2017 has already come and gone. Here are the guru’s picks for the favorite debut artists for 2017
James:
2017 was another fairly rough year for debut artists, I did manage to pick out 10 artists, though there is a fairly common bias amongst some of them and many of the ones that I didn’t choose have the same bias. The list is kinda in order-ish
1. IN2IT/Unit Black
Main Bias: Jinseok, Jian
Favorite Song(s): Steal Your Heart (뺏겠어), Amazing, Tomorrow, Starlight, Champ, 24
Okay soooo, totally cheating here, as Unit Black wasn’t an official group, and almost all of my favorite songs are either from the Boys24 program or only performed live at the Boys24 live concerts (and on the live albums). My obsession with everything Boys24 runs super deep, and isn’t going to go anywhere anytime soon. When IN2IT finally debuted I was both incredibly happy and sad because I have grown incredibly fond of all 27 members.
2. Wanna One
Main Bias: Kang Daniel, Yoon Ji Sung, Ha Sungwoon, Ong Sungwoo
Favorite Song(s): Pick Me (나야나), Never, Beautiful, Energetic
Now here starts the bias-ness of my list. Though Boys24 was my main focus, Produce 101 was my other extreme obsession. While for the female season I watched every episode, for this season I watched every episode more than once, knew probably 75% of the trainees names, and voted every single day. I cried every elimination because I grew too attached to all of the members. And though I’m happy with the outcome, I wish that Ha Sungwoon could still promote with HOTSHOT (as they are a favorite of mine)
3. Jeong Se Woon
Main Bias: Jeong Se Woon
Favorite Song(s): Just U
See…Poduce 101+Starship Entertainment soloist=YES! Just U, is one of my favorite songs of the year, and I really love his full album. I cannot wait to see what he comes out with next, I have super high hopes for him. He could be my next marshmello (See my love of Yoo Seung Woo)
4. JBJ
Main Bias: Taehyun, Hyunbin
Favorite Song(s): Fantasy
I am so happy that all of the members different company’s came together to let the fan-made group become a reality, but its a real shame that Taedong is not able to join them. As long as I can still have HOTSHOT I will forever remain on-board and support them, and I am so looking forward to their comeback this month (January). ^^ (This is the last produce 101 related group, though MXM, The Boyz and Samuel are also very high on my list. I’m just not as attached to those members)
5. ONF [ON/OFF]
Main Bias: MK…and a bit Wyatt
Favorite Song(s): ON/OFF
My Minkyun has finally debuted, need I say more? I’m pretty sure I cried a little when WM finally announced that ONF was debuting and that Minkyun was going to be a part of the group. Long time visitors to the site will know about my love of Minkyun. Plus B1A4 is one of my favorite groups, so I had high expectations for ONF, and I couldn’t be happier about their debut. I hope they get more popularity from their appearance on MIXNINE…but I want them to have a full group comeback.
6. DreamCatcher
Main Bias: N/A
Favorite Song(s): Chase Me, Good Night
There is always a group that surprises me, and this year it was DreamCatcher. I had absolutely zero feels for MINX and very low expectations for their re-debut and concept. However, I was incredibly impressed by each one of their releases and am really looking forward to seeing more from them. Love the dark concept.
7. MVP
Main Bias: Kanghan, PK
Favorite Song(s): Take It (선택해)
MVP is a group that I feel like I have been following forever. Probably because I followed Gitaek from MR.MR to MVP. For as much as I was looking forward to them I was not let down at all with their debut. I’m saddened that they have yet to comeback again, and instead attempted to gain popularity on the UNIT. I’m even more upset that they didn’t show an impressive stage in the audition round, and that both P.K and Jin were elimnated early. I’d vote for this show but I am far to attached to almost all of the groups to be able to come close to choosing who to vote for. (and I’d rather have comebacks from the groups I love)
8. A.C.E
Main Bias: Jun
Favorite Song(s): Cactus (선인장)
“Cactus” is another one of my favorite songs, and while I understand the struggles of coming from a small company, and support their decision to appear on both MIXNINE and The Unit, yet again I would be happier with a group comeback. While most of Korea seems to have taken issue with the groups decision to go busking in “hotpants” I fully support it, they have nice legs.
9. TRCNG
Main Bias: TaeSeon (Kind of)
Favorite Song(s): Spectrum
Here is a group that makes me hate K-pop now. They just keep getting younger and younger and younger, and I keep getting older and older and older. That being said, I loved their debut song, it perfectly fit the group and I can feel the B.A.P brother group without them being a carbon copy of B.A.P “Wolf Baby” was also a really fun song…but that MV…
10. Highlight
Main Bias: GiKwang
Favorite Song(s): Plz Don’t Be Sad (얼굴 찌푸리지 말아요), Calling You
Yeah, so I’m cheating again, but even the members joke that they are super rookies, so…I can include them here. They have never been better and I think leaving Cube and starting their own company was a good choice, even if they had to change their name. They will forever be one of my favorites.
Manwon^^:
I must agree with James on this one – it was a rough year for debuts; it was difficult to pick favorites since I can’t say I follow all of these groups closely now, but they are still my top 10 favorite debuts.
1. IN2IT/Unit Black / Boys24
Main Bias: Jaehyun, Inho, Jinseob, BC, Jihyung (Can I list all of the top 28?)
Favorite Song(s): Starlight, Steal Your Heart, Candy Shop, Tomorrow, Haru, Amazing
Yes yes, I know Boys24 technically didn’t debut…and it was a TV show, but that’s beyond the point – and that’s how much I love those guys and the performances that they brought to the table – seriously, I do actually follow these guys all so closely still. I always want to know when/if I am going to get to see them all again. They hold such a special place in my heart. Yeah let’s be honest this is more about Boys24 than it is about IN2IT…I know I’m cheating big time (fight me on it) I love them all too much.
2. Highlight
Main Bias: Junhyung
Favorite Song(s): Sleep Tight, Plz Don’t Be Sad
Ok, I’m cheating while not cheating yet a second time on this list. But my goodness I’ve never seen a group bounce back in such an amazing fashion as Highlight ~ they are unstoppable with this new debut of theirs, and I LOVE the music they are producing this time around (not that their music before wasn’t wonderful ~ but damn have you heard Sleep Tight or Plz Don’t Be Sad?)
3. ONE
Main Bias: ONE, Jaewon, the rapper
Favorite Song(s): Heyahe, Gettin’ By
Yeah, ONE, he’s taken over my life ever since he was supposed to debut in Mi7 ~ and I’ve been following him around on his various ventures every since. When he finally made his way to YG I was so happy for him knowing he would be able to make the music he wanted to make (of course only with YG’s overbearing, and controlling approval). But finally ONE debuted!!!!
4. DreamCatcher
Main Bias: N/A
Favorite Song(s): Chase Me, Good Night
Wow, this group blew me away with their concepts and abilities. I really enjoy that this group goes very dark, and is a girl group. Most girl groups don’t make my lists for much of anything because I don’t like the sweet bubble gummy concepts that girls are usually stuck with. This group just feels fresh, and really shocked me in the best way possible. I will definitely keep tuning in.
5. A.C.E
Main Bias: N/A
Favorite Song(s): Cactus, Callin’
A.C.E is pretty damn amazing! I have really enjoyed their music thus far and I can’t wait to see what they come back with next (though it may be a while now for a comeback). This group really impressed me with their debut ~
6. MVP
Main Bias: Been (I really want it to be P.K, but it’s Been, though I also like P.K)
Favorite Song(s): Take It
I was very pleasantly surprised with MVP’s debut song ~ I’ve been with Gi Taek since his time in MR.MR which is why this group had my attention from the beginning, but their song is what won me over ~ I look forward to hearing more from them to see what their sound evolves to for their next comeback.
7. The Rose
Main Bias: N/A
Favorite Song(s): Sorry, Like We Used To
This group is freaking awesome and I love their music! This is band #1 on my list, and there will be a second band after this one too. But I always love to see bands debuting in Korea and being mainstream music – too often bands are relegated to the sidelines in Korea and I hope to see more and more bands gaining popularity in Korea.
8. Honeyst
Main Bias: N/A
Favorite Song(s): Like You
WOOT Band #2 ~ I love their mellow rock music and soothing, smooth voices ~ I’m always relaxing and happy when I hear Honeyst ~ again I’m just so happy to see more bands debuting in Korea and being considered mainstream! I am all for this ~
9. 14U
Main Bias: B.S
Favorite Song(s): Very Very Very
So this group…I think I am more a fan of B.S than I am a fan of 14U (we have a 2nd JJCC/Eddy situation) but hey I still like what I’ve heard from this group so far and I look forward to hearing more form them…but really I look forward to seeing B.S…
10. Golden Child
Main Bias: N/A
Favorite Song(s): N/A
I can’t really say that I have really listened to Golden Child, but my freakish loyalty to Infinite has made me an unwavering fan of Golden Child – that is terrible to admit I know, but it is the truth. It’s not that I have not enjoyed Golden Child because I have, but their songs don’t stick in my mind like other groups on this list who have songs that get stuck in my head for days. I think I’m just waiting for them to release a song that just says “Golden Child” to me.
KpopInfo114 