Who's the Most Talked-About Rookie of H1 2026?
2026.06.16 ~ 2026.06.27
We're already halfway through 2026. It's been a packed first half, with K-pop artists delivering no shortage of moments to enjoy — and this year, the rookies made an especially strong impression.
So, who left the biggest impact on you in the first half of 2026?
CORTIS — Built on the originality of their "young creator crew" identity, they proved a new paradigm for 5th-gen boy groups.
ILLIT — Dominated short-form trends with their signature addictive melodies and a quirky, lovable charm.
KiiiKiii — Hit a career high with playful sonic experiments and hip Gen Z visuals, opening a true "new era."
TWS — Carried their refreshing momentum forward, winning over both the mainstream and a solid fandom with their distinctive "boyhood pop" sound.
Hearts2Hearts — Showcased every member's charm through 'RUDE,' quickly building a devoted fandom.
The winning group will be celebrated across allkpop and allkpop Lab banners over the first weekend of July (Fri–Sun), and we'll reach out to the artist on behalf of allkpop to request an interview.
Period: June 17 – June 24 (KST)
How to vote: Once per day, up to 2 picks per entry
Prize: The winning group will be featured across allkpop and allkpop Lab banners over the first weekend of July (Fri–Sun), and allkpop will reach out to request an interview.
