The K-pop industry is one of the most competitive and fierce industries, with dozens of idol groups making their debut. Therefore, these K-pop idols must distinguish themselves to stand out and gain the popularity needed to bring them to the top.

This year was truly the boom of girl groups as there are already a handful of female idol groups that already made a big impression with exceptional visuals, performance skills, and catchy music that is receiving love from the general public.

On the other hand, many netizens are saying it might be a difficult year to pick the best rookie male group because there aren't many male idol groups that stood out among the dozen that debuted so far this year.

One netizen started a discussion in an online community and wrote, "There isn't really a male idol group that caused a sensation that deserves the Rookie of the Year award. So this time, I think they should get rid of separating the male rookie and female rookie awards. There are girl groups that definitely deserve it." 

Another netizen provided all the names of the male idol groups that debuted this year:
Jan 5: TRENDZ
Feb 16: KAILAS
Feb 17: JWiiver 
Feb 26: BLACK LEVEL 
Mar 2: TEMPEST
Mar 10: TAN
Mar 30: NINE.i 
Apr 20: YOUNITE 
May 17: TNX 
May 24: BLANK2Y 
June 20: SUPERKIND 
July 27: ATBO 

Netizens also joined and commented, "This is true, really can't think of a male idol group that comes to mind for the Rookie of the Year award," "I think they should just give it to the group with the best results," "I don't know any of the rookie male idol groups this year," "Were there male idol groups that debuted this year?" "The girl rookie groups are killing it but not the boy rookie groups," "Woah, I never heard any of these group's songs," and "I never heard of these groups."