Top 10 KPop moments in 2025, with Stray Kids, the BLACKPINK members and more, according to Rolling Stone

Another year goes by, and it’s another year in which massive names like Stray Kids, BLACKPINK, and BTS make KPop great. And while they’ve all chosen to do it in their own different ways, it’s clear the genre soared to new heights in 2025. With epic moments such as a demon-slaying KPop film, solo work from established groups, massive world tours, and touching coming-out stories, this year is sure to go down in history.

Let’s break down the top 10 KPop moments in 2025, according to Rolling Stone:

10. KPop Demon Hunters becomes a cultural takeover
The animated film became Netflix’s most-watched movie ever, and its soundtrack became Spotify’s second biggest album of 2025. The soundtrack is nominated for multiple Grammy Awards in 2026, and Golden became one of the most successful tracks this year. It was impossible to escape the KPop Demon Hunters craze, with every kid, adult, and KPop fan loving it to the honmoon and beyond.

09. Stray Kids continue their unstoppable streak
Their dominATE World Tour ranked as the second most successful global tour of 2025 and their mixtape Do It extended their record of eight consecutive Billboard 200 Number One debuts. Every comeback pushed the bar higher and cemented Stray Kids as one of KPop’s most successful acts in 2025.

08. Hwasa goes viral with Good Goodbye
Her emotional breakup song debuted at Number 43 on the Global 200, hit Number One in Korea, and scored a Perfect All Kill across every major chart. The chemistry in her performance with Park Jeong min turned the song into a viral sensation, earning new traction from different audiences.

07. JUST B’s Bain bravely comes out on stage
During a Los Angeles show, Bain came out as gay to his fans and delivered a powerful performance of Born This Way. His honesty made headlines across the industry and marked one of the most courageous moments from any Korean idol in years.

06. TWICE gets historic achievements
TWICE became the first female KPop act to headline Lollapalooza, contributed a standout track for KPop Demon Hunters with “Strategy” and performed at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. Their influence stretched across live music, film and fashion all in the same year, proving that they’re not slowing down as one of KPop’s juggernauts.

05. CORTIS, Hearts2Hearts, and ALLDAY PROJECT shake up the rookie scene
Three rookie groups established themselves as rookie acts, all thanks to their addictive music and dazzling charisma. CORTIS became Big Hit Entertaiment’s third active group after BTS and TXT, ALLDAY PROJECT also became the first co-ed group in almost a decade, adding fresh energy to the fourth-gen landscape, and Hearts2Hearts brought youthful energy to SM Entertainment’s roster with sweet melodies.

04. Cocona of XG shares their identity publicly
On their 20th birthday, Cocona revealed they are AFAB transmasculine non-binary and shared that they underwent top surgery earlier in the year. Their honesty sparked meaningful conversations worldwide and earned deep respect from fans. While not strictly KPop, XG is a group that is related to the KPop world and was trained and promotes under that system.

03. Waterbomb Festival turns up the heat
Idols were drenched, the crowds went wild, and stars like Shownu and Kwon Eun-bi stole the spotlight with iconic performances. The festival only grew bigger, bolder, and more daring, proving why it is the world’s wettest music party.

Shownu in the tiniest white crop top at 2025 Waterbomb and CassCool this year 🥴🫠 He's so massive, it's unbelievable 😭❤️‍🔥 pic.twitter.com/7dbUQ8lL3u

— Lia K (@tomyluvshownu) November 16, 2025

02. BTS finally return from military service
All seven members came back from the military, mostly focusing on their solo activities but never leaving their group behind. It was confirmed that the “Dynamite” singers and rappers used the second half of 2025 to prepare for their grand comeback, which is said to happen with a full-length album and a 65-date world tour.

All 7 members of BTS have officially completed their military service. pic.twitter.com/xBSb5dAmsE

— Pop Base (@PopBase) June 21, 2025

01. BLACPINK dominates every corner of pop culture
BLACKPINK make sure to take over the planet as a full group and as soloists. Each member released a solo project to great success, including albums like “rosie,” “Ruby,” “Alter Ego” and “AMORTAGE.” Besides their individual endeavors, the group returned with the massively successful single “JUMP” and the colossal DEADLINE World Tour.