The More the Merrier? Why K-POP Girl Groups Are Getting Bigger Again

Bigger girl groups are making a comeback in K-POP. While smaller lineups such as aespa's four members and ILLIT's five have enjoyed considerable success, recent rookies are taking a different approach. Groups like Hearts2Hearts, TUIDE and A2O LITE have debuted with seven to nine members, bringing large-scale choreography and diverse member combinations back into the spotlight.

The challenges of managing a smaller group have recently become apparent with ILLIT. The five-member group is currently promoting without Moka, who remains on hiatus, while Wonhee and Iroha are recovering from ankle injuries. BELIFT LAB confirmed their injuries on Oct. 29, just three days after the release of the group's fifth EP, "BREAK EVEN."

Despite their injuries, Wonhee and Iroha performed at Yonsei University that day, with adjustments to choreography and stage movements. The situation illustrates how unexpected absences can complicate promotions, particularly when each member accounts for a significant portion of the lineup.

Meanwhile, several major K-POP producers and agencies have been embracing larger groups. SM Entertainment debuted four-member aespa in 2020 before introducing eight-member Hearts2Hearts in February 2025, its first girl group of that size since Girls' Generation in 2007.

This year, HYBE's new label ABD launched seven-member TUIDE, while former SM chief producer Lee Soo-man introduced nine-member girl group A2O LITE and 15-member boy group A2O SOUL through A2O Entertainment. Having previously worked with large groups such as Girls' Generation and Super Junior, Lee appears to be revisiting a familiar approach built around coordinated performances and layered vocals.

One of the clearest advantages of larger lineups is choreography. Hearts2Hearts demonstrated this with "FOCUS," released in October 2025. The eight members move through formations that split into smaller units before coming back together, creating visual changes that would be harder to achieve with fewer performers.

A2O LITE takes a similar approach with its debut single "NEON," released on Oct. 13. Built around heavy bass and energetic beats, the song moves from paired choreography to full-group formations and dance breaks. Its layered harmonies also make use of the group's nine voices. The track reached No. 1 on Melon's Top 100 shortly after release, giving the rookie group an early breakthrough.

TUIDE, which debuted in August, offers a different interpretation of a larger lineup. The seven-member group introduced a sound it calls "soultronic," combining soul and electronic influences, through its debut EP "TUNE & PLAY." While Hearts2Hearts emphasizes synchronized choreography and A2O LITE leans into powerful performances, TUIDE focuses on bringing individual styles together within a cohesive musical identity.

Beyond the stage, having more members can create additional opportunities to attract fans. With fancams, TikTok challenges and individual content playing an important role in K-POP promotion, each member offers a different entry point for potential listeners. Larger groups also have more flexibility to experiment with unit performances and different member combinations.

Group size can also affect how agencies respond to unexpected absences. In a four-member group, one missing performer represents a quarter of the lineup, compared with one-eighth in an eight-member group. Larger groups may have more room to redistribute lines and adjust choreography, although the impact still depends on the missing member's role. BABYMONSTER, for example, has continued activities with six members while Rami remains on hiatus, showing that bigger groups are not immune to disruption.

Still, larger lineups come with challenges. Training, housing, transportation and styling become more expensive, while dividing songs and screen time among more members can make it harder for individuals to stand out. Building recognition for every member also takes time.

Smaller groups have their own advantages, as aespa and BLACKPINK have demonstrated. Both four-member acts have built strong identities while giving each performer room to develop individual recognition. Fewer members can also make schedules and promotions easier to manage.

The recent arrival of larger girl groups does not necessarily signal a return to an industry dominated by big lineups. Smaller groups remain successful, and agencies are continuing to pursue different approaches depending on their music and concepts.

Ultimately, the number of members matters less than how effectively a group uses them. With Hearts2Hearts, TUIDE and A2O LITE bringing larger formations back into focus, their challenge will be turning the advantages of having more members into lasting appeal.