Who is the most anticipated singer of 2025, chosen by 34 experts?

As BTS, a group that is expected to complete its military service in 2025, has been selected by pop music experts as the most anticipated singer (group) of 2025.

News 1 recently conducted a survey targeting pop music experts on the topic of 'the most anticipated singer of 2025'. A total of 34 people from music agencies participated in this survey, and each person selected one team (person) and explained the reason for their choice. As a result, BTS took first place with a total of 5 votes.

BTS, who debuted in June 2013, received much love in Korea with songs such as "Boy in Luv," "Dope," "Boys in High School," and "Blood, Sweat & Tears." They also gained significant recognition overseas when the title song "DNA" from their 5th mini-album "LOVE YOURSELF 承 'Her'" released in 2017 entered the U.S. Billboard's main single chart, "Hot 100," for the first time.

Since then, BTS has received love from many fans around the world while conducting global activities, and when "Dynamite," released in September 2020, achieved No. 1 on Billboard's "Hot 100" for the first time as a Korean singer, they stood tall as a singer representing Korea in name and reality. In particular, with the special album "BE" released in November 2020 and the title song "Life Goes On," they simultaneously swept No. 1 on Billboard's "Hot 100" and the main album chart, "Billboard 200."

BTS, which had enjoyed such worldwide popularity, has temporarily halted full group activities as the members enlisted in the military one by one starting in 2022. First, the eldest brother Jin enlisted in December 2022, followed by J-Hope in April 2023. After that, Suga began his mandatory military service as a social service worker in September 2023, and in December 2023, RM, V, Jimin, and Jungkook enlisted as active-duty soldiers.

BTS Jin (left) and J-Hope ⓒ News 1 Reporter Kwon Hyun-jin

Even during their military service, BTS members' solo songs received much love. Among them, Jungkook's "Seven (feat. Latto)" released in July 2023 ranked first on Billboard's "Hot 100," and his first full-length solo album "GOLDEN" released in November ranked second on Billboard 200, proving his global popularity once again.

Meanwhile, as BTS members are being discharged one by one, expectations for full group activities in 2025 are also rising. Jin was the first to be discharged in June of last year, and J-Hope also finished his active duty and returned to fans in October of the same year. The remaining members will be discharged and released in June of this year, so fans are already showing great interest in full group activities.

A music industry insider who chose BTS as the most anticipated singer of 2025 stated the reason as, "It is the time when the entire group will return, so we are looking forward to their activities and the members' activities."

Another music insider responded, "BTS will finally return in June 2025," adding, "Two members have been discharged from the military, and five are currently serving in the military, but they will all return next year. BTS maintained their power despite being in the military this year, and they will remain at the top of K-pop in 2024."

In particular, this official evaluated, "Just the news of BTS's return caused HYBE's stock price to soar, and it is a symbolic entity that can change the outlook for the K-pop industry."

It's bulletproof after all