K-pop Groups 2026: New Debuts & Upcoming Projects
The K-pop Groups debuts of 2026 have introduced new boy groups, girl groups, and bands with different musical styles, member backgrounds, and paths into the Korean music industry. Some acts were formed through survival shows, while others were developed by established entertainment companies or newer labels. Among the notable debuts are ALPHA DRIVE ONE, LNGSHOT, hrtz.wav, KEYVITUP, UNCHILD, AND2BLE, TUIDE, A2O LITE, and A2O SOUL. Their official releases and agency announcements provide a useful starting point for fans discovering the newest names in K-pop.
This guide covers confirmed debut dates, member lineups where verified, debut releases, company information, and noteworthy upcoming projects. It also separates confirmed facts from plans that have not yet received a final debut date, so readers can use the article as a reliable reference throughout the remainder of 2026.
How to understand K-pop debuts in 2026
A group announcement does not always mean that a group has officially debuted. Entertainment companies may reveal trainees, announce a name, release a pre-debut song, introduce members, or confirm an album before an official debut takes place.
This guide uses the following distinctions:
- Official debut: The date reported for the group’s formal debut or first official debut release.
- Pre-debut release: Music or promotional material released before the formal debut.
- Upcoming release: An album or single announced for a future date.
- Announced project: A planned group or project that has not yet received a confirmed debut date.
The distinction is especially important in 2026 because several new acts have already released music while other well-known entertainment companies are still preparing their next groups.
Table of Contents
1. ALPHA DRIVE ONE
Official debut: January 12, 2026 | Company: WAKEONE
ALPHA DRIVE ONE is an eight-member multinational boy group formed through the Korean survival program BOYS II PLANET. The group officially debuted with its first mini album, EUPHORIA, on January 12, 2026. Its debut title track was “FREAK ALARM.”
The group’s name combines the ideas of aiming for the top, moving forward with drive, and standing together as one team. Its survival-show background gave fans an opportunity to follow the members before their official debut.
Members: LEO, JUNSEO, ARNO, GEONWOO, SANGWON, XINLONG, ANXIN and SANGHYEON. WAKEONE publishes the members’ birth dates on its official artist page.
Debut and music releases
| Release | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| EUPHORIA | Mini album | January 12, 2026 |
| No School Tomorrow | Single album | May 26, 2026 |
| UNBREAKABLE : 少年BEAST | Mini album | August 24, 2026 |
The group’s debut established its official discography, while subsequent releases gave fans more music beyond its survival-show history. The release titles and dates should be checked against the official artist catalogue when this article is updated.
2. LNGSHOT
Official debut: January 13, 2026 | Company: MORE VISION
LNGSHOT is a four-member boy group managed by MORE VISION. The act was introduced by producer and artist Jay Park, and its musical direction draws on hip-hop, R&B, and pop. The name references a long-shot attempt to change the odds rather than follow an expected path.
The four members are OHYUL, RYUL, WOOJIN and LOUIS. The group began its official career with the EP SHOT CALLERS, released on January 13, 2026, with “Moonwalkin’” as its title track.
Why LNGSHOT is worth following
LNGSHOT’s debut stood out for its hip-hop and R&B focus. Rather than relying only on a conventional idol-pop sound, the group presented itself around a more rap-oriented identity.
Fans can use the debut EP to explore the group’s first recorded material and follow later releases through its official artist channels.
3. TUNEXX
Official debut: March 3, 2026 | Company: IST Entertainment
TUNEXX is a seven-member boy group that includes former BOYS II PLANET contestants. IST Entertainment announced the group before its debut, which took place on March 3, 2026, alongside its first mini album, SET BY US ONLY. The title track is “I’m Alive.”
The announced lineup includes DONGGYU, INHU, TAIRA, SUNGJUN, ZEON, SIHWAN and ARCTIC.
TUNEXX is a useful example of how televised audition programs continue to shape the rookie landscape. A survival show can introduce trainees to audiences before their agency finalizes a group and releases its first official music.
For member ages, hometowns, roles, and other personal details, use current IST Entertainment profiles rather than assuming that all information shared during the show remains current.
4. hrtz.wav
Official debut: April 8, 2026 | Management: Kakao Entertainment
hrtz.wav is a five-member band formed through the music competition Steal Heart Club. Unlike a dance-focused idol group, its members perform in a band configuration, with vocals and instrumental roles. Kakao Entertainment announced the band’s official debut and its first EP, The First Wave, on April 8, 2026.
The members are KEITEN, HAGIWA, DANE, RIAAN and YOUN YOUNG-JUN.
Their published roles are especially helpful to music fans: Keiten plays guitar, Hagiwa drums, Dane bass, Riaan provides vocals, and Youn Young-jun plays keyboard. The band has a multinational lineup, with three South Korean and two Japanese members.
What makes hrtz.wav different?
The group broadens the meaning of a K-pop debut in 2026. Its identity is built around live instruments and a band format, demonstrating that the new-act landscape is not limited to traditional idol dance groups.
The debut EP also provides a clear starting point for listeners who want to compare the band’s sound over time.
5. KEYVITUP
Official debut: April 8, 2026 | Members: Five
KEYVITUP is a five-member boy group associated with the INTHE X project. Sony Music Japan’s official artist profile lists TAEHWAN, HYUNMIN, SENA, JAEIN and RUKIA and records the group’s debut with the first EP KEYVITUP on April 8, 2026.
The group’s branding centers on the idea of a key that opens new possibilities through music and performance. Entertainment reports around its debut also identify Kim Jae-joong as a figure connected with the group’s development.
What readers should know
The official artist profile verifies the lineup, debut date and debut EP. However, readers should not automatically assume that every member has a formally assigned role, official color, or individual representative emoji unless the company publishes that information.
The best way to follow the group’s activities is through its official artist listings and verified social accounts.
6. UNCHILD
Official debut: April 21, 2026 | Company: High Up Entertainment
UNCHILD is a six-member girl group under High Up Entertainment, the company associated with STAYC. The group debuted with the single album We Are UNCHILD on April 21, 2026, led by the title track “UNCHILD.”
Its six members are YEEUN, HEEKIE, TINA, AKO, EVON and HAEUN. High Up’s public profile lists their birth dates, making this group one of the more straightforward acts to research for a member-by-member directory.
UNCHILD uses a bold musical identity that combines electronic pop with garage-inspired sounds, electric-guitar riffs and experimental elements. High Up has described the concept as a rejection of restrictive expectations and an effort to express the members’ individuality.
UNCHILD’s next scheduled release
As of October 23, 2026, High Up has confirmed that UNCHILD’s second digital single, “TiNG TiNG,” is scheduled for November 5, 2026. The agency published its comeback schedule on October 23, so the single should be labeled as upcoming until it is actually released.
7. AND2BLE
Official debut: May 26, 2026 | Company: YH Entertainment
AND2BLE is a five-member boy group formed by members with experience in earlier project groups. Its lineup brings together former ZEROBASEONE members Zhang Hao, Ricky, Kim Gyu-vin and Han Yu-jin, alongside Yoo Seung-eon, previously associated with EVNNE. YH Entertainment confirmed the debut and released the first mini album, Sequence 01: Curiosity, on May 26, 2026.
The five members are ZHANG HAO, YOO SEUNG-EON, RICKY, KIM GYU-VIN and HAN YU-JIN. The lead track “Curious” introduces the group’s musical direction, and Zhang Hao and Ricky contributed to the song’s lyrics.
AND2BLE’s October 2026 plans
YH Entertainment has announced the second mini album, Sequence 02: Attraction, for October 27, 2026. As of this article’s update date, it remains a scheduled future release, not an album that has already come out.
AND2BLE is worth tracking because its members bring prior professional experience into a new group identity. Its developing discography also gives readers a clear release sequence to follow.
8. Keyveatz: A new girl crew from AOMG
Category: Hip-hop girl crew | Company: AOMG
Keyveatz is AOMG’s first girl crew, with a hip-hop identity and a five-member lineup. Its members are YUI, UM JI-WON, KANG YE-SEUL, SON JU-WON and KIM YU-NA. The lineup was announced in April 2026, and reporting around the announcement identified “Key Beats” as a pre-release track.
Keyveatz belongs in a 2026 K-pop roundup because its activities reflect the wider range of group formats appearing around the industry. Still, it is best described as a girl crew, rather than automatically classifying it as a conventional idol girl group.
For accuracy, the pre-release date and the formal debut date should be recorded separately if AOMG’s official release announcements identify them differently.
9. VAYONN
Official debut: July 6, 2026 | Company: iNKODE Entertainment
VAYONN is a six-member boy group developed by iNKODE Entertainment. Four members—Masato, Sen, Ayang and Jinyu—previously appeared on BOYS II PLANET, while Teru and Mano were introduced through the company’s INTHE X Project.
VAYONN made its official debut on July 6, 2026, with the EP Youth Today and the title track “MUAH!” The pre-release song “Watta Day” was part of its lead-up to the formal debut.
The group combines performance-focused pop with a youthful concept. Its pre-debut releases and audition-program connections also make it a good example of how agencies use more than one route to introduce new groups.
10. TUIDE
Official debut: August 24, 2026 | Label: ABD under HYBE Music Group
TUIDE is a seven-member girl group and the first act launched by ABD, a label within HYBE Music Group created to specialize in girl-group production. HYBE unveiled the name in July 2026, and the group debuted on August 24 with its first EP, TUNE & PLAY, led by “SUN KISS.”
The members are SEOHEE, SEOYEON, ELENA, JIA, SAKI, SEAH and YI HANI. The agency’s new-label project gives TUIDE a distinct place among 2026 rookies because its debut was tied to the launch of a dedicated production label.
The group’s name is derived from the phrase “Tune the Tide,” reflecting an ambition to blend different influences into a cohesive sound. Its members come from varied backgrounds, including South Korea, the United States, Britain and Japan.
11. A2O LITE
Release and debut announcement: October 13, 2026 | Company: A2O Entertainment
A2O LITE is a nine-member girl group under A2O Entertainment, a company established by former SM Entertainment chief Lee Soo-man. The group released its debut single “NEON” on October 13, 2026. The song quickly gained attention: Soompi reported that it reached No. 1 on Melon’s Top 100 chart on October 14, the day after its release.
The nine members are YOUNG, OA, AYUNE, AIJING, HIMEKI, RADA, XILI, VORA and MERCI. Public reporting identifies a multinational lineup with members from South Korea, China, Japan, Thailand and the United States/Japan.
A2O LITE is an important entry in the late-2026 debut landscape because it combines a multinational lineup with a new entertainment company and an early chart milestone. The chart result is a specific, dated achievement, rather than a general claim about popularity.
12. A2O SOUL
First pre-release single: October 13, 2026 | Company: A2O Entertainment
A2O SOUL is a 15-member boy group introduced by A2O Entertainment alongside A2O LITE. The group released “SUPERSTAR” as a pre-release single on October 13, 2026. The company subsequently announced its first album, also titled Superstar, for November 6, 2026.
Its 15 members are MOON, TAI, GAKU, SEE-ONE, SEOHA, SONO, LUCIEN, ZAI, AYDEN, ALURE, ZET, SORA, TEO, JUNE and HANSUNG. Public reporting describes the group as multinational, with members linked to South Korea, Japan, China, Thailand and Korean-American backgrounds.
The November album is scheduled to contain five tracks, including the double lead tracks “Superstar” and “Dancing in the Dark.” Because the release date is still in the future as of October 23, readers should treat its track details as announced information rather than completed release history.
Upcoming K-pop releases and projects
Not every important event in the 2026 rookie landscape is a new debut. Some groups have moved from debut albums to their first follow-up releases, while other companies are still preparing entirely new acts.
| Group or project | Announced next step | Status as of October 23, 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| AND2BLE | Sequence 02: Attraction — October 27 | Scheduled |
| UNCHILD | “TiNG TiNG” — November 5 | Scheduled |
| A2O SOUL | Superstar — November 6 | Scheduled |
| YG’s new boy group | Five-member group in development | No final debut date confirmed |
| YG’s new girl group | Four-member group in development | No final debut date confirmed |
YH Entertainment, High Up Entertainment and A2O Entertainment have published specific dates for the upcoming releases listed above. These should be checked again after release day before the article is updated to say that an album or song has officially been released.
YG Entertainment’s upcoming rookie groups
YG Entertainment has confirmed that it is preparing a five-member boy group and a four-member girl group. Its October 14 update said that both teams were still working on demo tracks and that the specific debut schedules would be finalized after title tracks were selected.
For that reason, these acts should remain in the upcoming projects section instead of being counted as confirmed 2026 debuts. The company’s plans are important to follow, but a projected season or an earlier target is not the same as a confirmed debut date.
The final group names, member profiles, debut songs, and release dates should be added only after YG makes official announcements. A working project name should not be presented as a finalized group name without confirmation.
Twenty interesting facts about 2026 rookie groups
- ALPHA DRIVE ONE was formed through BOYS II PLANET and debuted with the mini album EUPHORIA.
- ALPHA DRIVE ONE’s debut date was January 12, 2026.
- LNGSHOT was introduced by Jay Park’s MORE VISION and is rooted in hip-hop and R&B.
- TUNEXX includes former BOYS II PLANET contestants and debuted in March with SET BY US ONLY.
- hrtz.wav was formed through the band competition Steal Heart Club.
- hrtz.wav’s five members have separate instrumental or vocal roles, making the act a band rather than a standard dance-focused idol group.
- KEYVITUP debuted with a self-titled first EP in April 2026.
- UNCHILD debuted under High Up Entertainment with We Are UNCHILD.
- UNCHILD’s official profile publishes the birth dates of all six members.
- UNCHILD’s next single, “TiNG TiNG,” is scheduled for November 5, 2026.
- AND2BLE brings together four former ZEROBASEONE members and former EVNNE member Yoo Seung-eon.
- Zhang Hao and Ricky contributed to the lyrics for AND2BLE’s debut title track “Curious.”
- AND2BLE’s second mini album is scheduled for October 27, 2026.
- Keyveatz is described as AOMG’s first girl crew and is rooted in hip-hop.
- VAYONN includes members previously introduced through BOYS II PLANET and iNKODE’s INTHE X Project.
- TUIDE is the first act introduced by HYBE Music Group’s new label ABD.
- TUIDE’s debut EP is TUNE & PLAY, and its title track is “SUN KISS.”
- A2O LITE reached No. 1 on Melon’s Top 100 with “NEON” one day after its release, according to a dated
- A2O SOUL has 15 members, and its first album, Superstar, is scheduled for November 6, 2026.
These facts provide useful starting points for readers, but the article should continue to distinguish individual milestones from broader claims such as “the biggest rookie group” or “the most popular debut,” which require a stated comparison method and current data.
Tables
13.1. 2026 debut overview table
The following table brings the featured acts together in one place. Dates are based on official announcements or reliable coverage, and future releases are kept separate from completed debuts.
| Group or act | Debut / first release | Company or label | Members | Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ALPHA DRIVE ONE | Jan 12 | WAKEONE | 8 | Boy group |
| LNGSHOT | Jan 13 | MORE VISION | 4 | Boy group |
| TUNEXX | Mar 3 | IST Entertainment | 7 | Boy group |
| hrtz.wav | Apr 8 | Kakao Entertainment | 5 | Band |
| KEYVITUP | Apr 8 | Official debut listing: Sony Music Japan | 5 | Boy group |
| UNCHILD | Apr 21 | High Up Entertainment | 6 | Girl group |
| AND2BLE | May 26 | YH Entertainment | 5 | Boy group |
| Keyveatz | Pre-release activity in April; verify formal debut classification | AOMG | 5 | Girl crew |
| VAYONN | Jul 6 | iNKODE Entertainment | 6 | Boy group |
| TUIDE | Aug 24 | ABD, under HYBE Music Group | 7 | Girl group |
| A2O LITE | Oct 13 | A2O Entertainment | 9 | Girl group |
| A2O SOUL | Oct 13 pre-release | A2O Entertainment | 15 | Boy group |
Sources for the verified debut dates, lineups and labels include official WAKEONE, YH Entertainment, High Up Entertainment and Kakao Entertainment material, together with reporting by Soompi and other established entertainment outlets.
13.2. Member table
This roster table is designed for quick reference. For individual member biographies, the official name spellings below should be retained, while personal details should be checked separately against agency profiles.
| Group | Member names |
|---|---|
| ALPHA DRIVE ONE | LEO, JUNSEO, ARNO, GEONWOO, SANGWON, XINLONG, ANXIN, SANGHYEON |
| LNGSHOT | OHYUL, RYUL, WOOJIN, LOUIS |
| TUNEXX | DONGGYU, INHU, TAIRA, SUNGJUN, ZEON, SIHWAN, ARCTIC |
| hrtz.wav | KEITEN, HAGIWA, DANE, RIAAN, YOUN YOUNG-JUN |
| KEYVITUP | TAEHWAN, HYUNMIN, SENA, JAEIN, RUKIA |
| UNCHILD | YEEUN, HEEKIE, TINA, AKO, EVON, HAEUN |
| AND2BLE | ZHANG HAO, YOO SEUNG-EON, RICKY, KIM GYU-VIN, HAN YU-JIN |
| Keyveatz | YUI, UM JI-WON, KANG YE-SEUL, SON JU-WON, KIM YU-NA |
| VAYONN | MASATO, SEN, AYANG, JINYU, TERU, MANO |
| TUIDE | SEOHEE, SEOYEON, ELENA, JIA, SAKI, SEAH, YI HANI |
| A2O LITE | YOUNG, OA, AYUNE, AIJING, HIMEKI, RADA, XILI, VORA, MERCI |
| A2O SOUL | MOON, TAI, GAKU, SEE-ONE, SEOHA, SONO, LUCIEN, ZAI, AYDEN, ALURE, ZET, SORA, TEO, JUNE, HANSUNG |
The named-member lineups are supported by official artist pages or published member introductions for the relevant acts.
13.3. Birthday table
To avoid mixing unofficial fan-profile data with agency records, this table includes only the members whose full birth dates are available in the official profiles referenced in this guide. Dates use the international year-month-day format.
| Group | Member | Birthday |
|---|---|---|
| ALPHA DRIVE ONE | JUNSEO | November 20, 2001 |
| ALPHA DRIVE ONE | ARNO | July 7, 2002 |
| ALPHA DRIVE ONE | LEO | August 22, 2002 |
| ALPHA DRIVE ONE | GEONWOO | April 11, 2003 |
| ALPHA DRIVE ONE | SANGWON | May 8, 2003 |
| ALPHA DRIVE ONE | XINLONG | March 11, 2005 |
| ALPHA DRIVE ONE | ANXIN | December 25, 2006 |
| ALPHA DRIVE ONE | SANGHYEON | September 19, 2007 |
| AND2BLE | ZHANG HAO | July 25, 2000 |
| AND2BLE | YOO SEUNG-EON | January 2, 2004 |
| AND2BLE | RICKY | May 20, 2004 |
| AND2BLE | KIM GYU-VIN | August 30, 2004 |
| AND2BLE | HAN YU-JIN | March 20, 2007 |
| UNCHILD | YEEUN | December 21, 2006 |
| UNCHILD | HEEKIE | March 17, 2007 |
| UNCHILD | TINA | March 9, 2008 |
| UNCHILD | AKO | July 8, 2008 |
| UNCHILD | EVON | July 11, 2008 |
| UNCHILD | HAEUN | January 16, 2009 |
The date records come from WAKEONE’s ALPHA DRIVE ONE profile, YH Entertainment’s AND2BLE profile and High Up Entertainment’s UNCHILD profile.
13.4. Age table
The ages below are calculated using the birthdays above and the article’s update date, October 23, 2026. These are international ages, not the traditional Korean age-counting system.
| Group | Member | Age on October 23, 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| ALPHA DRIVE ONE | JUNSEO | 24 |
| ALPHA DRIVE ONE | ARNO | 24 |
| ALPHA DRIVE ONE | LEO | 24 |
| ALPHA DRIVE ONE | GEONWOO | 23 |
| ALPHA DRIVE ONE | SANGWON | 23 |
| ALPHA DRIVE ONE | XINLONG | 21 |
| ALPHA DRIVE ONE | ANXIN | 19 |
| ALPHA DRIVE ONE | SANGHYEON | 19 |
| AND2BLE | ZHANG HAO | 26 |
| AND2BLE | YOO SEUNG-EON | 22 |
| AND2BLE | RICKY | 22 |
| AND2BLE | KIM GYU-VIN | 22 |
| AND2BLE | HAN YU-JIN | 19 |
| UNCHILD | YEEUN | 19 |
| UNCHILD | HEEKIE | 19 |
| UNCHILD | TINA | 18 |
| UNCHILD | AKO | 18 |
| UNCHILD | EVON | 18 |
| UNCHILD | HAEUN | 17 |
Editorial note: Do not present an age calculated from a birth year alone as a precise current age when the full date of birth has not been confirmed. Update these numbers when the reference date of the article changes.
13.5. Nationality table
Nationalities are included only where reliable public reporting or official profiles provide a reasonable basis. This table does not infer nationality from a member’s stage name, appearance, or language.
| Group | Publicly reported nationality information |
|---|---|
| ALPHA DRIVE ONE | Described as multinational; use individual official biographies for member-level nationality details. |
| LNGSHOT | Melon’s artist listing identifies the members as South Korean. |
| TUNEXX | Check the current official member biographies before publishing a member-by-member nationality breakdown. |
| hrtz.wav | Three South Korean and two Japanese members |
| KEYVITUP | Described as multinational; member-level details should be checked against current official profiles. |
| UNCHILD | Do not infer individual nationalities from the names alone; use agency biographies. |
| AND2BLE | A Korean and Chinese lineup, including Zhang Hao and Ricky; consult the official profiles for current member details. |
| Keyveatz | Member-level nationality information is not included here without stronger confirmation. |
| VAYONN | Use iNKODE’s current member profiles for a verified nationality breakdown. |
| TUIDE | Public reports identify backgrounds including South Korea, the United States, Britain and Japan. |
| A2O LITE | Public reporting identifies members connected with South Korea, China, Japan, Thailand and the United States/Japan. |
| A2O SOUL | Public reporting identifies members connected with South Korea, China, Japan, Thailand and Korean-American backgrounds. |
13.6. Position table
Official positions should be distinguished from instrumental duties, songwriting credits and fan-assigned roles.
| Group | Verified role information |
|---|---|
| ALPHA DRIVE ONE | Member roster and birth dates are published; this article does not assign unverified official positions. |
| LNGSHOT | No member-specific official roles are assigned here without confirmation. |
| TUNEXX | Check the agency’s latest member profiles for official role assignments. |
| hrtz.wav | Keiten: guitar; Hagiwa: drums; Dane: bass; Riaan: vocals; Youn Young-jun: keyboard. |
| KEYVITUP | The official profile confirms members but does not establish a complete role list in the source used here. |
| UNCHILD | High Up has identified Hiki/Heekie as leader and main rapper. |
| AND2BLE | Zhang Hao and Ricky contributed to the lyrics for “Curious”; this is a songwriting credit, not a claim about an official group position. |
| Keyveatz | The act is described as a hip-hop girl crew; individual official roles are not listed here. |
| VAYONN | Verify member positions from current iNKODE profiles before adding them. |
| TUIDE | Yonhap identifies Seohee as the group leader. |
| A2O LITE | Individual member roles should be added only when confirmed in official material. |
| A2O SOUL | Individual member roles should be added only when confirmed in official material. |
13.7. Social media and official information table
Linking directly to official channels is better than linking to fan reposts or unverified accounts. The pages below are useful starting points for verifying member profiles, announcements and new music.
| Group | Reliable starting point |
|---|---|
| ALPHA DRIVE ONE | WAKEONE official artist page |
| LNGSHOT | Official YouTube channel |
| TUNEXX | Soompi debut announcement and official teaser coverage |
| hrtz.wav | Kakao Entertainment’s debut announcement |
| KEYVITUP | Sony Music Japan artist profile |
| UNCHILD | High Up Entertainment official profile |
| AND2BLE | YH Entertainment official artist page and official Weverse notices |
| Keyveatz | TenAsia lineup announcement |
| VAYONN | iNKODE’s official Mnet Plus release notice |
| TUIDE | HYBE’s label announcement |
| A2O LITE and A2O SOUL | Soompi’s member-profile introduction |
The linked material can help editors identify the relevant official social-media accounts. Before publishing an account handle as “official,” verify that the account is linked from an agency site or another authenticated channel.
13.8. Discography table
The table below focuses on releases that define the covered acts’ 2026 debut cycles and notable follow-up schedules. For an evergreen article, confirm tracklists and release dates again after a scheduled release date passes.
| Group | Release | Type | Date or status |
|---|---|---|---|
| ALPHA DRIVE ONE | EUPHORIA | Mini album | Jan 12, 2026 |
| ALPHA DRIVE ONE | No School Tomorrow | Single album | May 26, 2026 |
| ALPHA DRIVE ONE | UNBREAKABLE : 少年BEAST | Mini album | Aug 24, 2026 |
| LNGSHOT | SHOT CALLERS | Debut EP | Jan 13, 2026 |
| TUNEXX | SET BY US ONLY | Mini album | Mar 3, 2026 |
| hrtz.wav | The First Wave | Debut EP | Apr 8, 2026 |
| hrtz.wav | The Second Wave : MOMENTUM | EP | Sep 9, 2026 |
| KEYVITUP | KEYVITUP | First EP | Apr 8, 2026 |
| UNCHILD | We Are UNCHILD | Debut single album | Apr 21, 2026 |
| AND2BLE | Sequence 01: Curiosity | Debut mini album | May 26, 2026 |
| AND2BLE | Sequence 02: Attraction | Mini album | Scheduled Oct 27, 2026 |
| Keyveatz | “Key Beats” | Pre-release single | Announced in April 2026 |
| VAYONN | Youth Today | Debut EP | Jul 6, 2026 |
| TUIDE | TUNE & PLAY | Debut EP | Aug 24, 2026 |
| A2O LITE | “NEON” | Debut single | Oct 13, 2026 |
| A2O SOUL | “SUPERSTAR” | Pre-release single | Oct 13, 2026 |
| A2O SOUL | Superstar | First album | Scheduled Nov 6, 2026 |
The entries above are grounded in the respective agency, artist profile and release reports cited throughout this article. In particular, the AND2BLE and A2O SOUL dates shown as scheduled must not be changed to past-tense releases before those releases are confirmed.
Singles: The 2026 debut cycle includes tracks such as “FREAK ALARM,” “Moonwalkin’,” “I’m Alive,” “UNCHILD,” “Curious,” “MUAH!,” “SUN KISS,” “NEON” and “SUPERSTAR.” These songs do not all belong to the same release category: some are title tracks on EPs, while others are issued as singles or pre-release tracks.
Mini albums and EPs: ALPHA DRIVE ONE’s EUPHORIA, LNGSHOT’s SHOT CALLERS, TUNEXX’s SET BY US ONLY, hrtz.wav’s The First Wave, KEYVITUP’s self-titled EP, AND2BLE’s Sequence 01: Curiosity, VAYONN’s Youth Today and TUIDE’s TUNE & PLAY are key starting points for exploring this group of rookies.
Full albums: A2O SOUL’s Superstar was announced for November 6, 2026. As of October 23, it should be described as upcoming, rather than a released full album.
Japanese releases: This roundup does not establish a complete list of Japan-exclusive or Japanese-language releases for every group. Add such entries only after checking each group’s official Japanese discography.
OSTs: Do not add a soundtrack credit merely because a song appears in a drama-related playlist or a fan-made catalogue. Confirm the title, OST part number, official release date and artist credits with the soundtrack distributor or artist’s agency.
Special albums: No separate special-album category is added here without a specific verified release. If a group releases a special album, repackage, fan album or season-specific project later in the year, record it as a separate entry rather than mixing it with the debut EP.
13.9. Awards table
The following entries are group-level awards verified in published 2026 award coverage. The table does not claim that these are the only awards the groups may receive during the rest of the year.
| Group | Award | Year | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| ALPHA DRIVE ONE | SPOTV K-Pop Awards | 2026 | Best New Artist |
| ALPHA DRIVE ONE | SPOTV K-Pop Awards | 2026 | Artist of the Year (Bonsang) |
| ALPHA DRIVE ONE | The Fact Music Awards | 2026 | Artist of the Year |
| ALPHA DRIVE ONE | The Fact Music Awards | 2026 | Next Leader |
| AND2BLE | SPOTV K-Pop Awards | 2026 | Best New Artist |
| AND2BLE | SPOTV K-Pop Awards | 2026 | Artist of the Year (Bonsang) |
The 2026 SPOTV K-Pop Awards list includes Best New Artist for ALPHA DRIVE ONE and AND2BLE, while both also appear in the Artist of the Year (Bonsang) category. The Fact Music Awards list includes ALPHA DRIVE ONE among the Artist of the Year winners and the Next Leader recipients.
Do not fill the remaining groups’ rows with assumed awards, nominations or music-show victories. Add new records only after an official award list or reputable report confirms the result.
13.10. Group quick-facts reference
Some requested profile fields are not consistently available in official sources for every act. This table records the information that can be supported and identifies details that should be checked before publication.
| Group | Korean / Japanese name information | Confirmed leadership information | Fandom and official colors |
|---|---|---|---|
| ALPHA DRIVE ONE | Korean name: 알파드라이브원 | Not confirmed in the cited profile | Verify official announcement |
| LNGSHOT | Korean name: 롱샷 | Not confirmed in the cited profile | Verify official announcement |
| TUNEXX | Use the agency’s current official spelling | Not confirmed here | Verify official announcement |
| hrtz.wav | Official styling: hrtz.wav | Instrumental roles are available | Verify official announcement |
| KEYVITUP | Japanese profile: キビラップ | Not confirmed here | Verify official announcement |
| UNCHILD | Official styling: UNCHILD | Hiki/Heekie identified as leader | Verify official announcement |
| AND2BLE | Korean name: 앤더블 | Not confirmed here | Verify official announcement |
| Keyveatz | Official styling: Keyveatz | Not confirmed here | Verify official announcement |
| VAYONN | Korean name: 베이온; Japanese rendering: ベイオン | Not confirmed here | Verify official announcement |
| TUIDE | Official styling: TUIDE | Seohee is the leader | Verify official announcement |
| A2O LITE | Official styling: A2O LITE | Not confirmed here | Verify official announcement |
| A2O SOUL | Official styling: A2O SOUL | Not confirmed here | Verify official announcement |
These details are drawn from the relevant artist profiles and company announcements, including WAKEONE, MORE VISION, Sony Music Japan, High Up Entertainment, YH Entertainment, iNKODE and HYBE.
The table deliberately does not fill gaps with assumed leaders, youngest members, colors, fandom names or Japanese spellings. For a public reference database, confirmed details are more valuable than a fully populated but unreliable fact box.
14. Frequently Asked Questions
1. Which K-pop groups debuted in 2026?
Notable acts covered in this guide include ALPHA DRIVE ONE, LNGSHOT, TUNEXX, hrtz.wav, KEYVITUP, UNCHILD, AND2BLE, VAYONN, TUIDE, A2O LITE and A2O SOUL. Keyveatz is also included as a hip-hop girl crew.
2. Which group debuted first among the main acts in this article?
ALPHA DRIVE ONE debuted on January 12, 2026, followed by LNGSHOT on January 13. This answer refers to the featured acts in this roundup, not every independent or underground group that may have debuted during January.
3. Which new K-pop groups debuted under HYBE in 2026?
TUIDE debuted under ABD, a girl-group-focused label within HYBE Music Group. Its first EP, TUNE & PLAY, was released on August 24, 2026.
4. Which new groups are associated with Lee Soo-man in 2026?
A2O LITE and A2O SOUL are new groups under A2O Entertainment, the company associated with former SM Entertainment chief Lee Soo-man. A2O LITE released “NEON,” while A2O SOUL released “SUPERSTAR,” on October 13, 2026.
5. Which K-pop groups were formed through survival shows?
Several featured acts have survival-show connections. ALPHA DRIVE ONE emerged from BOYS II PLANET, hrtz.wav was formed through Steal Heart Club, and members of TUNEXX and VAYONN also have audition-program backgrounds.
6. Is hrtz.wav a K-pop idol group or a band?
hrtz.wav is a five-member band. Its members include a vocalist, guitarist, drummer, bassist and keyboardist, so its format differs from a typical dance-focused idol group.
7. How many members are in A2O LITE and A2O SOUL?
A2O LITE has nine members, while A2O SOUL has 15. Both groups are managed by A2O Entertainment.
8. Who is the leader of TUIDE?
Seohee has been identified as TUIDE’s leader in reporting about the group’s August 2026 debut.
9. When is UNCHILD’s next comeback?
UNCHILD’s second digital single, “TiNG TiNG,” is scheduled for November 5, 2026. As of October 23, the release is upcoming.
10. When will AND2BLE release its second mini album?
YH Entertainment has scheduled Sequence 02: Attraction for October 27, 2026. Readers should check the official release notice again after that date to confirm that the album was released as planned.
11. Has YG Entertainment confirmed the debut dates of its two new groups?
No final dates had been confirmed in YG’s October 14, 2026 update. The company said it was preparing a five-member boy group and a four-member girl group, with schedules to be finalized after the title tracks were selected.
12. Do all rookie groups have an official fandom name and color?
No single answer applies to every group in this roundup. A fandom name or official color should be included only after it is announced or documented by the relevant agency.
13. Where can fans find official member birthdays and ages?
Start with each group’s agency profile, which is generally more reliable than unsourced fan databases. If only the birth year is published, avoid assigning a precise age unless the full birthday has been confirmed.
14. Will every newly announced K-pop project debut in 2026?
No. Agencies may revise their schedules, and an announced group can debut in a later year. For example, YG’s October update did not provide a final debut date for its two upcoming rookie groups.
15. How often should this K-pop debuts article be updated?
Review it whenever a company confirms a debut date, releases official member profiles, publishes a debut album, announces a delay or changes a previously announced schedule. A periodic review at least monthly during the active debut season is a useful editorial practice.
19. Conclusion
The K-pop debuts of 2026 show how varied the rookie scene has become. Survival-show groups such as ALPHA DRIVE ONE and TUNEXX, the hip-hop-focused LNGSHOT, the instrumental band hrtz.wav, girl groups such as UNCHILD and TUIDE, and multinational projects such as A2O LITE and A2O SOUL each offer a different reason for fans to pay attention.
The next stage of the year will be just as important to follow. AND2BLE’s next mini album, UNCHILD’s scheduled November single, A2O SOUL’s first album, and YG Entertainment’s still-unconfirmed rookie debut plans show why an accurate K-pop debut guide needs to distinguish released music from future schedules.
For Kpopbio, the best long-term approach is to update this article when new official information becomes available, link each act to its dedicated group profile, and correct outdated dates rather than leave old plans presented as current facts. That will make this roundup a more reliable reference for K-pop fans searching for new groups, debut music and upcoming projects throughout 2026
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