The 2024 K-Pop Yearbook (2024)

Consequence’sAnnual Reportcontinues with a roundup of the most memorable live performances of 2024. As the year winds down, we’ve got tons of awards, lists, and interviews about the best music, film, and TV 2024 had to offer, including our list of the200 Best Songs of the Year.

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In 2023, I absolutely loved launching the K-Pop Yearbook, celebrating a year in the genre with superlative-style accolades. Putting together these titles for soloists, bands, and music that moved us throughout the year was such a blast that I simply had to do it again. Think back on all the music you streamed over the course of 2024; did you, like me, make that money make purse? Were you mastering the “Supernova” choreography, or unable to stop replaying that P1Harmony TikTok?

It feels like an understatement to say that 2024 was an especially wild year for K-pop, but today, we’re focusing on the best and brightest. I feel so lucky to have spoken to and connected with so many of these artists throughout the year, both in my weekly column and elsewhere on the site, and was delighted that so many of them wanted to check in to reflect on the year. If you haven’t already, but sure to subscribe to my column here to get fun pieces like this delivered right to your inbox each week.

And, without further ado, enjoy the 2024 K-Pop Yearbook. Thanks so very much for reading.

2024 Hitmakers: aespa

Karina, Giselle, Winter, and Ningning have released some of the best music of their career this year. 2024 saw aespa drop two killer songs back-to-back with “Supernova” and “Armageddon,” and then followed it up a few months later with “Whiplash.” No skips, all hits is the name of the game for these girls, and their demanding choreography remains on par with their dependable vocals.

The four-member act out of SM Entertainment remains an example of forward-thinking energy; aespa were one of the first groups to full embrace themes and visuals around the metaverse, crafting their own cyber-toned narrative from the jump. The fact that the music has remained as engaging as the concept is a testament to their hard work.

Best Tour: ATEEZ

Named one of the best all-genre live shows of 2024, ATEEZ’s “Towards the Light: Will to Power” tour feels like it marked a turning point in the band’s story. While the eight-member act has been steadily maintaining momentum for years, this year’s North American outing nudged Hongjoong, Seonghwa, Yunho, Yeosang, San, Mingi, Wooyoung and Jongho into even more ambitious territory, and the result was one narrative, immersive, and incredibly impressive tour.

As I wrote in my review of their US stadium debut, there’s something particularly satisfying about witnessing an act like ATEEZ — who clawed their way to the big leagues from a small label through the combined powers of sheer will, teamwork, and engaging music — play to some of the biggest crowds of their career. Their swashbuckling story is far from over, but 2024 was an especially deserved chapter.

Listen to ATEEZ via Amazon Music

Rookies of the Year: BOYNEXTDOOR

Since debuting in the spring of 2023, BOYNEXTDOOR have established themselves as formidable performers; their reputation has grown so quickly, in fact, that the title of “rookies” almost feels outdated already. Below, the members reflect on a huge year, and what lies ahead for 2025. Plus, be sure to revisit my first interview with BND around the release of 19.99.

It’s been so fun watching you guys spread your wings here in 2024! Between the release of 19.99, your performance at KCON, and recent performance at the MAMA Awards, it’s been a very exciting time. What are some of the lessons you think you’ve learned?

JAEHYUN:I realized that there is no other place where I feel as happy and grateful as I do on stage. This has also taught me to give my very best for every performance.

WOONHAK: I feel incredibly grateful and proud to have received so much love and support this year. I’ve rediscovered the passion and excitement I felt as a trainee preparing for my debut, and it’s been truly heartwarming.

SUNGHO: I’m so thankful for the many stage opportunities we had as BOYNEXTDOOR this year. The experience of performing live is truly different every time, and I feel I’ve grown more in the short time since our debut than I did in my three years of training. I’m excited for 2025 and looking forward to a year full of opportunities to learn and grow even more.

When you think 2024, what comes to mind in the scope of BOYNEXTDOOR’s story and achievements?

JAEHYUN: Our first solo concert with our fans ONEDOOR! It allowed us to reconnect with the core of what BOYNEXTDOOR is all about and create unforgettable memories together. There’s nothing more rewarding than this.

WOONHAK: Our fan meet and concert were amazing without a doubt, and I’m really looking forward to our upcoming fan meets in Japan.

SUNGHO: Looking back, the story that BOYNEXTDOOR and ONEDOOR have written together this year amazes me every time I think about it. I’m truly grateful for every moment.

What are you guys looking forward to in 2025?

RIWOO: All our members will become adults next year (in Korean age), so I’m hoping to share BOYNEXTDOOR’s maturity and even more genuine stories with everyone next year.

TAESAN: Going to many cities around the world for our first tour!

LEEHAN: I’m excited to return with amazing music and show it off to ONEDOOR!

RIWOO – 2024 was full of precious memories we made with ONEDOOR. I’m excited to see what the new year has in store!

TAESAN: You’ve worked so hard this year ONEDOOR. I hope you have a happy new year! I look forward to spending more time with you next year. I love you all so much!

LEEHAN: I LOVE YOU ONEDOOR!

Listen to BOYNEXTDOOR via Amazon Music

Biggest Bop: fromis_9 — “Supersonic”

No matter what the future holds for this nine-members group, we’re rooting for fromis_9.

The girls absolutely knocked it out of the park with their August 2024 single album, centered on “Supersonic,” a bright club track balancing notes of Miami bass with contagiously uptempo energy. The strong vocals and catchy chorus were enough to insist that this song lingered well beyond the summer months it was designed to accompany, and as fromis_9 take a breath and gear up for their next chapter, they should be excited to know that they’ve crafted a bop for the ages.

Revisit a late-summer edition of my K-pop column, Fan Chant, where “Supersonic” was featured as the Song Rec of the Week.

Best Debut Song: ILLIT — “Magnetic”

One of the catchiest choruses in recent memory, coupled with sweet, playful choreography pushed ILLIT into unprecedented territory for a K-pop debut song. “Magnetic” made history as the first K-pop debut track to enter both the Billboard Hot 100 and the UK Official Singles Top 100 — and what’s wildest is that this young group is just getting started.

As they look ahead to 2025, the members of ILLIT take a moment to remember those moments around the debut.