There is one noteworthy exception on the list.
Koreaboo
1 hour ago
With the K-Pop industry being as competitive as it is, many groups that debut each year disband or become inactive for various reasons outside their control.
In 2012, 51 different groups debuted, but only eight are still actively promoting.
1. SF9
SF9 debuted on October 5, 2016, with the release of their debut single, “Fanfare.”
Amid different members’ military enlistments, SF9 have remained active, even embarking on a world tour in 2025. Their most recent comeback “Love Race” was dropped in March 2025.
2. KNK
KNK made their debut in March 2016 with “Knock.”
Originally a five-membered group, three former members have departed since their debut — Youjin in 2018, Seoham in 2021, and Heejun in 2022. Dongwon was added to the group in 2018. Their most recent release was in September 2020, though the group has not officially disbanded.
3. ASTRO
ASTRO made their debut on February 23, 2016, with “Hide & Seek.”
The group have remained active throughout the years while pursuing solo endeavors and subunit projects. Their most recent group release was in February 2025 for their 9th anniversary.
4. BLACKPINK
BLACKPINK debuted on August 8, with “Whistle” and “Boombayah.”
BLACKPINK are currently scheduled to make their comeback in January 2026, with their pre-release single “Jump” coming out at the star of their DEADLINE world tour in Summer 2025.
5. NCT
SM Entertainment‘s massive group NCT made their debut in April 2016 with the release of NCT U’s “The 7th Sense.”
Two more subunits would go on to debut in 2016 — NCT 127 and NCT DREAM. The group currently consists of twenty-five members and has added three new sub-units — WayV, NCT DoJaeJung, and NCT Wish.
5. PENTAGON
PENTAGON debuted on October 17 with “Gorilla.”
Originally a ten-member group, PENTAGON’s line-up is nine members following DAWN‘s departure in 2018. After many of the members left CUBE Entertainment, questions of the group’s status arose based on member activity.
Their most recent release was in October 2023 to celebrate their 7th anniversary.
6. WJSN
WJSN (also known as Cosmic Girls) debuted on February 16, 2016, with “Mo Mo Mo” and “Catch Me.”
WJSN‘s current member line-up consists of nine members following the departure of Xuanyi, Cheng Xiao, and Meiqi. Following the departure of members from Starship Entertainment, an official notice that the group had not disbanded was released.
7. VICTON
VICTON debuted in November 2016 with “I’m Fine” and “What Time Is It Now?”
Former member Chan departed from the group in 2022, and in April 2023 it was announced that Hanse, Byungchan, and Subin would not renew their contracts with IST Entertainment. By December 2024, all members had departed from IST Entertainment.
Their most recent release was in November 2022.
Honorable Mention: Momoland
Momoland debuted in November 2016 with the album Finding Momoland. After years of activities together, the group disbanded in February 2023 but in April 2025, the six members that remained signed a contract for group activities with Inyeon Entertainment.
The group made their first comeback in September 2025 with “Rodeo.”
With agencies often being an issue for idols, only time will tell if any of the other 51 groups will reunite in 2026.