UNITE Soars to the Top in Seoul Music Awards' Rising Star Category
UNITE has taken the lead in the Rising Star category's first round of the 34th Seoul Music Awards, showcasing their rising popularity. The mobile voting, which took place from noon on the 24th of last month via the official Seoul Music Awards voting app, saw UNITE securing the top spot, with BEBEUP and 82MAJOR following closely in second and third places, respectively.
Out of 60 teams competing in the Rising Star category's first round, half have advanced to the second round of preliminaries. Notable teams moving forward include TEMPEST, FANTASY BOYS, ONE PACT, ALL(H)OURS, ATBO, TNX, and DIAMOND, among others. This newly established category aims to support idol groups within their first three years of debut, providing a platform for artists from smaller agencies to showcase their talents.
The second round of preliminaries is set to take place from the 10th to the 23rd through the 'K-Pop Seoul' app, where the competition will narrow down to the final 10 teams. The top 1-2 teams from the final selection will have the opportunity to perform a special stage at the main awards ceremony.
The organizing committee emphasized the importance of this category in offering opportunities to artists from smaller agencies, stating, "We've established this category to give a chance to those who face difficulties in standing on large stages. It's a significant moment that will plant dreams and hopes in the hearts of new artists leading the future of the K-POP industry. These artists will overcome the capital gap between agencies and get the chance to introduce their music and performances to fans worldwide."
The 34th Seoul Music Awards is scheduled for June 21, 2025, at the INSPIRE ARENA in Incheon's Yeongjong Island. Since its inception in 1990 to promote popular music, the Seoul Music Awards has grown into a comprehensive platform for the domestic music industry, fueling the Hallyu wave for over 30 years. This year's event at the state-of-the-art INSPIRE ARENA promises an upgraded stage setup and stunning visuals.
Here's the list of teams advancing to the second round of the Rising Star category: TEMPEST, FANTASY BOYS, ONE PACT, ALL(H)OURS, ATBO, TNX, DIAMOND, POW, BADVILLAIN, LUN8, EVNNE, SEVENUS, MA:IN, LOVElution, EXIN, MIYAO, SAY MY NAME, ODD EYE CIRCLE, NOMAD, E'LAST, HIGH FIVE UNICORN, TIOT, FIRST LOVE, BUSTERS, SOFIA, AMPERS&ONE, YOUNG POSSE.