Review

2023 In Review: Day 13 – Rookie Artist of the Year

By Jung Bae | January 28, 2024

2023 In Review

1. Introduction + Best Album Art
2. Song of the Year
3. Album of the Year
4. R&B and Soul
5. Rock and Alternative
6. Rap and Hip-hop
7. Dance and Electronic
8. Pop and Ballad
9. Folk and Country
10. Jazz and Blues
11. Crossover and World
12. Best Collaborative Work
13. Rookie Artist of the Year
14. Artist of the Year
15. Other Recognition
16. Concluding Remarks

Notes:

To be considered as a rookie, an artist or group must have released their first album (EP or LP) no earlier than December 1, 2022. They are allowed to have released singles prior to that.
Work done in compilation albums, audition shows, soundtracks, and featured performances are not disqualifying: We only count full-fledged singles/albums carrying the artist’s billing.
Group and band members who debut solo, or form new groups without any actual debuts, are not considered rookies outside of exceptional circumstances.
The “Next 10” and Honorable Mentions are in alphabetical order.

Rookie Artist of the Year 2023

TripleS
For EP Assemble and EPs under +(KR)ystal Eyes, Lovelution, and Evolution subunits

The vision for a mega-group of fluid subunits, perhaps most closely approximated by NCT, has been taking shape over at Modhaus. While much of the benefits seem to manifest outside of the music itself (in touring logistics, for example), there’s no denying the fact that our first glimpse at the full structure in Assemble was impressive. The EP was a polished and confident package, both embracing and foreshadowing the work of subunits past and future, harmonizing the (then) ten members’ colors. The DNA of predecessor groups from Lovelyz to Loona live on through the aggressive investment in side tracks and forward-looking sound design. TripleS may or may not prove to be K-pop’s future, but the group’s complexity carves a page into its annals.

The Runner-Up

Kiss of Life
For EPs Kiss of Life and Born to be XX

Apart from TripleS, Kiss of Life may well have had the next two best albums out of the rookie girl group class. This quartet did it with a focus on vocals and rich acoustic soundscapes, not afraid to mix it up with member solos right away or work with thick grooves like those of “Shhh” and “Bad News”. It was a breath of fresh air in the flood of electronica and youthful concepts, and the execution served to further set this crew apart. The crown of premier vocal idol group is up for grabs in this current generation, and Kiss of Life showed both the willingness and talent to snatch it up.

The Next 10

: Gongtokki

: H1-Key

: Jeonain

: Kim Seung-bum

: Kang Aru

: Kohyo

: Leeinae

: Lee Earth

: Mosshill

: Yeonjeong

Gongtokki
For EP 하얀 밤 붉은 사랑 (White Night Red Love) and single “은하호수육교 (Milky-Walkway)”

H1-Key
For EPs Rose Blossom and Seoul Dreaming and OST work

Jeonain
For singles “폭우 (Downpour)” and “빈 (Empty)”

Kang Aru
For EP 나는 나를 미워한 적 있었네 (I Used to Hate Myself)

Kim Seung-bum
For LP Reverse and single “Fake Life”

Kohyo
For EP 0

Lee Earth
For LP 죽음의 케이크 파티 (Death Cake Party)

Leeinae
For EP 91105

Mosshill
For EP 분 (Grave) and single “녹색 소음 (Green Noise)”

Yeonjeong
For EP 사랑을 사람으로 그린다면 (If I Drew Love as a Person) and singles “배배 (BaeBae)” and “시간에 대하여 (About Time)”

Honorable Mentions

Ahn Kijung
Ahreum
Chaewon Jung
Colourmari
Eeri
Erøtic Wørms Exhibitiøn
HBSN
Jeong Seo-yoon
Jinsuha
Jisoo Yoon
Kim Yeonsong
Min Soo-hong
Miru Song
Mudmud
Nanparan
Oshii
Parasol Waves
Riize
Sara
Seo Chanyool
Seojung Son
Shin Jikseon
ShyboiiTobii
Suen
The Overlovers
The Pabloz
The Redemptions
Vanta
Vince
Xooos
Yoba
Younwho
Yuji Choi
Zerobaseone