News1 surveyed Pop Music Experts about the Best Rookies in 2022 to mark the end of the year. A total of 33 officials from Kpop companies participated in this survey, and each chose two groups for the Best Rookies in 2022 title. This year's competition was intense, considering that many rookies are outstanding.
A total of 17 officials chose 'Min Heejin's girl group', New Jeans (Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin, Hyein) as the Rookies of The Year, as they have gained attention since they first debuted. NewJeans obtained 29 votes and was named as 'Super Rookies'. HYBE's label, ADOR (All Doors One Room), first launched this girl group in August. "NewJeans is going to be the icon of a generation, just like 'jeans' that you will wear anytime and never get tired of" NewJeans' drew attention with a unique strategy marketing approach as they released their first albums with three title tracks. Attention, Hype Boy, etc secured their #1 and #2 place on music charts and sold 310,000 copies on the first day of the release.
The experts who chose NewJeans commented, "The group has an approach that is nothing like the standards", "The group gains attention from the public as they debuted with the concept that is different from any other groups have pursued", "They were welcomed by the 10s and 20s with their Y2K vibes", "Their songs were outstanding, considering that they are a proper rookie group who has never debuted before", "They have been sensational since their debut, they created a syndrome with their outstanding color and music".
IVE (Ahn Yujin, Gaeul, Rei, Jang Wonyoung, Liz, Leeseo) from Starship Ent. gained 21 votes as they released 3 consecutive hit songs, setting up a new record, and obtaining the title 'Hot Rookie'. Their first single, 'Eleven', which was released in December last year, sold in a total of 150,000 copies on the first day of the release and successfully won 13 times in music shows. Their next release, 'Love Dive', which was released in April made them the girl group who sold 1M copies in the shortest period of time. The song secured a safe place in music charts and won 10 times in music shows. Their third release, 'After Like', sold 11M copies and won 13 times in music shows.
The experts who chose IVE commented, "The group has its own concept and storytelling that delivers the message of pop cultures in this generation really well", "They debuted with a hit song that made the entire nation sing along", "They have such outstanding achievements in digital sales, physical sales, and even global popularity as they consecutively released 3 hit songs since their debut", "Not only they have gained the hearts of primary school students, they have become the trending icon of MZ Generation", "The winner of the rookie girl group competition".
LE SSERAFIM (Sakura, Kim Chaewon, Huh Yunjin, Kazuha, Hong Eunchae) received 10 votes from the experts. LE SSERAFIM, from HYBE's label Source Music, has been gaining positive reactions from the public after they debuted in May this year with 'Fearless' and released a new song in October of the same year, 'Antifragile'. Both 'Fearless' and 'Antifragile' won 4 times in music shows and become the group that everybody knows.
The experts who chose LE SSERAFIM commented, "This group becomes the hot topic of the town and gains attention with the public through each member's narrative and intense choreography", "The ambitious and brave concept is really charming", "A member left the group at the same time they debuted, but they successfully turned that crisis into another opportunity with their storytelling and lyrics that suit the condition", "Despite their previous controversy, they have the potential as they released 2 hit songs consecutively".
Besides these groups, NMIXX, ATBO, and TEMPEST each gained 1 vote from the experts and obtained the title of 'Rookie of The Year'.
> Rookies of The Year
NewJeans (29 votes)/ IVE (21 votes)/ LE SSERAFIM (10 votes)/ ATBO, NMIXX, TEMPEST (1 vote each)
> 33 experts who participated in the survey
Director Go Giho (In Next Trend)
Director Kim Sangho (JYP Entertainment)
Director Kim Suk-kyung (Jellyfish Entertainment)
Managing Director Kim Yong-seub (FNC Entertainment)
Director Kim Jiwon (SM Entertainment)
Chairman Kim Jinwoo (RBW)
Executive Vice President Kim Taeyeob (Konnect Entertainment)
Director No Yeong-yeol (Amoeba Culture)
Chairman No Hyuntae (Think Entertainment)
Executive President Park Moosung (Yuehwa Entertainment)
Director Park Yong-bok (Wake One)
Director Bang Jaehyuk (KQ Entertainment)
Chairman Baek Changjoo (C-JES Entertainment)
Director Shin Minkyung (T.O.P Media)
Chairman Shin Joohak (Star Empire)
Regional Headquarters Manager Woo Chungrim (Woolim Entertainment)
Director Won Geun-yeon (Maroo Entertainment)
Chairman Wi Myunghee (Oui Entertainment)
Team Leader Yoo Jihoon (YG Entertainment)
Director Yoon Doyeon (Blockberry Creative)
Chairman Lee Wonmin (WM Entertainment)
Regional Headquarters Manager Lee In-gyu (Antenna)
Chairman Lee Jaeyoung (C9 Entertainment)
Vice Chairman Lee Junwon (Abyss Company)
General Manager Lee Jihyun (Starship Entertainment)
Director Lee Haejong (DSP Media)
Chairman Lee Hyungjin (MLD Entertainment)
Executive Vice President Jeon Seunghwi (Cube Entertainment)
General Manager Jung Jinho (HYBE)
Director Jin Jung-gyun (Grand Line group)
Executive Vice President Choi Sungpil (IST Entertainment)
Regional Headquarters Manager Choi Soori (Brand New Music)
Chairman Tiger JK (Feel Good Music)
-NewJeans were the last one to debut and yet they're the most sensational one
-If we're talking about achievements, it's clearly IVE. But I can totally understand why the experts chose NewJeans tooㅋㅋㅋ I hope these three groups will continue to do well. I love seeing girl groups doing well.
-I'm not a fan but I agree it's NewJeans
-How did NewJeans, IVE, and LE SSERAFIM all debut in the same year...ㅋㅋㅋㅋ It's f*cking awesome
-Out of those three groups, NewJeans is indeed the one that gives off the 'rookie' vibes the mostㅋㅋㅋ
-It's absolutely NewJeans, all of the members are 'new faces' that never debuted before. I really love their bright image.
-If we're talking about rookies, it's NewJeans. IVE gives off 'top girl group' vibes more than 'rookies' vibes.
-I personally think the same, NewJeans is the most sensational. But if we're talking about achievement-wise, it's IVE, though.
-NewJeans gives off 'rookies' vibes the most because they're all 'new faces'.
-I bet NewJeans will be right where Blackpink is at in just a few years...
-NewJeans and IVE both have great voice color. I'm really looking forward to them in the future.
-NewJeans is really amazing, considering that all of the members have never debuted before
-My personal favorite is LE SSERAFIM, but I have to admit that NewJeans' debut was really shocking
