The next BTS? Rookie K-pop boy bands to watch for in 2023, including NCT Hollywood and Tokyo, Chinese ‘Project C’ and a male version of NiziU

K-pop labels including those behind BTS, NCT and Stray Kids plan to launch at least 15 new boy bands in 2023

TV audition shows Boys Planet – the sequel to Girls Planet 999 that gave birth to Kep1er – and Fantasy Boys, sequel to My Teenage Girl, will produce new bands

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K-pop labels are introducing their rookie groups for 2023, hoping for the next BTS (above). Photo: courtesy of Big Hit Music

Published: 7:15pm, 19 Jan 2023

By Dong Sun-hwa

The K-pop scene is likely to be buzzing more than ever this year, with many new boy groups gearing up for their debut. The competition will be cutthroat, as these singers strive to become the next kings of K-pop following Grammy-nominated BTS, the members of which have just started their mandatory military service.

More than 15 boy bands will burst onto the music scene this year.

K-pop powerhouse Hybe is set to launch three male acts this year. Three sub-labels under Hybe – Big Hit Music, Pledis Entertainment and Koz Entertainment – will debut one group each.

SM Entertainment is forming two new subunits for 2023: NCT Hollywood and NCT Tokyo. Photo: courtesy of SM Entertainment

Big Hit Music represents BTS, while Pledis manages another high-profile act, Seventeen. Koz was established by rapper-producer Zico in 2019, but was acquired by Hybe in 2020.