The K-pop landscape has changed a lot in the past 25 years. Still in its early conception during the early 2000s after the debut of Seo Taiji and Boys, the popularity of SM Entertainment and DSP Media alongside the now Big 4 K-pop has seen K-pop become a multi-million dollar industry we know and love today.
Hundreds of K-pop groups debuted during this time, with 92 groups debuting in 2024 alone. Only 10% of trainees became full-fledged idols. Anniversaries are a big celebration in the world of K-pop.
In today’s article, we will break down the most notable anniversaries in 2025, dating back to 1995, and what celebrations you can expect.
Super Junior
Beginning at the start of the decade, few groups are more infamous than Super Junior. Following the success of previous SM Entertainment boy groups, H.O.T. and Shinhwa, the group is the company’s most successful and longest-serving act.
Debuting as a 12-member group, what makes Super Junior unique is their undying unity. Currently operating as a 10-member group, SJ members have become the pinnacle of K-pop success with individual success outside of the group 2025 promises to be another excellent year for the members with Kyuhyun, Yesung and D&E (Donghae and Eunhyuk) embarking on Asian tours.
SuJu will also be touring as part of the SM 30th anniversary tour, where they will likely be part of the company’s full International tour, which will see dates in Mexico, LA and London. However, if we know anything about these boys, don’t count them out; it wouldn’t be a surprise if we get a 15-year celebration one way or another.
In the meantime, check out this remake of the hit 2005 SuJu song “Miracle” by the latest NCT group Wish, as the NCT franchise and SM pay homage to the past.
DAY6
2015 was a big year for K-pop, the mid-point of the third generation. Many of the groups have gone on to long and successful careers that still exist to this day. Among the companies housing these groups, JYP Entertainment stands as the frontrunner, with multiple groups celebrating 10 years in 2025. DAY6 is arguably one of the most successful groups to brace the industry.
Debuting as a six-piece, the band has undergone massive change over the past 10 years. After performing on the independent scene, the band has grown in stature with dates across the world and now all across Korea. The first-ever Korean band to perform at the Gocheok Sky Dome, DAY6 return to arguably Korea’s most popular musician in 2024 after a lengthy and questionable hiatus has seen them receive unfounded success.
Beginning their third world tour, ‘Young Forever,’ in 2024, the band will spend 2025 in North America and Oceania, with more dates to follow. However, the kings of hard work don’t be surprised to see DAY6 teasing another release in 2025 or featured on the list of many Korean Music Festivals.
BoA
The K-pop world was in shock in April 2024 when it was revealed that solo icon BoA hinted at her retirement at the end of 2025. After deleting all her social media posts and releasing her single “Emptiness,” it seems that the writing is on the wall when it comes to one of the most successful careers in K-pop.
Debuting in 2000, BoA is indisputably the Queen of K-pop in Japan. The first South Korean artist to achieve a number 1 album on the Oricon Albums Chart, she has also achieved multiple certified gold albums by the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ). BoA is nothing short of legendary in Japan.
Currently touring with SM as part of their 30th anniversary shows and with upcoming tours in Japan, 2025 proves to be one of BoA’s busiest years to date. Let’s hope we get one more release before her contract ends on December 31.
GFriend
In 2021, the K-pop world went in shock when news revealed that four days after leaving company Source Music, GFriend announced their disbandment, calling an end to a successful career.
Fans were excited when members Eunha, SinB, and Umji announced that they had reintroduced themselves to the K-pop scene, forming VIVIZ under their new label, BPM Entertainment. It was a huge surprise when the girls announced their reunion for their 10th anniversary this year. Speaking to The Korea Times, the members expressed how they’re,
“Happy that we’ve become a group that has received so much love for such a long time. We’re grateful that we get to commemorate the meaningful milestone of our 10th debut anniversary with a special album and various projects.”
Beginning their activities in January, the group has already made their long-awaited comeback, “Season of Memories”, even performing the single at the 2025 Golden Disc Awards and appearing on the January 10 airing of KBS Music Bank.
Having already toured Seoul in mid-January, the group will tour Asia later this year, with dates in Japan, Hong Kong, and Taiwan.
Notable mentions:
TURBO
It’s impossible to talk about dance in South Korea without mentioning the name TURBO. Known for their electric moves and fast-paced choreography paired alongside the angelic vocals of Kim Jong Kook, the duo is one of Korea’s most infamous 1st gen groups, with returns in 2015 for their 20th anniversary and 2017.
They have quickly become one of the nation’s favourite nostalgia acts, with their songs covered and re-adapted by various artists, alongside appearances on variety and competition shows has seen the group find a new audience in Korea’s younger demographic.
While there are no set plans for a TURBO return, the year promises to be a busy one for member Kim Jong Kook, who has managed to go on and succeed in an even more successful career as an MC and host for various Korean shows as well as a successful solo career.
The musician was announced to perform at the 2025 Manila Waterbomb Festival. He will also appear in Kuala Lumpur as part of the Running Man ‘Run 2 U’ live event on February 15.
However, with a solo release at the end of 2024 with Yang Da-Il, don’t be surprised to see Kim Jong Kook and potentially the other members releasing a song sometime this year.
SEVENTEEN
2024 was an incredible year for SEVENTEE. After releasing their ‘SEVENTEEN best album ’17 is right here, the group embarked on their fourth world tour, performing across the US and Asia before topping the year in style by becoming the first K-pop act to perform at Glastonbury and Lollapalooza Berlin.
Celebrating 10 years, CARATs were surprised when it was announced that The Korea Minting and Security Printing Corporation (Komsco) would print 16,000 medals to commemorate the group’s milestone.
The group itself has reported that it will once again embark on a new world tour to celebrate its anniversary alongside a brand new release, both as a group and through SEVENTEEN sub-units BSS and Hoozi-Woozi, as many of the group start preparing for military enlistment. 2025 promises to be an emotional and busy year for CARATs.
K-pop Bangsong 