allkpop

That's right, we're playing Korea's Next Top Female Rookie Group, 2009 Edition! It can go unsaid, but I'll say it anyway - 2009 isn't even over yet and the kpop music scene has been absolutely filled to the brim with girl groups both new and old. These past few months, we've seen duos, trios, quartets, quintets and more bud onto the fertile soil of the Korean entertainment scene, and while some artists have seemingly flopped, others have bloomed.

The question is, which group takes away the crown for this year's best rookie group? Let's take a step back to reexamine this year's top five new female editions to the kpop scene...

After School


Members: Gahee (26), Jung-ah (26), Soyoung (23), Jooyeon (22), Bekah (20), UEE (21)

Bio:: After an influx of "innocent charm" girl groups in the past few years, After School hit Korea with a completely new image - dubbed the "Korean Pussycat Dolls", the original fivesome gave Korea a lesson on what sexy really was. Furthermore, the members have interesting backgrounds; for example, leader Gahee dated DBSK's Yoochun, and Jooyeon was a famous net ulzzang. In April, After School added another member, UEE, bringing the group count to six. Though they've been keeping group activities on the DL lately, you'll see these girls in MV features, big-time endorsements & various shows such as "We Got Married"!

Claims to Fame: Gahee & Juyeon performed with sunbae Son Dambi back in 08, Gahee was part of Korean-American girl group S Blush, UEE played a role in the hugely popular drama "Queen Seon Deuk"

Weaknesses: Despite gaining attention at the start of the year, After School seems to have been put on the backburner while member UEE takes the spotlight with solo activities. We hope this will change with their upcoming October minialbum!

Top Tracks: Ah! (MV | Live Debut), Diva (MV | Live)

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2NE1


Members: CL (18), Bom (25), Dara (24), Minzy (15)

Bio:: Aptly nicknamed the "fearsome foursome", 2NE1 garnered fans before the group even had a name. Rumors of a "female Big Bang" had been circulating for over a year, so when the new group was officially confirmed, netizens were on it immediately. Since then, YG Entertainment has been excellent in promoting 2NE1 - for example, making a big splash debuting in a CYON CF with big bro Big Bang pre-debut. After setting things on FIRE with their debut, 2NE1 started gaining even more momentum. Since then, the girls have been rolling up fans like pros.

Top Tracks: Lollipop (MV), Fire (MV | Live Debut), I Don't Care (MV | Live)

Claims to Fame: five kchart wins (including Mutizens for "FIRE" & "I Don't Care"), Best Newcomer's Award at Asia Song Festival 2009

Weaknesses: Hype can be a double-edged sword - 2NE1 has gotten heat for being overrated and a product of excessive marketing. Since the girls have gotten A-list deals from the beginning (ie.the aforementioned CYON CF & associating their name with Big Bang, customized earphones from Interscope Records), many consider this foursome to have taken a shortcut on their climb to fame. Furthermore, people are taking a second look at 2NE1's songs due to recent plagiarism controversies that have hit YG Entertainment.

Fan Forum: YG Ladies

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4minute


Members: Jihyun (19), Gayoon (19), Jiyoon (18), HyunA (17), Sohyun (15)

Bio:: Like with 2NE1, many eyes were on 4minute before they even debuted - a new group with the return of ex-Wonder Girl HyunA, who wouldn't be curious? Anyway, 4minute hit things off with "Hot Issue" and a "candy funky" concept, aka rainbow eyegasm fashion. Though their first song met mixed reviews due to the "spoiled princess" concept, 4minute redeemed themselves twofold with "Muzik", pinning themselves onto the girl group map as a formidable threat.

Top Tracks: Hot Issue (MV | Live Debut), Muzik (MV | Live)

Claims to Fame: HyunA was a previous member of the Wonder Girls & has been featured in AJ's "Dancing Shoes", Sohyun was part of group Orange & was a child actress, Gayoon was featured in Mario's "I'm Yours".

Weaknesses: With 4minute's autotuned pop beats, many are questioning these girls' vocal talents and versatility. Also, many criticize the overemphasis of HyunA and lack of attention given to other members, especially leader Jihyun.

Fan Forum: 4 Minutes

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T-ara


Members: Eun-jeong (20), Hyomin (20), Jiyeon (16), Boram (23), Q-ri (23), Soyeon (22)

Bio:: Because this group had major line-up changes and was in the wraps for three years, anticipation for T-ara had been building for a relatively long while. Though the group, which was initially a fivesome, released its first MV in April, it lost two members and came back with three new ones to debut yet again, this time on Radio Star. Since then, the girls have been hard at work promoting their hit "Lies" and appearing on various shows & shoots.

Top Tracks: Lies (MV | Live Debut)

Claims to Fame: Collaborations with SeeYa & Davichi with "Forever Love"; Eun-jeong has also starred in many FT Island MVs, including "Lovesick" & "Thunder + Only One Person"

Weaknesses: Cute & sweet concept? You're a few years late! Not to say that these girls aren't gorgeous, but we've seen their concept done many times over... I hope T-ara will bring something completely new to the table soon!

Fan Forum: Diadem

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f(x)


Members: Victoria (22), Amber (17), Luna (16), Sulli (15), Krystal (14)

Bio:: Unlike the other groups on this list, f(x) essentially dropped out of nowhere - yes, some photos and rumors had been circulating the net for a few months, but most dismissed such comments as mere speculation. Dubbed SM's next "international girl group", f(x) features two Korean members (Sulli, Luna), a Korean-American (Krystal), a Taiwanese-American (Amber) and a Chinese leader (Victoria). Though this group hasn't been around for very long, the fact that they've already risen above the girl group battle hubbub is a success in itself.

Top Tracks: LA cHA TA (MV | Live Debut)

Claims to Fame: Victoria was featured in a number of projects prior to her f(x) debut, ie SHINee's "Replay" & a CF with Rain; Krystal starred in SHINee's "Juliette"

Weaknesses: It's hard to pinpoint exactly what it is, but some kpop fans simply aren't interested in "LA cHA TA". Whether it's because of the lack of an electronic pop beat or the muted fashion concept, certain guys & gals just aren't feeling it. Better luck next concept/song, girls!

Fan Forum: Aff(x)tion

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...And this is just scratching the surface - there's also Brand New Day, Honeysh, Navid, Sunny Side, Pink Heart, Devil & Angel, 7Size, Twiny, HAM and many more... plus, we have yet to see Nine Muses, Secret & Lady Collection. To say that the music scene is alive and oversaturated is an understatement!

We still have a few months until award season comes around, but you be the judge – which rookie girl group do you want to see more of? We know this will turn into a popularity contest, so remember to keep talent & potential in mind. Now let the battle begin!