2025 was a roller coaster for the entertainment world — heartbreaks and triumphs in constant rotation. Even amid the chaos, K-content kept climbing, laying the groundwork for its next big leap. While Korean films slowed under the OTT surge, original series roared beyond Korea and amplified K-culture worldwide. K-pop and K-stars also expanded their global footprint, commanding attention like never before.
As year-end controversies sparked tears and the power of great content brought smiles, here's K-snapp's must-read recap of 2025. <Editor's note>
This year in K-pop, the Netflix animated film K-Pop: Demon Hunters and Rosé's smash hit 'APT.' won over global audiences, while a wave of rookie groups with standout talent burst onto the scene. Enlistments and discharges from male idols made fans laugh and cry, and human, relatable dating rumors among idols sent 'dopamine' levels through the roof. Here's what else filled the year.
◆ K-pop Went Global — From Rosé to 'K-Pop: Demon Hunters,' a Lightning-Fast Sprint to No. 1
2025 was the year K-pop commanded the world's attention. In September, BLACKPINK's Rosé proved it by winning 'Song of the Year' at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards (MTV VMAs), one of the U.S.'s Big 4 music award shows.
The grand-prize-winning single 'APT.' dropped last October and was born from a collaboration with pop superstar Bruno Mars. Rosé became the first K-pop artist ever to win in this category — BTS were previously nominated with 'Dynamite,' but did not take the prize — making the feat even more buzzworthy.
Rosé was also named a Global Hitmaker of the Year by Variety and, in a first for K-pop, earned nominations in the General Field at the 68th Grammy Awards with 'APT.' for both Song of the Year and Record of the Year. Continuing her solo path, Rosé recently signed with powerhouse U.S. agency WME, signaling a bold new chapter and raising fans' expectations.
Netflix's animated film K-Pop: Demon Hunters also shook the K-pop scene and sparked a box-office and chart frenzy. Its original soundtrack 'Golden' earned a coveted spot in the Grammys' General Field, further elevating K-pop's status. The track was composed, written, and sung by singer-songwriter EJAE, a former SM Entertainment trainee, with Korean American artists Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami also contributing. On December 10, Billboard reported that the 'K-Pop: Demon Hunters' OST achieved a milestone with seven tracks entering the year-end Hot 100. Previously, 'Golden' hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 while the OST album topped the Billboard 200 — undeniable proof of its impact. Billboard named the OST's chart storm one of the year's defining moments.
◆ From CORTIS to ALLDAY Project — The Rise of 'Monster Rookies'
2025 also saw the debut of several noteworthy rookie groups. CORTIS, BigHit Music's five-member boy group following BTS and TXT, drew massive attention right out of the gate. Their debut album 'COLOR OUTSIDE THE LINES' stayed on the Billboard charts for 14 consecutive weeks, turning heads. They also swept multiple Rookie of the Year trophies at domestic award shows, proving their heat.
In February 2026, CORTIS will become the first K-pop act to headline the NBA Crossover Concert Series, a music event held during NBA All-Star Weekend. They'll kick off the four-day run by headlining Opening Night.
Meanwhile, producer Teddy's THEBLACKLABEL rookies ALLDAY Project were a hot topic even before debut. As a rare co-ed group, they drew eyes — and their line-up made waves: Youngseo (once in the debut line-up for ILLIT), world-class choreographer Bailey, contemporary dance standout Tarzan, 'Show Me The Money 6' alum Woochan, and Annie, the eldest daughter of Shinsegae chairwoman Jung Yoo-kyung. Their strong individual characters left a powerful early impression.
Their July release 'FOMOUS' hit No. 1 on Melon's 'TOP 100' just four days after release, also topping the daily chart. Skyrocketing as true 'monster rookies,' they snagged rookie awards at major shows including the 2025 MAMA Awards and the 2025 Melon Music Awards (MMA 2025), cementing their presence.
Also noteworthy: Hearts2Hearts, continuing SM Entertainment's girl group lineage, and KIKI, IVE's sister group. Hearts2Hearts won 'New Artist of the Year' at MMA 2025, sweeping seven rookie trophies overall. Debuting in March, KIKI made an early splash with their pre-release debut single 'I DO ME.' Their Japan run stood out too — in November, they were the only K-pop girl group at 'Music Expo Live 2025' held at Tokyo Dome.
Coming in 2026, ALD1 (AlphaDriveOne), formed through the Mnet survival audition program BOYS PLANET, is set to debut — and K-pop fans are hyped.
◆ Who Came, Who Went — Male Idols Answered the Call of Duty
2025 brought a steady wave of military enlistments among male idols. The Boyz's Sangyeon began active-duty service in the Army band in March. With the 1996-born eldest member enlisting, The Boyz are expected to enter a full-fledged military hiatus starting next year.
SEVENTEEN are already in their military hiatus. Wonwoo entered boot camp in April and began alternative service. Hoshi and Woozi enlisted as active-duty soldiers on September 15 and 16, respectively. ASTRO member-actor Cha Eun-woo entered boot camp in July, breaking fans' hearts; he is serving 18 months in the Army band. GOT7's Youngjae became the last in his group to enlist on the 27th of last month, signaling their hiatus.
On December 8, NCT 127's Doyoung and Jungwoo enlisted side by side — Doyoung as active-duty Army, Jungwoo in the military band. On the 14th, the group's eldest, Taeyong, completed his Navy service and was discharged. His return helped fill the void as he effectively "passed the baton" with Doyoung and Jungwoo.
Most meaningfully, 2025 marked the year all BTS members completed their mandatory service. RM and V were discharged on June 10, followed by Jimin and Jungkook on the 11th. Suga also finished his duty as a social service worker and was released from assignment on the 21st. The full group is planning a spring 2026 comeback with a new album and a massive world tour, signaling a spectacular return.
Also on the 21st, former NU'EST singer Hwang Minhyun completed 1 year and 9 months of service and fired the starting gun on his comeback. He's set to MC the '2025 MBC Gayo Daejejeon' on the 31st.
◆ Juicier Than Most Dating Shows — Idol Dating Rumors
Girl's Day alum Hyeri drew intense buzz in July after dating rumors with dancer Woo Tae surfaced. The two reportedly connected through the 2024 film Victory, where Hyeri played Pil-seon, leader of the cheer squad 'Millennium Girls,' and learned choreography from Woo Tae. After the report, her agency Sublime said, "It's the actor's private life and we can't confirm," effectively acknowledging the relationship.
The biggest scandal of the year was the top-idol dating rumor: BTS's Jungkook and aespa's Winter. In December, alleged "evidence" — from matching tattoos and slippers to bracelets and in-ears — spread across online communities and social media, fueling speculation. BigHit Music and SM Entertainment, the agencies for Jungkook and Winter respectively, have stayed silent, which has only stoked the flames.
Jimin, Jungkook's bandmate, acknowledged that he dated and broke up with actor Song Da-eun in August. The pair were first rumored to be dating in 2022. After some BTS fans harassed Song Da-eun, she posted a video featuring Jimin. BigHit Music clarified, "They had feelings and kept in touch in the past, but that was years ago — they are not dating now," closing the issue.
Meanwhile, Girls' Generation's Tiffany openly confirmed she's dating actor Byun Yo-han. After multiple outlets reported the relationship and speculated a fall 2026 wedding, Byun's agency said, "Nothing is set in stone yet, but both actors wanted fans to be the first to know once they decide," responding swiftly. Naturally, attention turned to who in Girls' Generation might marry first — will Tiffany tie the knot before Soo-young, who has been in a long-term relationship with actor Jung Kyung-ho since 2012?