestants of "THE ORIGIN: A, B, Or What?" and learn details about the show in this article.

Here are some of netizens' favorite contestants in the show so far.

Update (May 2022): The final lineup of members has been announced and the group's name is ABØ. They will debut in the second half of this year.

Update: Due to fans' concerns IST Entertainment has changed the group's name to ATBO. Read 3 things we know about the group so far in this article.

Update: One member in the initial group lineup has changed from Yang DongHwa to WonBin. ATBO debuted on July 27 with the mini-album "The Beginning : 開花".

 

22. XG

XG is a global girl group that will debut on March 18 under XGALX. The group consists of 7 members. Meet the members in this article.

Update: XG made their debut on Mar. 18 with their single 'Tippy Toes'.

 

23. Mamadol

Mamadol or M.M.D is a 6-member girl group formed through the show "Mama The Idol". They debuted on Jan. 28 with the single 'Mama The Idol'. The show was about mothers returning to the idol life and featured members from K-Pop groups such as Wonder Girls, After School, Jewelry, and more.

 

24. ABLUE

ABLUE is a 6-member boy group under J-Star Entertainment set to debut sometime in 2022 but the official date has not been announced yet.

Update: They made their debut on Oct. 223 with the single album "Carnival".

 

25. JWiiver

JWiiver is a 7-member boy group that debuted under Starweave Entertainment on February 17. They released a mini-album called "Jtrap".

 

26. NINE.i

NINE.i is a 10-member boy group that is expected to debut in the first half of 2022. They are under FirstOne entertainment.

Update: NINE.i made their debut on Mar. 30 at 6 PM KST. Meet the members in this article. You can also meet Thai member Winnie in this article.

 

27. Black Level

Black Level is a 6-member boy group that debuted on Feb. 26 with the mini-album "New-Start". They are under VT Entertainment.

Update: 4 members of the group have left to pursue their idol dreams individually. VT Entertainment says the group will be reorganized and come back in the future.

 

28. PRIKIL

PRIKIL is a 5-member Japanese girl group that will debut under FNC Entertainment. They debuted with their single 'SOMEBODY' on May 4th.

The group’s styling is a reflection of their youthful, energetic vibe. The contrast of Fuchsia pink and black adds the necessary statement effect that every new band on the block needs.

Every element in the image shows they’re up to style with all the latest trends - the polka dots, shrug, tulle top, pink leather jacket, and sheer pink bottom are all there, not by chance!

Meet the members of the group in this article.

 

29. Girls' World

Girls' World is a 4-member girl group under Liz Entertainment. They were expected to debut on May 23rd but their debut date has been moved to June 20th.

Update: They debuted on June 20 with the digital single album "Rapunzel".

 

30. FAINIT

FAINIT is a 5-member girl group under FAINIT company. The group's concept is about crossing between the realms of fantasy and reality.

Update: They made their debut on June 13th with the single 'Killer' but are speculated to have since disbanded after going inactive.

 

31. SUPERKIND

SUPERKIND is a 5-member pre-debut boy group under Deep Studio Entertainment. They are set to debut on June 30th and are said to be debuting an AI male idol as well. Learn more about the group here.

Update: SUPERKIND debuted on June 20 with their digital single 'PlaySuperkind : Apply for a Beta Test'.

 

32. IRRIS

IRRIS is a 4-member group under JUSTICE RECORDS. They debuted on July 6th with the mini-album "Wanna Know".

 

33. Queenz Eye

Queenz Eye is a 6-member group under Big Mountain Entertainment. Member Hwang ChaeWon is a former WM Entertainment trainee and member Kang DaMin was on "Produce 48". The group debuted on Oct. 24th with the single album "QUEENZ TABLE".

 

34. We;Na

We;Na is a 4-member girl group under Shine E&M. They debuted on Sep. 5th with their digital single 'Like Psycho'.

 

35. FIFTY FIFTY

FIFTY FIFTY is a 4-member girl group under ATTRAKT that debuted with their first album "The Fifty" on Nov. 18.

 

36. UiU

UiU is a 5-member girl group formed on a survival show called "Untact Idol Unit" which also happens to be what their name stands for. They debuted on Jul. 11 with 'Starlit'.

 

37. POA

Project on Air (POA) is a 5-member girl group under HANDMADE and KMG that debuted on Sep. 21 with a self-titled single.

 

38. ARTBEAT

ARTBEAT is a 7-member girl group under AB Creative. They debuted on Nov. 16 with their mini album "MAGIC".

 

39. WeNU

WeNU is a 6-member boy group that made its debut on Nov. 30 with the digital single 'Haru Haru'.

 

40. DIGNITY

DIGNITY is a new group under PCS Entertainment. One of the members, Luo, was a former member of the group MASC. They debuted with their single, 'RAMBO' on Sept. 23.

 

Are there any other K-Pop groups that will debut in 2022 that you know of? Let us know in the comments.

 

2022 has been an incredible year for K-Pop, with the emergence of a new generation well on its way to world domination. It also marked the return of legendary groups like BIGBANG, Girls' Generation, and KARA and representative icons like BTS, BLACKPINK, TWICE, SEVENTEEN, and Red Velvet. Rookie and rising K-Pop groups who affirmed their claim to fame this year include LE SSERAFIM, NMIXX, Kep1er, IVE, STAYC, TREASURE, AB6IX, and NewJeans. Established groups like Stray Kids, ASTRO, ITZY, ATEEZ, (G)I-DLE, SF9, ENHYPEN, aespa, TXT, THE BOYZ, P1Harmony, NCT DREAM, and CRAVITY soared higher than ever. Among soloists (excluding idol group members), B.I, WOODZ, WonHo, Kang Daniel, DPR IAN, Choi YeNa, and AleXa hit it out of the park.

While the above-mentioned groups have achieved and/or enjoyed mainstream global popularity and success in 2022, there are many more that might have passed under your radar. Some incredibly talented artists made their comebacks/debuts this year, and they are gearing up to take on the title of the next big aces of K-Pop.

Here are the top 10 K-Pop idols (including soloists) who we predict will be the next big thing!

Note: This list is our ranking, but you can vote for your favorite idol in the poll at the end of the article. As this is a poll for readers to vote and share their opinion on whenever they find this article, it will not be closed, and no result article will be published.

 

1. DKZ's JaeChan

If there's anyone who deserves the title of the ultimate all-rounder of 2022, it is undoubtedly DKZ's JaeChan. Besides gaining worldwide acclaim for his groundbreaking drama "Semantic Error" which also earned him a mention in Forbes Korea's "2022 Korea Power Celebrity 40 - Rising Star", JaeChan was also immensely prolific as an idol. 2022 brought DKZ their first daesang in the form of the "Male Idol - Rising Star Award" in the 2022 Brand of the Year Awards, as well as their first music show win, followed by consistent accolades and commercial success. JaeChan was able to showcase his masterful skill as not only a vocalist, rapper, and visual member but also a producer to a wider audience, thanks to his renewed popularity. It is extremely rewarding to see a group as talented as DKZ experiencing a new turn in their career, especially when they are only getting started. We cannot wait to see what JaeChan has in store for us next.

 

2. Bang YeDam

Viral sensation, icon, and idol, Bang YeDam, one of YG Entertainment's greatest assets and the former main vocalist of TREASURE, parted ways with the company and the group earlier this year. YG cited his desire to pursue a fully-fledged career in production as the reason why his contract was terminated with mutual agreement. For fans who have stuck beside YeDam ever since he first stepped into the entertainment industry at a very young age, this decision came with a bittersweet aftertaste. While it did mean that they won't be able to see him as a TREASURE member anymore, it also opened up the gates for creative freedom and YeDam's artistic authenticity to be expressed in all its glory. With the abundance of talent he has honed to perfection, we can already predict that Bang YeDam's solo career will be grander than anything we've seen before.

 

3. ADORA

Producer and singer-songwriter ADORA is a name synonymous with excellence. After an extraordinary career as an in-house producer for BigHit Music, ADORA made her debut as a soloist in 2021 and almost immediately received rave responses from fans and critics alike. The novelty of her work, laced with inherent originality and uniqueness, makes her stand out as an artist and has the potential to significantly impact and shape the K-Pop soundscape. What's more, is that she is also an amazing live performer! With her endearing personality and otherworldly talent, it is only a matter of time before ADORA becomes the next big pop star we have been waiting for.

 

4. TEMPEST's HanBin

The master of enchantment, TEMPEST's HanBin, is as beloved as he is talented - endlessly. Before taking on the position of the lead dancer and lead vocalist of TEMPEST, HanBin was a self-taught dancer who went on to found and lead the dance group CAC in Vietnam. He started gaining attention after his stint on the competition reality show "I-LAND", after which he debuted in TEMPEST and enjoyed unprecedented popularity and support from fans all over the world. As a musician, he is constantly challenging himself and, as such, evolving into one of the finest artists this generation has to offer. His knack for performance, mesmerizing stage presence, and duality are some of his strongest suits, and he has the skills to back them up. Without a doubt, HanBin's career is history in the making, and we're eager to see where he goes next.

 

5. Xdinary Heroes' JooYeon

Xdinary Heroes' JooYeon is one of those rare idols who do not hesitate to go against the flow of trends and carve a new path for themselves. Right from his styling to his sonic aesthetic, the way he carries and presents himself - everything about JooYeon is so inimitable that you cannot help but be intrigued. His natural magnetism is amplified by the fact that he quite literally has the Midas touch - turning any endeavor he undertakes into gold. Prior to his debut as an idol, JooYeon was a part of a dance group, and now, he's both the bassist and main vocalist of Xdinary Heroes. That's not all! JooYeon has an innate talent for entertainment and variety shows, which introduces a whole new world of possibilities for the future. It will certainly be interesting to see JooYeon add to his achievements one by one because we're sure that he will have an ocean of them coming soon.

 

6. Billlie's Moon SuA

A powerhouse in the truest sense of the word, Billlie's Moon SuA commands respect and attention wherever she goes. There's an elegant majesty in her presence and a certain poise in her confidence that pulls us in effortlessly. At the same time, she's also the most adorable and precious human being, which makes us want to protect her smile at all costs. She might be the official main rapper and lead vocalist of Billlie but she's also insanely talented as a dancer! With her endless charms and outstanding talent, it isn't surprising that her popularity graph has a constant upward trajectory. As Moon SuA moves forward to explore and experiment with her artistic expression even more, we have no doubt that she will continue to shine brighter than a diamond.

 

7. DKB's Harry June

Have you ever felt the gratification of discovering a hidden gem and watching them rise to unbelievable heights of success? That is exactly what BB experienced this year with DKB's Harry June getting the recognition he deserves for his phenomenal talents. Dancer, vocalist, and maknae of DKB, Harry June, showed the world what he's made of in 2022 with his participation in "Be Mbitious" - a dance reality show serving as the prequel to "Street Man Fighter". Not only did it draw attention to his remarkable mettle as a dancer but also to DKB as a group and, in turn, once again, to his own multifaceted charms and well-rounded skills. Just like that, Harry June was instantly on everyone's radar of rising stars. With all the anticipation for his future activities, we're certain that great things lie ahead of him.

 

8. PURPLE KISS' ChaeIn

If you've been looking for the definition of a prodigy, look no further! PURPLE KISS' ChaeIn is the answer to your search. Main vocalist, lead dancer, rapper, songwriter, composer, choreographer, ChaeIn is so talented that it almost seems unreal! She has creative genius running through her veins, and her personal artistry is truly a thing of wonder. When ChaeIn performs, it is virtually impossible to take your eyes off of her. Such is her hypnotizing charm and unrivaled stage presence. However, she is also the most grounded, playful, and lovable idol you'll ever meet. If you want to stan talent, stan ChaeIn and you'll thank us later because her ever-expanding potential will leave you spellbound.

 

9. TNX's JunHyeok

After one of the most successful and talked-about debuts of 2022, TNX is quickly growing to be a generation-defining group in K-Pop. The main vocalist of the group, JunHyeok is best known for his unique vocal colour, range, and command over the stage but what makes him such a stan magnet is the fact that he has all the makings of the perfect ace. This is because JunHyeok has unparalleled mastery over the technical skills involved in performance, as well as the inventive streak that allows him to transform even the simplest moves into bewitching displays of brilliance. You just cannot help but give in to his allure! With more experience, JunHyeok will definitely join the ranks of the greatest artists in K-Pop.

 

10. CLASS:y's Kim SeonYou

The youngest idol on this list, CLASS:y's Kim SeonYou, is a treasure trove of talent. She has the confidence of a veteran and the spunky freshness of a rookie, which means that she is both exciting and impressive at the same time. Holding down the title of a triple treat, being the main rapper, lead dancer, and vocalist of the group, Kim SeonYou has an unbeatable drive to become the best at what she does, and she's indeed on the right track. Kim SeonYou is unpredictable in the best way possible because we can never know how she will wow us next, and it is this quality of keeping us on our toes that makes her so memorable. So, when it comes to the next big thing in K-Pop, we're placing our bets on Kim SeonYou.

 

 

Which other K-Pop idols/soloists would you add to this list? Tell us in the comments section down below!