The Kraze's Favorite 2025 Releases From Female K-Pop Artists

Photo: Edited with images from Spotify

After Christmas wraps up, it’s time to close out the year. We’re ending off 2025 by asking The Kraze staff what were their favorite releases by female K-Pop artists. This year saw established groups continue to build upon their craft, group members make amazing solo debuts, rookie groups make stand-out first impressions, and KPop Demon Hunters grow into a surprise global phenomenon. Suffice to say, 2025 had us talking nonstop about all the content it delivered.   

Roxy’s Pick

The Kraze co-owner and CMO Roxanne Wilson “didn’t have many favorites,” but noted the solo debut of Dreamcatcher’s HANDONG as a stand-out release. The title track “Gray Zone” shows HANDONG embracing a hardcore, tough image: 

“I was pleasantly surprised by how much I like HANDONG of Dreamcatcher's debut single. It was an unexpected release from her, but totally fit the original vibe of Dreamcatcher so I loved it a lot.”  

Kelly’s Picks 

Co-editor-in-chief Kelly Sipko continued to sing praises of LE SSERAFIM this year, and who can blame her? The group’s first release of 2025, HOT, came out in March and remained a staple in Kelly’s listening habits for the rest of the year:

“Last year, I said that LE SSERAFIM’s “EASY” was my favorite music video of the year, and looking back I feel like that was a sign for the year to come. Their HOT mini-album has easily been my favorite K-Pop release in years,” she said. “While “HOT” itself was a gem, it's the B-sides “Ash” and “So Cynical (Badum)” that left me speechless at first listen. I've spent all year with both songs on repeat and at this point I have a feeling only LE SSERAFIM themselves will be capable of changing that.”

Clark’s Pick

KPop Demon Hunters truly won the hearts of people around the world, soaring to unprecedented heights for a Netflix original animated film. Editor Clark Royandoyan, who handles Ladies Corner, also fell in love with the feature’s soundtrack, but one song rose above the rest: 

“For a fictional group, HUNTR/X has had some of my constant repeats throughout the year. I was quite fond of “How It’s Done” considering that it clinched the no. 2 spot of my Spotify Wrapped, but “What It Sounds Like” is without a doubt my top pick for the year,” he wrote. “The ride that this song takes you through is just so powerful, and watching Rumi, Mira, and Zoey all come together is nothing like what I’ve seen before in any movie musical. Congratulations to EJAE, AUDREY NUNA, and REI AMI for such an amazing song for the year!”

Courtney’s Pick

WJSN’s DAYOUNG dropped her solo debut single, “body,” in September and it made a splash for its bold, personal touch. With the release gaining many achievements, including surging up on Korean music chats and earning DAYOUNG her first solo music show win, it’s no surprise that “body” also made its way onto writer Courtney Willis’s playlist:

“It has become one of my all-time favourite solo debuts that keeps finding itself at the top of my Spotify On Repeat playlist. I'm obsessed haha, and I'm really looking forward to seeing DAYOUNG's growth as a solo artist!” 

Cidney’s Picks

Music from two groups defined writer Cidney Atcherson’s 2025 listening habits. Both MEOVV and NMIXX released some phenomenal music this year, making it hard to pick a favorite. She found herself listening to “BURNING UP” and “KNOW ABOUT ME,” respectively, everyday: 

“Ever since MEOVV's debut, I have been enjoying every track they have released and “BURNING UP” has become my favorite release from them so far. It's a very upbeat and danceable song that you can listen to on repeat,” she said. “NMIXX's music is so good, and they were on a roll this year. While listening to “KNOW ABOUT ME” I can't help but vibe to the R&B/synth sound the instrumental has. Also, their vocals hold so much impact, I found myself rewinding it to hear certain vocal moments. I am very excited to see what these girls have planned for 2026!” 

Anya’s Pick

Cidney wasn’t the only The Kraze staffer blown away by NMIXX this year. The group also reeled in writer Anya Heaton, who described their 2025 releases, especially “Papillion” from Fe3O4: FORWARD, as ones that intensified her interest in the group:

“Their 2025 releases, from “Blue Valentine” to “High Horse,” all swept me away. But it's their B-side “Papillon” that takes the cake for me, with its intricate vocal layering and volatile tempo changes,” she wrote. “I have never heard anything like it in K-Pop before, and it scratches a musical itch in my brain I didn't know that I had. 2025 is the year that brought NMIXX from a group whose tracks I dabble in to a group that has me hanging onto their every note.”

Angelica’s Pick 

MAMAMOO’s HWASA only had one release this year, but she made it count. Since coming out in October, the soft pop ballad “Good Goodbye” only rose in popularity: as of December 30, it received a soloist record of 494 perfect all-kills, marking the times the song simultaneously placed No. 1 on top South Korean streaming platforms. Like many others, writer Angelica Vianello had “Good Goodbye” stuck in her head “24/7.” 

Antonia’s Pick 

When ITZY’s YEJI dropped her solo debut EP, AIR, in March, it quickly consumed the mind of outreach coordinator Antonia Patterson. While the title track “Air” was promoted on music shows, a B-side off the EP made its way to the top of Antonia’s list: 

“I enjoyed YEJI’s EP, specifically “Invasion.” The concept is fresh and I immediately added it to my playlist after the first listen. It’s so crisp and definitely a track I’ve kept on replay since it [was] released!”

Chloe’s Pick

KiiiKiii’s summer single, “DANCING ALONE,” was email marketing specialist Chloe Tso’s most-listened song of the year. Though Chloe loved other tracks from the group, “DANCING ALONE” carried a particular quality: 

“I enjoyed “I DO ME” as well, but this track feels straight out of a movie and transports me back to my youth. I can’t believe they just debuted this year, but I’m really liking their nostalgic sound so far and can’t wait to see their future releases!”

jacob’s Pick

This staff favorites list contains many strong rookie groups, and now  comes ifeye, who put out my top pick. Though they debuted in April, their summer comeback with the title track “r u ok?” impressed me with its layers of percussion that never seem to let up. From start to finish, “r u ok?” gives simultaneous satisfaction and the urge to play it over and over. I can’t wait to see what 2026 has in store for them.

It’s clear that the theme of “new” defines this 2025 list. New artists beginning their careers, older artists fleshing out new identities for themselves, groups who left rookie status not too long ago finding new achievements, and a film opening the door for a new generation of K-Pop fans. It sets up that perhaps 2026 can also bring something fresh, surprising, and innovative.

Edited by Clark Royandoyan