Top 25 Rookie Artists of 2022: 25-11

Honorable Mentions

25-11

10-1

• Any artist who made their first official debut from December 1, 2021, to November 31, 2022, is eligible.

• Pre-Debuts don't count (Limelight), nor do temporary one-time project groups (Queendom).

• Supergroups, solo debuts, and group reformations and recreations do count.

• Redebuts in new languages don't count.

• Disbanded groups or retired artists don't count.

Now, let us continue with artists from 25-11.

25. Nayeon

Nayeon’s debut EP was not exactly akin to my preferred soundscape, but there is no denying its massive success. If JYP lets her, she can have a successful solo career while still part of Twice.

24. Shanaia Gomez

Shanaia Gomez’s debut single was standard, Doja Cat Say So-esque fare, but she has a strong voice, and could likely go far with this sound.

23. Tempest

Tempest’s discography so far can best be described as tumultuous, switching their sound and style each comeback. Thankfully, their poppier tracks such as Can’t Stop Shining have been highlights of the year.

22. Baekho

Baekho’s debut was a fine, middling pop track that continued NU’EST’s house soundscape, even growing it a bit. However, he makes his spot on this list due to his legacy as a producer, something that will likely come to use in his career.

21. Seulgi

SM has a habit of ruining or ignoring solo careers, lowering Seulgi’s ranking by a few spots. Nonetheless, debut 28 Reasons was a fantastic glimpse of potential from the Red Velvet singer, seeing her take on a classic SMP sound.

20. Kent Ito

Kent Ito is the latest vocaloid singer to make a solo debut. Much like the best known of them, his songs have a strong feel similar to early Yonezu Kenshi, which is always a welcome sign. 

19. Yerin

Of the Gfriend solo debuts, Yerin’s appealed most to me. Aria was an electronic-pop jam, and Believer’s pop-rock proved a nice pairing. She is, however, held back by the prospect of a Gfriend reunion, which would dampen her solo chances.

18. H1-KEY

H1-KEY, much like some groups we will get to later in the countdown, have suffered from member changes and behind-the-scenes controversy. Nonetheless, their music has been surprisingly consistent, with Athletic Girl being a bit of a sleeper hit for me this year.

17. Travis Japan

Ranking Travis Japan was one of the hardest things to do this year. While the group has some classic Johnny’s charms, their American push has been generic, just left me disappointed, and their sales have not had the intended effect in the west. Hopefully, they can pull a reverse-SixTONES, and prove they still have a strong J-Pop DNA left.

16. SennaRin

I love some anime-infused drama, which is exactly what SennaRin brought with Saihate, a theme for Bleach. With the song being a decent-sized hit, I can see her ranking growing with time.

15. CSR

As far as groups with potential go, CSR are quite high on that list. Their youthful brand of nostalgic and wistful teen-pop is reminiscent of Lovelyz and Gfriend. More music along the lines of Pop? Pop! could settle the group’s legacy.

14. Lauren Spencer Smith

Despite the genre being tried and tired, I love youthful, emotive, singer-songwriter diary-pop. Admittedly, Spencer Smith is no Susan Darvishi and Olivia Rodrigo, but I see potential in her, especially with songs such as Fingers Crossed.

13. L.S. Dunes

Supergroups rarely last long, lowering L.S. Dunes’ ranking a little. Nonetheless, the rock band had a solid year, releasing some fantastic songs (especially when they stayed away from the screamo side of rock). A who’s who of early 2000s emo rock, L.S. Dunes had a solid year heralded by a solid album.

12. NMIXX

Okay, let us not kid ourselves, NMIXX’s debut year could generously be described as a train wreck of epic proportions. Mysterious member losses and just really, really strange songs dogged their debut and never quite went away. Then why are they placed so high? Simply put, the group’s talent is undeniable, and each of their songs have had fantastic bursts of potential. As long as JYP doesn’t pull an Itzy or Day6, NMIXX have more than a chance.

11. Jeremy Lee

Hong Kong boy band Mirror’s 2022 was marred by tragedy and controversy, but as a sideshow to the dramatic concert crash, member Jeremy Lee began a solo career to great effect. While Half may have been a tad overdramatic, Apollo and Nine stood as some of the year’s best surprises.