14 'Most Notable K-pop Idols in 2022': Stray Kids, Secret Number Top Rankings!

By Eunice Dawson Feb 02, 2022

Who's the most notable K-POP idol in 2022? In survey results released by Forbes Korea, 14 K-pop acts, including Stray Kids, Secret Number, more dominated the list!

This year, many idol groups are expected to debut or make a comeback – but who will be the main characters who will bring a new K-pop craze? In a survey held by Forbes Korea in partnership with Idol Champ, the "most notable K-pop idols in 2022" were determined. The voting ran from Dec. 27 last year to Jan. 10, and as a result on Feb. 3, Secret Number and Stray Kids reigned atop.

Secret Number, Stray Kids Crowned as Most Notable K-pop Idols in 2022

14 'Most Notable K-pop Idols in 2022': Stray Kids, Secret Number Top Rankings!

(Photo : Secret Number (Instagram))

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In the female category, Secret Number won a definite first place after gaining 11,020 votes or 67.07% of the total votes. In particular, the septet is a multinational group comprised of Koreans, Japanese, Indonesian and American. They debuted in 2020 and received initial attention for being the group to debut the first Indonesian K-pop idol, Dita.

Soon after, the "rising rookies" Secret Number build a huge international fandom, with their debut track, "Who Dis?" MV exceeded 40 million. This is truly a huge accomplishment as it is rare for a girl group that came from a small-sized company to achieve such views.

(Photo : Stray Kids (Instagram))

Stray Kids then dominated the male category as No. 1 with 11,169 votes, or 32.27% of the total votes in the men's sector. Stray Kids is an eight-member group launched in 2018 under JYP Entertainment.

Aside from their idol skills, the group specifically 3RACHA (Bang Chan, Changbin, Han) received recognition as a "self-produced" team that writes and composes their own song. In fact, all members are credited for participating in their songs as well, aside from the aforementioned trio.

ATEEZ, Kep1er, TWICE Enter '14 Most Notable K-pop Idols in 2022'

(Photo : Kep1er (Instagram))

Following Secret Number, Kep1er ranked second with 3,435 votes. Although the group just debuted this year with their album, "FIRST IMPACT" along with its title track, "WA DA DA," the group continue to rise in the music scene, evident in their MV views of 53 million, just a month after its release on Jan. 3.

(Photo : ATEEZ (Instagram))

In the male category, ATEEZ tried to beat Stray Kids but unfortunately finished the battle with 8,559 votes. Nevertheless, ATEEZ who is considered a "4th-Gen Leader" already kicked off with a new release, UNIVERSE MUSIC's "Don't Stop," showing a promising feat this year after topping the worldwide iTunes Song Chart.