2022 has been a year full of surprises. Not only did existing K-Pop groups bring the heat with their newly upgraded talent and determination this year; but newly-debuted groups came onto the scene in full force, too.

There were a lot of debuts this year and Kpopmap captured some of them in this list compilation. Check out the groups that debuted in 2022 below.

It is said that every year at least 100 K-Pop groups debut in hopes of making it to the top. Every K-Pop fan knows how difficult the road to debut is and how big of an accomplishment it is once it has actually happened.

For example, in statista.com's survey conducted on the entertainment trainees debut rate in South Korea in 2020, the study concluded that around 41.8% of entertainment agencies answered that the debut rate for trainees is less than 60%.

Thus, for the trainees who end up making it to the final debut lineup, it can be a very exciting time. In fact, depending on how a company markets a group ahead of its debut, fans may be looking forward to the official start of its members' careers in equal anticipation.

It has become quite common for pre-debut groups to have a fanbase before they even debut. You can read more about the marketing strategies that lead to this here.

In the same way that some pre-debut groups create a buzz before they even debut, that buzz can be equal or intensified after their debut date.

In 2022, especially, a lot of debut groups were the talk of the K-Pop scene as fans eagerly awaited and later enjoyed their debuts.

Which group do you think was the most highly-anticipated and talked-about debut of the year? We'll take a look at groups that had many looking forward to and enjoying their debut in this article.

The article will take a look at some factors such as anticipation ahead of a group's debut, their album sales during the year, and the general hype about the group.

Note: This list is not in any particular order. It is not a ranking. Additionally, the poll included at the end of the article is intended to gather readers' opinions and will thus remain constantly open. However, no results article based on the findings will be published. 

1. NewJeans

NewJeans were a group that was not only highly anticipated before debuting but took the K-Pop industry by storm once they had. Their fresh concept and overwhelming talent shook many K-Pop fans as they found themselves playing their debut album on repeat.

The group saw extreme success this year. Their debut EP "New Jeans" with 'Attention', 'Hype Boy', and 'Cookie' as the leading singles sold 311,200+ album copies in the first week.

Fans are living for the vibrance, new trendiness, simultaneous nostalgia, and youthful energy that NewJeans brings with their unique musical color. They are one of the groups that many fans are excited to see grow as they already have such a big stake in the industry at such a young age.

2. LE SSERAFIM

Besides being the first girl group to be debuted by HYBE and having past IZ*ONE and "Produce 48" contestants in their lineup, LE SSERAFIM created a buzz in the K-Pop industry with their fierce teasers and peeks at their concept.

They did incredibly well this year. Their debut album "FEARLESS" and the title track 'FEARLESS' sold 307,400+ copies in their first-week album sales. Their recent comeback with their second mini album "ANTIFRAGILE" and the title track of the same name recorded almost double the amount of first-week sales at 567,600+ copies sold.

LE SSERAFIM especially had a lot of fans talking about their tough road to debut after their documentary was released. The documentary really emphasized the hard work that the members put into getting to the stage and performing with sheer perfection.

The girls have proven themselves not only worthy of standing on the stage but as leaders of a new phase of K-Pop.

3. Kep1er

Kep1er is a group that was special to many even before their debut, as fans were closely involved in the formation of the group. The group was formed on the survival show "GIRLS PLANET 999" where contestants from Korea, China, and Japan competed to debut in the project group.

When the final lineup was announced, fans were excited to see how the members would gel and the captivating performances that they would pull off.

Their debut mini-album "FIRST IMPACT" and the title track 'Wa Da Da' made a bold impression earning 206,500+ first-week sales. They then had a comeback with their second mini-album "DOUBLAST" and the title track 'Up!' which made 287,100+ first-week sales. Recently, they came back with their third mini-album "TROUBLESHOOTER" and the title track 'We Fresh' earning themselves 252,800+ first-week album sales. They also had the opportunity to display more diverse sides of their talent on "Queendom 2" this year.

Kep1er has one of the most devoted fandoms and all of their fans are excited to see what the group will be able to achieve in 2023.

4. NMIXX

NMIXX had their members and their respective talents teased to fans for a while before they made their official debut. This created a narrative and fanbase for them that fueled buzz around their debut.

The buzz only became louder as they debuted with a concept and musical sound that many K-Pop fans didn't expect. The group showed that they would lead a new wave in the industry through experimentalism and by setting a new trend instead of following it.

NMIXX had a stellar year as rookies releasing their debut single album "AD MARE" and the title track 'O.O' which sold 227,300+ first-week album sales. They also released their second single album "ENTWURF" and the title track 'DICE', earning themselves almost double the amount of first-week album sales (442,200+ sales).

Many fans are looking forward to how NMIXX's concept and the members will evolve in the coming years.

5. TEMPEST

TEMPEST was already a highly-anticipated group to debut but their impact when debuting was even bigger than the initial anticipation. Many fans were impressed with the group's member lineup and quality.

They attacked fans' hearts with no warning during their promotions for their debut album "It's ME, It's WE". Unfortunately, TEMPEST had some 'Bad News' for fans. The bad news (actually good news) was that TEMPEST would be wrecking all of their biases and there was nothing that fans could do about it.

The group not only won over an adoring and constantly growing fandom but did exceptionally well with their album sales this year.

Their debut album was released in March and made about 75,000+ first-week sales. They then came back with their second mini album "Shining Up" and the title track 'Can't Stop Shining' which made about 73,800+ first-week sales. This was followed up with their most recent comeback, the album "ON and ON" and the title track 'Dragon', which sold an impressive 130,100+ first-week album sales.

The group has clearly lived up to the anticipation surrounding their debut and is fast on the track to success.

6. TNX

As another product of a survival program, "LOUD", TNX's possible lineup and their debut were the talk of the K-Pop town months before it happened.

Having fallen for the members and their incredible performance talent during the show, many were excited about their debut.

Their debut album "WAY UP" and the title track 'Move' sold 31,100+ copies in first-week album sales.

TNX has received praise for a strong debut thanks to their well-rounded balance as a group and incredible musical direction which they pull off so well. There is no element lacking from the group, be it rap, vocals, dance, production, etc. This means they are definitely destined for greatness.

7. VIVIZ

VIVIZ's debut was highly-anticipated as it held significance as a new start for the members who are former members of the beloved girl group GFRIEND.

Many fans were looking forward to seeing how the members would reinvent themselves and the concept that they would use. It is safe to say that many fans were more than satisfied with their debut. Not only is their music the perfect fit for any playlist but it is amazing to see the members' talents in a new light.

Their debut album "Beam Of Prism" and the title track 'Bop Bop!' made 41,300+ first-week album sales. They recently made a comeback with their second mini album "Summer Vibe" and the title track 'Loveade' which made 59,800+ first-week album sales, as well. The group also had an incredible run on the survival program "Queendom 2", showing their performance flair and creativity.

Fans have been loving this trio's addictive music quality and their chemistry on stage, especially.

8. ATBO

ATBO is another group that was formed on a survival show called "THE ORIGIN - A, B, Or What?"; which means that fans were already very invested in their journey as idols before their debut. Fans were truly looking forward to seeing the boys come into their own as idols at their debut.

Their debut album "The Beginning : 開花 " and the title track 'Monochrome (Color)' sold 50,600+ album copies in the first week. Their most recent and second mini album "The Beginning : 始作" and title track 'Attitude' sold 79,400+ copies in the first week of album sales.

They are one of the boy groups that made a bold impression this year as many fans confessed that their debut exceeded expectations. Not only are fans enjoying their performance power but their musical style, as well.

Which group debuts do you think were the most talked-about groups of 2022? Do you have any other K-Pop groups whose debut you were anticipating in 2022? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!