The K-pop ecosystem with its vibrant, colourful aesthetics and multi-genre, dynamic performances has drawn in a steady global fandom through the last decade, since the explosive rise of BTS and BLACKPINK, two groups considered the pillars of the genre. However, the bright, attractive visuals, elaborate concepts, dazzling stage costumes and powerful choreographies of group music in South Korea has been largely drawn from the model launched by Japanese music labels, whose success has been confined to local fandoms, lacking the international vocabulary mastered by K-pop labels. Similarly, the model for K-pop has heavily inspired group music in other Asian countries like Thailand and Philippines, with some labels having improved on the already vibrant visual experience of K-pop to create immersive musical experiences combining VFX, themed costumes and makeup. Ready to update your playlist with music beyond K-pop? t2 spotlights seven rising groups from Thailand, Japan and the Philippines which are very much in the global music scene right now.
BUS, BE:FIRST
BINI
Formed through a 2019 television programme featuring aspiring idol trainees titled Star Hunt Acacdemy, BINI is an eight-member Filipino girl group which officially debuted in 2021. Widely recognised as “the nation’s girl group” in the Philippines, BINI is composed of members Aiah (25), Colet (24), Maloi (24), Gwen (22), Stacey (22), Mikha (22), Jhoanna (22), and Sheena (22). The music by BINI follows a visually enticing, vibrant aesthetic, with songs ranging from romantic, upbeat numbers to cutesy self-love anthems. In April 2026, BINI scripted history as the first Filipino act to perform at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. Pantropiko, an addictive, upbeat music video set against a tropical background, with the members dressed in summery pastel shades, is one of their most popular songs. The catchy first-love feels of Salamin, Salamin, the cutesy celebratory notes of Cherry on Top, and the anthemic notes of Karera have defined BINI’s unique niche in music, featuring colourful outfits with vibrant details and attractive make-up looks stealing the show for fans who love visual drama.
4EVE
Thai pop sensation 4EVE is a seven-member girl group that debuted in 2020 under XOXO Entertainment, and consists of members Taom (26), Jorin (26), Mind (26), Hannah (24), Fai (24), Punch (24), and Aheye (20). The group has featured in major international festivals including Head in the Clouds 2025 in the US, backed by the leading Western record label 88rising. Thai pop groups are mostly focused on spectacular performances and an edge-of-the-seat musical energy, and 4EVE’s most popular songs make a solid statement for these dominant aesthetics in T-pop.
The group’s 2024 single hot2hot became a viral sensation, with the official dance video surpassing 50 million views on YouTube. The song’s sleek, swaying rhythm is matched by a fluid choreography that incorporates moves performed with the traditional folding fan of Thailand, referred to as phat, creating a dynamic, fusion-inspired experience for viewers while the members are styled in chic western crop tops and miniskirts. Apart from the visual symphony of vibrant reds in hot2hot created by costume, hairstyling and fans used as dance props, other songs by 4EVE also use themes with dominant colours that reflect the mood of the lyrics. Their soft, reflective number Test Me, which channels the dreamy bubble teenagers find themselves in with the first crush, is visually matched by a lavender, pink and purple-themed backdrop, with members flaunting creative, colourful eye-makeup with sparkly eyeliner and face gems in radiant shades. Listening to 4EVE is not just a musical experience, but a visually enriching one as well, as their creative department makes considerable efforts to translate their musical vocabulary into allied aspects of production including hair, makeup and video backdrops.
JO1
The nine-member Japan-based pop group was formed in 2019 through Produce 101, a competitive reality show. The final members Sho Yonashiro (30), Ren Kawashiri (29), Ruki Shiroiwa (28), Junki Kono (28), Keigo Sato (27), Takumi Kawanishi (26), Syoya Kimata (26), Sukai Kinjo (26), and Issei Mamehara (24) were selected through the votes of viewers on the show, after which the group officially debuted in 2020, and went on to become one of the most widely followed J-pop groups around the world. In 2023, JO1 became the first major J-pop act to perform at KCON LA. Their performances combine rich visual effects with high-octane choreographies. Handz in my Pocket, the title track of the group’s 10th EP, channels all the signature J-pop vibes, with its bold, confident lyrics, upbeat, high-paced beats and a synchronized choreography. BE CLASSIC, on the other hand, fuses modern pop elements with compositions inspired by classical music, the music video heavily drawing on the aesthetics of vintage paintings. The royalty-inspired costumes of the members complement the mood of the song, where everything is tuned to look classic and elegant.
BUS
Formed through the 2023 reality survival show 789 Survival, BUS is a 12-member Thai boy group consisting of members Alan (23), Marckris (23), Khunpol (23), Heart (23), Jinwook (21), Thai (21), Nex (21), Phutatchai (21), Copper (20), AA (19), Jungt (19) and Peemwasu (19). The group’s name is inspired by the phrase “because of you, I shine”, which expresses their gratitude to fans. Thai group music heavily draws on the scenic vibrance of K-pop music videos as well as eye-catching choreographies, so it is no wonder that T-pop has now started following the footsteps of K-pop, gaining popularity with music enthusiasts who love seeing a remodeled version of the K-pop vocabulary through other Asian groups. BUS, in fact, was the first ever Thai group to perform at the popular Korean music platform Killing Voice. Their 2025 release BB blends gentle, stretched out vocals, chanting catchlines and subtly paced rap with an attractive choreography. Liar, on the other hand, brings out the group’s edgy charisma, with a performance-focused video and high-intensity rap cadences. So Blue, an R&B/pop number presents yet another side of the group, now singing about lovesickness against a youthful, jolly background filled with different shades of blue, which creates an energetic yet chill ambience for the song.
SB19
SB19
A five-member Filipino group that debuted in 2018, SB19 consists of members Josh (32), Pablo (31), Stell (30), Ken (29), and Justin (27). The first ever Southeast Asian act to be nominated in the category Top Social Artist at the 2021 Billboard Music Awards, SB19 is set to script history once again as they prepare to headline the Lollapalooza musical festival in Chicago in July 2026. Most of the group’s music is produced by the members themselves, and their style combines modern trends in world music with a detailed exploration of Filipino culture, using the tagalog language that forms the base of Filipino, seamlessly blent with English to create a “local-to-global” sonic profile. The group’s music videos also draw heavily from local mythology and folklore. GENTO, the group’s 2023 release, became a massive global sensation, gradually finding its way into short-form trends across social media platforms, with covers performed by leading K-pop groups like ENHYPEN, Kep1er, ATEEZ, ZEROBASEONE, &TEAM and more. The song features a raw, sultry vibe with powerful rap verses matched by smooth hook moves in the choreography.
G22
Widely referred to as P-pop’s “female alphas”, G22 currently features members AJ (23), Alfea (22), and Jaz (21), with former member Bianca having departed in 2023. Right from their debut, with the high-octane single BANG!, the group established its bold, quirky charisma with music focusing on self-celebratory notes. Their most recent release, Groove On, is a sultry, attractive number, heavily inspired by Y2K aesthetics, featuring glitzy backgrounds, sparkling outfits and elaborate accessories. Pa-pa-pa-palaban, a song by G22 released in March 2025, is a bold feminist anthem embodying courage and unyielding spirit, with groovy choreographies and an addictive hook-refrain. Released just a day before the International Women’s Day, the song celebrates female empowerment and calls all women to embrace their individuality and move forward with resilience against the obstacles thrown by patriarchy.
BE:FIRST
A rising Japanese boy group formed through The First, a 2021 reality survival show, BE:FIRST currently consists of members Junon (28), Leo (27), Sota (25), Manato (25), Shunto (22) and Ryuhei (19), with Ryoki having parted ways around late 2025. The group channels a unique sonic profile dominated by chill, lowkey rap cadences, bass-infused compositions, matched by choreographies that are sometimes powerful and at others, fluidly paced out. The music videos of the group are heavily inspired by street and hip-hop elements. The group’s March 2026 release BE:FIRST ALL DAY makes a statement for their signature style, blending street choreography and hip-hop gestures, with the repetitive, ultra-bass catchline being interspersed with rap verses. RONDO, a May 2026 release, draws on the titular term, a classical musical structure that features a repetitive catch-melody punctuated by contrasting sections. The dark-gothic hip-hop elements in BE:FIRST’s track fill up the sections between the repeating melodies with the group’s signature lowkey rap verses.