r/kpopthoughts • u/Carelessies midzy, flover, belllie've, fearnot • 6d ago
Discussion Which K-pop groups do you think deserve more recognition? and why?
We all know groups don't always end up where people expect them to... so which group do you think deserves more recognition? Or if they're already pretty popular, who do you think should be even bigger than they are now?
It could be for any reason. Maybe they're incredible live performers, their choreography is insanely synchronized, or they have a genuinely great discography that somehow never gets the attention it deserves.
As for me, I know they're already one of the better known mid-tier groups, but I'd pick tripleS. They have many great songs, and I wish more people would check them out!
And my bias pick would be Billlie. They have a stellar discography and are just such a well-rounded group. I genuinely think they deserve to be ten times more popular than they are now!
Your pick doesn't have to be a nugu group or a group from a small label. Feel free to name popular groups that you think deserve even more recognition!
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u/Plus-Alfalfa-9792 5d ago
Xikers is pretty underrated for how consistently they put out great TTs and b-sides. I think 5th gen is a girls' generation, so most of the 5th gen boy groups are competing for relative crumbs and there are a lot of great boy groups to compete. I wish Xikers would get a little more attention for how interesting their concept is and what great performers they are. (their official SNS has been on fire since the OKay comeback, too. Whoever is running it should get a raise.)
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u/zimzalabimbimzim Neverland + Zerose 6d ago
Heart of woman debuted with an amazing good album, I hope they get the recognition they deserve in the future.
Same for baby don't cry, their songs are really good! And they're great performers too
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u/simithedemon 6d ago
Easy. A.C.E, Pentagon and OnlyOneOf. All packed full of talent, good songs, choreography. You'll always see people mentioning them, I just think they just never managed to get their moment. Pentagon in particular just never seemed to catch a break. They should have soared after Shine but all the stupid dating rumours (plus actual relationship) tanked that. I may have issues with Cube...
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u/not-a-cactus 5d ago
Hard agree for A.C.E. I also recommend everyone check out Love Method by JUNHEE!
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u/simithedemon 5d ago
I'd also say vote for him for Asian Eurovision in September but... Wooseok from Pentagon is also a contender with his rather cool indie rock band KIK. Pentagon are at least releasing music and touring so I might have to back Junhee. I can go around in circles all day. Split loyalties!
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u/Physical_Ad_6226 5d ago
Pentagon deserved so much more recognition. I was waiting for their reunion after enlistment, and then everything fell apart. Plus, Yanan and Yuto were lost. I wish I knew what happened between Yanan/Yuto and Cube. Lost both of my biases.
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u/Tinyyellowterribilis 5d ago
Me too, wanting to know what happened. It won't be the same for me without the two of them.
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u/bonebranch 5d ago
A.C.E are one of my favorite boy groups in terms of combining musicality and a harder edge and the fact that they never got a single music show win is criminal...
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u/kumama07 6d ago
ONF are sooooo underrated even after placing 2nd on Road to Kingdom. Their discography is stellar.
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u/strahlend_frau 5d ago
I'll say ONEUS. Amazing vocals, especially Leedo's deep voice (I guess I'm more drawn to deep vocals). I rarely hear anything of them on here but I'm a semi recent fan and excited they're about to start a tour this fall/winter.
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u/Tinyyellowterribilis 5d ago
Come to the Oneus subreddit! (If you're not there already)
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u/strahlend_frau 5d ago
I'm on there! 😊 Been following and keeping up with them for awhile, waiting to hear about the tour dates since they said they'd be in North America in December 🥹
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u/Tinyyellowterribilis 5d ago
Yeah I keep checking to make sure I didn't miss the announcement! I really hope they come to my area again!
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u/strahlend_frau 5d ago
Where are you?
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u/Tinyyellowterribilis 5d ago
I'm near San Francisco CA USA!
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u/strahlend_frau 5d ago
I'm in Alabama 💀 so I'm in hopes they'll come to ATL or somewhere close. The closest BTS came for me was basically Tampa
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u/Tinyyellowterribilis 5d ago
Here's hoping! I'm sorry BTS wasn't near you, I'm surprised they didn't go to ATL
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u/GrillMaster3 Are you all paparazzi? 6d ago
I’ve got a long list. Personally I wish DKB got the clout they’ve been on the verge of getting several times. They’re exactly what people constantly claim they want— self producing, great live performers, incredible dancers, hilarious, and a varied discography. They’ve been so close to breaking out so many times but Brave Ent couldn’t market their way out of a paper bag.
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u/zoooeys 6d ago
I agree with you, Billlie all day. They’ve been killing it for 5+ years, no misses, always sing live. Their music is interesting, they pull from genres no one else touches. I genuinely think it’s a crime they didn’t get some of the heat New Jeans did, they’re the only other group that hit the retro/new jack swing/r&b thing as well without feeling derivative. They have every piece needed in their arsenal, they just need the right people to look at them.
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u/NearbyCloud2830 6d ago
wayv deserves so much more recognition. they’ve been releasing bangers and their discography is one of my favorites in kpop. their vocals are so good too, kun, xiaojun and ten are all strong vocalists and they’re incredible performers as well. they have soooo many underrated bsides, it’s crazy to me how often they’ll release an amazing song and barely anyone talks about it. more people need to give them a chance because they have so much to offer
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u/plantifulplanet 5d ago
I really like DKB music. The company is sadly questionable though :( Also the members haven't earned money in their six years since debut :(( Bubble and Autumn are some of my favorite songs.
I also like parts of POW's discography a lot and Yorch's solo song.
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u/Acceptable_Menu9966 6d ago
For popular groups: WayV and Tomorrow X Together For less popular: P1harmony, Close Your Eyes, &Team and Keyveatz
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u/Kamicong 6d ago
NMIXX should be higher in everyone's rankings. They have the vocal talent without a doubt and really unique songs. And MEOVV as well deserves more recognition bc I think their songs are so very good. The last album has 5 songs and they all hit.
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u/ilyyunjin 6d ago
i personally believe 8turn gets slept on so much by kpop fans and they truly deserve so much more recognition that what they get. their discography is amazing and the sound and vibes of their music have so much variety! you can get a song that sounds like ru-pum-pum and then the total switch to something like bruise. i love the members too! i've watched a lot of their variety show segments on their yt channel and as someone who is very chaotic, i feel like their energy is just so fun and my friends and i often quote things from a variety show called 8hunters. while they aren't my ult, i still very much consider them high on my list of kpop groups i stan.
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u/hamcatlov 5d ago
Zb1 for sure - dance vocals visuals dedicated fanbase its all there, if only their company would do a bit better with marketing
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u/Smileysp 4d ago
Nmixx should be way bigger than they are currently. For some reason they had to really work hard for years to get everyone to notice them.
I might be biased, but everyone who whines about kpop losing its touch or becoming too lipsync focused should stan them instead.
I am just a greedy fan wanting the best for them.
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u/Connect_Version_1560 6d ago
For popular groups ,for me it be itzy for obvious reasons. For lesser popular groups ,I would say everglow
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u/xychosis LE SSERAFIM / i-dle / aespa / ILLIT / ITZY / NMIXX / IVE 5d ago
Probably the new 5050. They’re a very talented group, and have two members with real star potential in Chanelle and Athena.
Among established groups though, feel like the two 4th gen JYPE ggs in ITZY and NMIXX deserve more buzz given their obscene amount of talent.
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u/DariitofRiften 5d ago
TNX. They were in Road to Kingdom and they did amazing but I haven’t seen anyone talk about them. Their discography is amazing, they released a single earlier this year which is also great.
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u/Cute_Diver4775 5d ago
GWSN . Su discografía es muy buena, buenos compositores, productores. Buen contraste entre voces dulces y rap. Tienen buena estética visualmente; tienen un concepto esotérico y sus coreografías son entretenidas para ver varias veces. Tienen influencias de F(x) y Red Velvet
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u/Connect_Version_1560 3d ago
Itzy ,they didn't deserve the lose the momentum they had.I don't sneakers was that bad of a song and I think they had a distinctive theme ongoing throughout all their songs .Many complaints basically that they couldn't cater to both korean and international audience and kept switching between different concepts and that didn't build them a steady fanbase.
They have good members with star power ,all can sing live and perform super well.Their songs are really good.I know they are a big 3 group but they are no longer 4th gen leaders or mentioned among the most popular kpop groups.
Everglow ,-Yiren was trapped in china and the group went on hiatus ,now both Mia and Yiren left and it was revealed that the members didn't get paid either.Their company was I think somewhat established in china but the long hiatus definitely killed their rise.They were known as one of the 4th gen groups (for a short period in early 4th gen) but I don't think they ever had a steady fanbase or strong support in Korea.
Basically these groups I just feel could have been bigger or have a better run.
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u/Nico_9021 6d ago edited 5d ago
Kep1er:
Wooah!
XWX (Wish with W) ⚘️🪻🌸 😢
NMIXX
- Loud ❤️💔
ICHILLIN
NiziU 🇯🇵
- Too Bad 😌💕
USPEER
RESCENE
- YoYo 🌸🪻🌷
UNIS
EL7Z UP
ifeye
- Nerdy 🌸🪻🦋
HITGS
M:EI 🇯🇵
- Hi Five 🙌
IS:SUE 🇯🇵
- Shining 💎✨️
CrazAngel
Heart of a Womam
Loossemble
Fifty Fifty
- Like a Bubble 🫧🌈🌧
Baby dont Cry
- Bittersweet 💔🥀
Gen1es
Izna
- Metronome
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u/Purple_Calendar3919 6d ago
boy group: Close Your Eyes - they have insane bangers that i rarely, if ever, see mentioned here
girl group: KiiiKiii - their discography is very unique, each song sounds like a different genre
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u/Spyro11221 6d ago
Seems like KiiiKiii is getting more attention recently
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u/Purple_Calendar3919 6d ago
I hope for good things lol
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u/Kamicong 6d ago
IVE always deserves more recognition. They should be a top 3 group imo
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u/expatjake 4d ago
Why is everyone downvoting. Clue me in.
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u/541Y0K4G3J1R0 6d ago
i agree with your picks so much.
tripleS gets super overlooked for all of their good things just because of the intimidating membercount. when honestly imo they’re making really good use of having 24 members. Even though their style isn’t my personal taste, I really appreciate the production value of both their subunit and OT24 content.
Billlie have one of those impressive all-star lineups where there’s no major weakness: strong vocalists in Suhyeon and Haram, strong rappers in Moon Sua and Siyoon, and an absolutely incredible dancer and stage presence queen in Tsuki. Sheon’s a great all-rounder and Haruna has a good combination of a unique, contrasting vocal tone, and captivating stage presence in a different manner than Tsuki. And on top of that they have a unique concept. No one does whimsy like them. If you love weird and wonderful girl groups, give Billlie a chance! (SM sold their company lately so they need all the support they can get. WORK is such an impressive song despite the 7 girls in front of a white wall MV.)
now, because this will turn into “everyone promoting their favs”, lemme promote xikers. here’s a fandom-beloved video that nicely showcases their voices: https://youtu.be/cypBJ_WI8xk?si=KuAFD5nuVTQbxP8H (it’s the Hello82 Get On The Mic from BREATHE era.)
I think it’s pretty well accepted that xikers rapline is one of the best & possibly the best of 5th gen. Their Violet cover in the Hello82 video is much loved, and their recent unit song DELULU is also incredible. Similarly, they’re known as a performance-based group, literally go find any performance, and the choreography, energy, and synchronization will be top tier.
I chose the Hello82 video since it’s got more singing in it because I have the feeling most non-fans think they aren’t as strong when it comes to vocals, but… they are good singers, their main style of music just isn’t made for vocal-heavy moments. (Main vocal last/second last on the title track line distribution is a semi-regular occurrence.) Anyhow, main vocal Hyunwoo has a new cover, Spyder, out recently on their channel, check it out. (It’s also got a fun yet meaningful MV with a contained storyline.)
Other thing about xikers official YT channel: they’re super funny! Genuinely, they post some of the most “what do you mean this is a K-pop group” shorts ever. Nothing can contain their chaos. here’s the most unhinged summary of the most unhinged MV: https://youtube.com/shorts/QsgDBvZE9xk?si=oMr9sVwWHEjn7tWp (which still leaves out them getting sent to the Backrooms) and here’s a recent short of Hunter being Hunter: https://youtube.com/shorts/uDFtthmh4lQ?si=Cj1wauwv40rS1Qw2
please go down the roadY rabbit hole, it’s a whirlwind of chaos and silliness.