Sometimes it can be fun to go back and see how far a K-Pop artist has come in their career. From young, inexperienced, and sometimes awkward or nervous on-stage to confident and powerful, the following artists have made tremendous leaps in their K-Pop journeys whether they’ve been in the industry for two years or over a decade. Here are 20+ artists’ debut stages compared to their most recent comebacks.
1. Red Velvet
Debut: “Happiness” (2014)
Now: “Psycho” (2019)
2. MOMOLAND
Debut: “JJan! Koong! Kwang!” (2014)
Now: “Thumbs Up” (2020)
3. Super Junior
Debut: “Twins (Knock Out)” (2005)
Now: “2YA2YAO” (2020)
4. GOT7
Debut: “Girls Girls Girls” (2014)
Now: “You Calling My Name” (2019)
5. (G)I-DLE
Debut: “Latata” (2018)
Now: “Oh My God” (2020)
6. PENTAGON
Debut: “Gorilla” (2016)
Now: “Dr. BeBe” (2020)
7. Dreamcatcher
Debut: “Chase Me” (2017)
Now: “Scream” (2020)
8. NCT DREAM
Debut: “Chewing Gum” (2016)
Now: “Boom” (2019)
9. SF9
Debut: “Fanfare” (2016)
Now: “Good Guy” (2020)
10. AOA
Debut: “Elvis” (2012)
Now: “Come See Me” (2019)
11. ATEEZ
Debut: “Pirate King” (2018)
Now: “Answer” (2020)
12. EXO
Debut: “MAMA” (2012)
Now: “Obsession” (2019)
13. MAMAMOO
Debut: “Mr. Ambiguous” (2014)
Now: “HIP” (2019)
14. KARD
Debut: “Hola Hola” (2017)
Now: “Red Moon” (2020)
15. IU
Debut: “Lost Child” (2008)
Now: “Blueming” (2019)
16. LOONA
Debut: “Hi High” (2018)
Now: “So What” (2020)
17. NCT 127
Debut: “Firetruck” (2016)
Now: “Kick It” (2020)
18. GFRIEND
Debut: “Glass Bead” (2015)
Now: “Crossroads” (2020)
19. iKON
Debut: “Rhythm Ta” (2015)
Now: “Dive” (2020)
20. VICTON
Debut: “I’m Fine” (2016)
Now: “Howling” (2020)
21. Stray Kids
Debut: “District 9” (2018)
Now: “Levanter” (2019)
22. TWICE
Debut: “Like OOH AHH” (2015)
Now: “Feel Special” (2019)
23. BTS
Debut: “No More Dream” (2013)
Now: “ON” (2020)
24. Apink
Debut: “I Don’t Know” (2011)
Now: “Dumhdurum” (2020)
25. Weki Meki
Debut: “I Don’t Like Your Girlfriend” (2017)
Now: “Dazzle Dazzle” (2020)
26. Golden Child
Debut: “DamDaDi” (2017)
Now: “Without You” (2020)
27. ASTRO
Debut: “Hide & Seek” (2016)
Now: “Blue Flame” (2019)