When a member of a boy band or girl group announces plans to go solo outside K-Pop, it’s bound to cause some anxiety for fans, especially those who were there when Zayn left One Direction or when Justin Timberlake first went solo. Oftentimes, an artist gets roped into a group they didn’t originally plan for. Think about each member of One Direction auditioning as a solo artist for The X Factor; no wonder they didn’t last as long as we thought they would.
In the realm of K-Pop, this phenomenon isn’t as common. Sure, groups disband and members leave for various reasons, but trainees audition for South Korean survival shows with the clear vision of seeing themselves in a K-Pop group. Because of this fact, the nature of an idol stepping out to create solo music isn’t seen with as much fear and anxiety as Western pop fans are used to.
Unless you’re worried about whether that specific idol is capable of commanding a stage on their own, fans find an idol’s solo career to be another exciting step in their K-Pop journey. The idols listed below are just 10 of the current most exciting soloists in K-Pop.
10
Yves
Formerly of LOONA
LOONA was a group that gave rise to some of the most resilient idols in the industry. After the stress they experienced under their company, it’s a miracle that the women of LOONA would want to stay in the K-Pop industry. Thankfully, the twelve members of the girl group that garnered such a massive fan base are still active as two groups (ARTMS and LOOSSEMBLE) and two soloists, CHUU and Yves. The latter debuted as a solo artist in 2024 with “Loop,” a hyperpop-infused track that is sure to get stuck in your head.
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Yves’ first comeback arrived just six months later with I Did, a mini-album that sees her coming into her own as an artist, not only in K-Pop, but also in the global music scene. “Viola” is a fun, addictive track that was released with one of the coolest music videos I’ve seen recently, while “DIM” is a darker track that recently gained popularity through TikTok for its perfectly mixed outro that ends the mini-album on a melanchonic note that leaves every listener wanting more from this unique artist and her team.
9
Ten
The Superstar From SM’s WayV
Ten is a member of SM’s Chinese boy group, WayV, one of many subunits of NCT. Early on, Ten showed exceptional potential as a skilled performer, with a voice like water and the dancing abilities to match. On his solo tracks, he taps into a more sensual side that feels incredibly natural for him. Songs like “Birthday” and “Water” included choreography that only Ten could master. He shines in a group setting, providing a natural support beam for the other members of WayV, but his solo music presents an artist who I believe could make it on the global stage.
On his latest track, “STUNNER,” he taps into the R&B-pop sound that’s been missing in the Western market from solo male artists. The English version is just as good as the original, and I don’t see why Ten couldn’t become the next big thing.
8
Minnie
(G)I-DLE’s Siren Singer
When Minnie debuted as a soloist earlier this year, I didn’t think much of it. I enjoy much of (G)I-DLE’s music, and love her voice within the group a lot, but haven’t gravitated toward any of their solo music in the past. As I’m sure you can guess, all of that changed once I listened to her mini-album. The title track, “HER,” is pop perfection. With a Billie Eilish-esque instrumental and her sickeningly sweet vocal tone, you can’t help but become enamored by what you’re hearing. It doesn’t stop there.
The title track, “HER,” is pop perfection.
The B-sides on her album are on the same level as the title track. “Cherry Sky” is an atmospheric song that I could easily hear on mainstream pop radio. “Blind Eyes Red,” the mini-album’s pre-release track, has an edgier sound that makes me wonder what she can’t do. There’s even a duet with Ten where both artists shine evenly. Minnie is definitely one of my favorite soloists to debut in 2025 so far.
7
Jaehyun
NCT 127’s Underrated Vocalist
There aren’t many words I could write about Jaehyun that wouldn’t make me sound like his biggest fan, so I’m going to embrace that title upfront. As a member of NCT 127, Jaehyun is one of nine talented vocalists, rappers, and dancers. While there are songs and moments where he stands out, I feel as if he didn’t reach his full potential as an artist until he released his first album, J, in 2024.
Jaehyun’s voice is smooth, flipping into perfect falsetto in a split second on a track like “Smoke” or “Completely.” The R&B sound that he digs into on the album is exactly what I would’ve chosen for him. In my opinion, his best song so far is undoubtedly “Unconditional,” a song that was released shortly before he enlisted for his mandatory military service, another occurrence of a K-Pop star’s promotions being cut way too short. I already can’t wait for Jaehyun’s return to see what he does next.
6
Seulgi
The Incomparable Main Dancer Of Red Velvet
Red Velvet easily houses some of the most talented idols in the industry, both vocally and performance-wise. Seulgi, the group’s main dancer, has one of the coolest vocal tones that absolutely shines on her two solo mini-albums. Her long-awaited solo debut arrived in 2022 with “28 Reasons,” an eerie track that highlights her vocal ability from start to finish. Everything from the pre-release promotional teasers to the B-sides on this mini-album present Seulgi as a theatrical, powerful performer worth your attention.
Although her first mini-album is easily her strongest project so far, her latest track “Baby, Not Baby” and its accompanying mini-album are still worth a listen. The Britney Spears sample in the title track adds a layer of 1990s and 2000s nostalgia that elevates the instrumental to pair extremely well with her vocal delivery. If you’re looking for a female soloist, look no further than the women of Red Velvet, especially Seulgi.
5
Kai
K-Pop’s Main Dancer From EXO
When looking at EXO’s roster and the solo careers they’ve launched, it’s impossible to pick one member to use as an example of the group’s endless pool of talent. Some of the most talented vocalists in the entire industry include Baekhyun, Chen, and D.O., each having different but successful solo careers. By now, every member has released their own solo music, but I can’t help singling out Kai. As the group’s main dancer, Kai finds himself in the center position during choreography fairly often, but he also typically has one of the lowest number of lines per song.
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In his solo music, all of that fades until you’re forced to watch and listen to just Kai – and why wouldn’t you? From his debut solo track, “Mmmh,” to the gentle “Peaches” and heavy “Rover,” Kai does it all. His latest, “Wait On Me,” is his first release since returning from his mandatory military service, and it’s just what we all needed. I never get tired of watching such a skilled dancer perform some of the most hypnotizing songs.
4
Taeyeon
Girl’s Generation And South Korea’s Main Vocalist
Taeyeon has been in the game for almost two decades, debuting in 2007 with Girl’s Generation. Despite her place in one of the most iconic K-Pop groups, her solo music has taken on a life of its own. Taeyeon is easily a soloist that you can’t afford to look past with three full-length albums and six mini-albums under her belt, not to mention the long list of collaborations with artists like Jonghyun of SHINee and Doyoung of NCT.
She is a master of the K-Pop ballad, but also shows off her skills on more R&B-infused tracks like “To.X.” With such a long-lasting career, it’s no wonder everyone is still so drawn to her voice after all these years. 2022’s “INVU” is still one of the biggest K-Pop songs from a soloist, if not in general. If you’re looking for a clean master class in performance and singing, look no further than Girl’s Generation’s powerhouse vocalist.
3
Taemin
The Idol Of All Idols From SHINee
On a similar note, Taemin also stands as one of the longest-lasting idols in the industry today. He debuted with SHINee in 2008 as its youngest member, but quickly grew into an idol that all those who came after him look up to. Taemin’s stage presence, dancing skills, and vocal prowess are undeniable, with his post-military service comeback, “Guilty,” becoming one of his biggest songs in 2023. It’s obvious, while watching him perform, that Michael Jackson is one of his biggest influences. The way he dominates a stage all on his own speaks for itself.
Year after year, Taemin continues to improve upon his last release, cementing himself as an artist who is here to stay. If he were given the proper amount of promotion, I believe Taemin could easily make waves overseas as a male soloist the Western music industry so desperately needs.
2
Rosé
BLACKPINK’s Deserving Main Vocalist
The women of BLACKPINK continue to dominate the music industry, both in South Korea and worldwide. The first of the four to find her proper footing as a soloist after leaving YG Entertainment was Rosé. As the group’s lead vocalist, her place in the industry was already solidified, but her solo debut album made that place even more evident.
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rosie sees Rosé at her most vulnerable. In the musical stylings of Avril Lavigne or Taylor Swift, she reminisces on a past relationship, walking listeners through their story from beginning to end in an honest way that feels incredibly refreshing for a K-Pop idol. “APT.” featuring Bruno Mars, broke into every chart imaginable, but Rosé is more than her biggest hit.
1
RM
Leader And Rapper Of BTS’ Stacked Roster
The final group that’s impossible to ignore in K-Pop is BTS. The seven-member phenomenon is the biggest boy band in the world, but they decided that wasn’t enough. In addition to producing some of the finest K-Pop music, BTS also houses seven successful soloists, each embodying a different sound along the way. RM, the group’s fearless leader and one of their rappers, released one of my favorite albums last year with Right Place, Wrong Person.
BTS also houses seven successful soloists, each embodying a different sound along the way.
I can’t possibly go into every detail that makes this album so special, but it remains one of the most honest and creative albums to come out of the K-Pop industry in my opinion. Even the music video for “LOST!” is a spectacle, giving viewers a look inside the mind of an artist who deserves much more praise than he’s already received. It’s worth checking out every BTS soloist to find which sound is right for you, but I recommend starting with RM.
This story originally appeared on Screenrant
