It takes a lot of hard work and preparation for any K-Pop idol to make their debut in the K-Pop industry. From perfecting each note in every song to nailing each step in their choreography and crafting the group’s style and image, a lot of effort goes into making a debut. However, that hard work and preparation is magnified the more debuts they make. 

It’s common for idols to debut again after their initial debut. The journey that leads each idol towards their debuts are as diverse as their work as each artist they debut as. They also make their debut in different forms; groups, sub-units, solo artists or even debuting outside of K-Pop all together. 

Here are 12 K-Pop idols who have debuted in groups more than once.

 

1. Mark

K-Pop fans know Mark for debuting many times. He first debuted in NCT’s first unit, NCT U in 2016 and debuted twice more later that year as part of NCT 127 and NCT DREAM. In 2019, he debuted with SuperM. 

 

2. Ten

Like Mark, Ten has also debuted many times. He debuted in NCT U in 2016 and in NCT 127 later that year. In 2019, he made two more debuts with WayV and SuperM.

 

3. WinWin

Fellow NCT member WinWin has debuted three times. He debuted as part of NCT 127 in 2016, NCT U in 2018 and WayV in 2019.

 

4. WonYoung

WonYoung first debuted in IZ*ONE in 2018 after finishing first on “Produce 48”. Since 2021 she has been a member of IVE.

 

5. YuJin

Alongside WonYoung, YuJin made the final lineup on “Produce 48” and debuted as a member of IZ*ONE in 2018. Since 2021 she has been a member of IVE.

 

6. HyunA

K-Pop icon HyunA has debuted many times over her career. She first debuted in 2007 as part of Wonder Girls. After leaving the group, she made her debut with 4Minute in 2009. The following year, she made her solo debut. Then in 2011 she debuted as part of duo, Trouble Maker. In 2012, she debuted with Dazzling Red, a five member project group consisting of female idols who were already well-known in K-Pop. In 2017, she then debuted as part of Triple H. 

 

7. MinHee

MinHee first debuted as part of X1 in 2019 after making the final lineup on “Produce X 101”. In 2020, he debuted as a member of CRAVITY. 

 

8. HyeongJun

With MinHee, HyeongJun was a member of X1 in 2019 after making the final lineup on “Produce X 101”. In 2020, he debuted as a member of CRAVITY. 

 

9. MinHyun

MinHyun originally debuted as a member of NU’EST in 2012. After making the final lineup on “Produce 101” in 2017, he debuted again as a member of Wanna One. In 2023, he made his solo debut. 

 

10. Sakura

Sakura first started her entertainment career in Japan. She debuted as part of Japanese idol group HKT48 in 2011. She also became a concurrent member of AKB48 in 2014. In 2018, she made the final lineup of “Produce 48”, debuting in her first K-Pop group, IZ*ONE. In 2022, she debuted as a member of LE SSERAFIM. 

 

11. ChaeWon 

Like Sakura, ChaeWon debuted as a member of IZ*ONE in 2018 after making the final lineup on “Produce 48”. Since 2022, she has been a member of LE SSERAFIM. 

 

12. SoMin

SoMin has debuted three times. Her first debut was in 2012 with Puretty, a South Korean girl group based in South Korea and Japan. She then debuted as part of April in 2015. In 2017 she debuted as a member of co-ed group, KARD.

The upcoming "2023 MBC Gayo Daejejeon" ("MBC Music Festival") is happening later this month! This music festival promises a diverse lineup of artists from various genres, sure to bring joy to viewers as the year winds down and we welcome the new one. The theme for this year's Gayo Daejejeon is "Dream Record." This year's celebration will be hosted by YoonA from Girls' Generation, MinHo from SHINee, and Hwang MinHyun. You can catch all the excitement by streaming the festivities online. Find the performer lineup and streaming information below.

 

"2023 MBC Gayo Daejejeon" Artist Lineup

&TEAM

(G)I-DLE

2AM

aespa

ATBO

ATEEZ

BaekHo

BEBE

BOYNEXTDOOR

CRAVITY

DAY6

ENHYPEN

FANTASY BOYS

fromis_9

HyoYeon

ITZY

IVE

LUCY

NCT 127

NCT DREAM

NCT U

NiziU

NMIXX

RIIZE

SHINee

STAYC

Stray Kids

V1LLION by 1MILLION

ZEROBASEONE

Kwon EunBi

Dynamicduo

THE BOYZ

Young Tak

ONE TOP

Yoon Sang

Lee YoungJi

Lee Juck

Jang MinHo

JUJU SECRET

Kep1er

Paul Kim

 

[INFO]

Date: December 31, Saturday, 8:30PM KST

Live Stream: MBCKpop YouTube Channel

Many fans can remember when they first heard their favorite group’s debut song. Debut songs are the starting points that allow fans to understand the group better and show them what’s in store for the group’s concepts, discography, and overall image. 

Debuts remain in the thoughts of fans as the years pass and some songs are still talked about even after years of the group’s establishment. Check out 7 debut songs that we think will turn you into a K-Pop fan for life.

 

1. NewJeans - ‘Attention’

Without any prior promotions or reveal of the members, NewJeans had one of the most interesting debuts in K-Pop. Back in July 2022, ADOR Entertainment did a surprise release for the group with the debut single ‘Attention’. Refreshing, addictive, and catchy, ‘Attention’ puts all of the K-Pop world’s focus onto the soon-to-be global pop stars. It’s a song that gives you a feeling of enjoying the summertime with friends, accompanied by a carefree and retro sound. This track not only made the public excited for more, but it also set high expectations for the group. NewJeans continues to provide legendary hits for fans and holds some of the top spots on Korean music charts like Melon and Circle Chart.

 

2. SHINee - ‘Replay’

There’s no better way to describe that old K-Pop nostalgia than with SHINee’s ‘Replay’. A timeless melody, ‘Replay’ is a debut that K-Pop fans will always remember. Singing about an older girl whom the members are infatuated with, SHINee’s charm shined in this debut track. With soothing vocals and a calm beat, SHINee hypnotized fans with their debut. It could be considered one of the most iconic K-Pop debuts of all time. Seeing the drastic change from the member’s debut up until now leaves fans with a bittersweet feeling in their hearts as they know ‘Replay’ was the start of SHINee’s 15-year journey to stardom.

 

3. Girls’ Generation - ‘Into The New World’

A debut song so loved it became the ideal cover choice for numerous girl groups, ‘Into The New World’ was fresh, fun, and a song that will be remembered for ages. The song’s addictive melody and upbeat performance made it a song loved by all. Girls’ Generation’s debut truly set the tone for their later releases. Not only is the song catchy, but the lyrics of the song talk about determination and moving forward in life. Their debut definitely left an impression on many people and even after 16 years, it’s still a song enjoyed worldwide.

 

4. f(x) - ‘LA chA TA’

One of the most unique girl group’s out there, f(x)’s debut song, ‘LA chA TA’ was fun, funky, and energetic. From the artistic outfits, upbeat songs, and energetic choreo, ‘LA chA TA’ is a song you won’t be able to get out of your head once you hear it. The group established their fun concepts with ‘LA chA TA’, and its uniqueness is what drew many fans in. The sound of their debut track definitely fits the early 2000s vibes. Although one of the more underappreciated debuts on this list, f(x) still delivered with this unforgettable track.

 

5. NCT U - ‘The 7th Sense’

‘The 7th Sense’ is unforgettable and truly started the universe that would soon be known as NCT Nation. ‘The 7th Sense’ chose an amazing lineup of members for the first-ever NCT song and the melody is one known to many. ‘The 7th Sense’ experimented with many R&B, Hip-Hop, and trap elements to truly showcase NCT U’s sound. This debut song is like no other, making it stand apart from the crowd and showing off its own individuality through its sound and performance. Each member shone in their own way and when placed together, it made for an outstanding, everlasting song. The members paired for ‘The 7th Sense’ was so unforgettable that they regrouped as a unit and released their latest track, ‘Baggy Jeans’.

 

6. EVERGLOW - ‘Bon Bon Chocolat’

With girl crush vibes and a rockstar sound, EVERGLOW’s debut single was highly anticipated by international fans. Known as monster rookies, EVERGLOW debuted in 2019 with the title track ‘Bon Bon Chocolat’. Their debut track showed just what the girls are capable of, as they pulled off powerful choreo behind an addictive hip-hop EDM synth sound. Their debut MV gathered nearly 3 million views in less than 24 hours. The group continued their fierce girl crush concept as the songs following their debut kept up their high energy and commanding performances.

 

7. CIX - ‘Movie Star’

Not even a week after their debut CIX won their first award, ‘Movie Star’ deserves all the praise in the world. It was one of the highlight debuts of 2019 and is still discussed 4 years after its release. ‘Movie Star’ sets a sensual scene, delivering soothing vocals and amazing visuals to back them up. The lyrics of the song talk about a woman who the members are so mesmerized by that she’s like a movie star to them. It’s hard not to feel your heart skip when you’re listening to their debut track. With powerhouse vocals, amazing stage presence, and looks that could make anyone swoon, CIX is the package deal. Not only that, their B-sides are criminally underrated.

 

What’s your favorite K-Pop group’s debut? Why is it your favorite? Let us know in the comments!