K-pop girl groups who made their debut in 2026
Written by: Alena
This year saw the rise of new girl groups in the 5th generation of K-pop.
The younger generation of performers have proved their versatility and youthful energy, signalling an ambitious start to their journey as K-pop’s promising new acts.
Stepping into the K-pop scene with their vibrant stage presence and dynamic performances, here are some rookie girl groups who have made their debut in 2026.
UNCHILD
UNCHILD made their debut on April 21 with their debut single “We Are Unchild.”
The six-member act, consisting of Heekie, Tina, Haeun, Yeeun, Ako, and Evon, was formed by High Up Entertainment. They are the label’s newest girl group since STAYC, who debuted in November 2020.
“Unchild,” the extended play’s (EP) main track, is an “electronic pop song built around the idea of overcoming fear. The song delivers a bold message about pushing past obstacles and stepping into new experiences,” according to an article by The Korea Herald.
H//PE PRINCESS
H//PE Princess, also known as HIIPE Princess, debuted on May 27 with their first mini-album “17.7” and the release of the music video for “One Day.”
The seven-member group, consisting of YSY, Coco, Yuju, Doi, Rino, Niko, and Sujin, was formed through Mnet’s reality survival show “Unpretty Rapstar: HIP POP Princess” in December 2025.
“17.7” was produced by Korean hip-hop duo Dynamic Duo, with member Gaeko contributing to the lyrics, according to an article by Newsis.
Their pre-debut track “Stolen” was released on April 29.
OURBIRTHDAY
OURBIRTHDAY debuted on August 19 with the album “Our Birthday,” accompanied by the title track “Squeezy.”
The seven-member group consists of Kuk Cho-rok, Kirara, Baby, Cho Hye-jin, U, Shin Hye-won, and Achiraya.
According to an article by The Korea Times, the group’s name refers to the members’ aim to “treat ordinary days as if they were birthdays.” The article also mentioned that the label has described the group’s sound as “whip-hop,” a coinage combining hip-hop with a “free-form blend” of the members’ charms.
Managed by INNIT Entertainment, a subsidiary label of JYP Entertainment, OURBIRTHDAY is the company’s first new girl group since the debut of NMIXX in 2022.
Their pre-debut track “Hungry” was released as separate Side A and Side B unit performances last July.
TUIDE
TUIDE made their debut with the release of their EP “Tune & Play” on August 24 with the title track “Sun Kiss.”
The seven-member group consists of Seohee, Seoyeon, Elena, Jia, Saki, Seah and Yi Hani. Seoyeon is the younger sister of Jihyo of TWICE.
They are the first girl group launched by Hybe’s new subsidiary label ABD, which stands for “a bold dream,” according to an article by The Korea Herald.
Moreover, the article also says that the group’s name is derived from the phrase “Tune the tide,” reflecting its ambition to “harmonize the diverse flows of the world to create our own joyful flow.”
TUIDE describes their musical style as “soultronic,” which combines “the warm sensibility of soul music with the sophisticated, sleek sounds of electronic music,” the article added.
Their pre-debut track “GRLS” was released last August 7.
Which of these rookie girl groups are you most excited to see more from? Share it with us in the comments below!
