New girl groups debut, intensifying competition. YG launches BABYMONSTER, THE BLACK LABEL to debut new group. JYP debuts VCHA, UNIS, RESCENE.

As the 4th generation girl groups gain popularity, new rookie groups are debuting one after another, intensifying the fierce battle among girl groups. YG ENTERTAINMENT launches BABYMONSTER, and a new rookie girl group is also scheduled to debut from THE BLACK LABEL. Specific debut dates have not been revealed yet, but TEDDY, the head producer of THE BLACK LABEL who nurtured 2NE1 and BLACKPINK, is expected to debut a new rookie girl group in the first half of the year. The group ILLIT, which was determined through HYBE's survival show "R U Next?" that ended in September last year, debuted with their 1st mini album "SUPER REAL ME." Although they became a 5-member group due to Yongsoo's departure, they showcased a high-quality stage and already won 1st place on music shows. HYBE has now debuted their 3rd girl group since Source Music's LE SSERAFIM and ADOR's NewJeans. The competition among "K-POP localization groups" from major agencies is also attracting attention. JYP, which was the first to move in the localization strategy among Korean entertainment companies, debuted the Japanese girl group NiziU and then VCHA at the beginning of this year. VCHA, who debuted with their 1st single "Girls of the Year" in January, was born through the global girl group launch project "A2K" (America2Korea) co-produced by JYP and Republic Records, the NO.1 label selected by Billboard in the U.S. Korea is also looking forward to their future activities in America. HYBE's chairman Bang Si-hyuk is also debuting a girl group for American localization, transcending language and race. Through the global girl group audition "The Debut: Dream Academy" with Geffen Records, a new group is expected to be launched, starting full-fledged global activities through their American debut. Out of the final 6 members selected, only one is Korean. The 6-member girl group KATSEYE, developed in the "HYBE-style global K-POP group" system, is expected to achieve success locally. In addition to these, girl groups continue to debut from other agencies as well. Candy Shop, which attracted attention as a girl group debuting from Brave Entertainment for the first time in about 13 years since BBGIRLS (Brave Girls), had many Brave Entertainment producers who have produced albums for various girl groups such as Brown Eyed Girls, AFTERSCHOOL, SISTAR, and AOA. The 4-member group Candy Shop, with one Japanese member Yui, aims to showcase music representing their generation with diverse charms, and is expected to transform into the "icon of the MZ generation." UNIS, born from SBS's first girl group audition program "UNIVERSE TICKET," debuted last month with their 1st mini album "WE UNIS." The 8-member group UNIS includes two Japanese members, Nana and Kotoko, who previously worked as PRIKIL. The youngest member, Im So-won, who just graduated from elementary school this year at the age of 13, is attracting attention for what kind of activities they will show in the next 2 years and 6 months, as the group consists of young and fresh members. RESCENE, which caught attention with all members having center-class visuals, debuted last month with their single "Re:Scene." The group name carries the unique aspiration of "remembering the scene again with fragrance," aiming to deliver a fragrance of music that will linger in people's hearts for a long time. Japanese member MINAMI, who appeared in "After School Heartthrob," joined the group, attracting attention for her growth. VVUP, a 4-member girl group composed of members from Korea, Indonesia, and Thailand, debuted on April 1st with their 1st single "Locked On." The 5-member girl group UNICODE, debuting from XX entertainment, consists of all Japanese members. They were selected through the audition "Project K," in which about 35,000 people in Japan applied, and are scheduled to debut on April 17th. It has been reported that the title track of their debut album was produced by Jin-young, raising expectations for their debut stage.