By the end of every year, a new artist is recognized as Rookie of the Year (or Best New Artist) for their outstanding achievements after their debut. There are times when one artist takes home the said accolade at all five major music awards shows, such as Melon Music Awards (MMA), Mnet Asian Music Awards (MAMA), Golden Disc Awards, Seoul Music Awards, and Gaon Chart Music Awards-this is what we call "Rookie Grand Slam."
In the history of K-pop, only six K-pop groups have achieved the "Rookie Grand Slam". Know who they are below.
These Are the Only 6 K-pop Groups That Attained "Rookie Grand Slam"
1. SHINee
The very first K-pop group to ever achieve a "Rookie Grand Slam" is "The Princes of K-pop" SHINee. Naturally, the "Rookie Grand Slam" title was coined in 2008 when SHINee debuted and took the K-pop industry by storm, earning them every Rookie of the Year (or any equivalent award) at all major awards shows.
However, SHINee doesn't have a New Artist award from Gaon as Gaon Chart Music Awards was first held in February 2012.
Golden Disc Awards: Rookie of the Year - Album (with "The Shinee World")
Melon Music Awards: Best Newcomer
Mnet Asian Music Awards: Best New Male Group
Seoul Music Awards: Best Newcomer
2. iKON
iKON became the first K-pop group in seven years and second overall to attain the "Rookie Grand Slam" title around the time they debuted in 2015 with their first album "Welcome Back," which features the title track "Rhythm Ta." The digital single "My Type" preceded the album.
Gaon Chart Music Awards: New Artist of the Year
Golden Disc Awards: New Artist Award
Melon Music Awards: Best New Artist
Mnet Asian Music Awards: Best New Male Artist
Seoul Music Awards: New Artist Award
3. WANNA ONE
Two years after iKON obtained the "Rookie Grand Slam" title, project boy group WANNA ONE was the next K-pop to reach the milestone. Their debut album "1X1=1 (To Be One)" impressively sold more than 733,000 copies.
Gaon Chart Music Awards: New Artist of the Year (Album)
Golden Disc Awards: New Artist of the Year
Melon Music Awards: Best New Artist
Mnet Asian Music Awards: Best of Next, Best New Male Artist
Seoul Music Awards: New Artist Award
4-5. ITZY, TXT
Both ITZY and TXT debuted in 2019, and what's more interesting is that they achieved the "Rookie Grand Slam" at the same time. This means in each major Korean music award show, TXT and ITZY were announced as the two new best artists.
Gaon Chart Music Awards
TXT: New Artist of the Year - Album
ITZY: New Artist of the Year - Digital
Golden Disc Awards
TXT & ITZY: Best New Artist
Melon Music Awards
TXT: Best New Artist (Male)
ITZY: Best New Artist (Female)
Mnet Asian Music Awards
TXT: Best New Male Artist
ITZY: Best New Female Artist
Seoul Music Awards
TXT & ITZY: New Artist Award
6. aespa
aespa is the latest K-pop group to get a "Rookie Grand Slam". They became the second K-pop girl group and second overall to obtain the feat after they received the Rookie of the Year at the 2022 Golden Disc Awards. aespa debuted with the most unique concept ever seen in the K-pop industry and opened a completely new world adding AI avatars of the four members.
Gaon Chart Music Awards: New Artist of the Year - Digital (with "Black Mamba")
Golden Disc Awards: Best New Artist
Melon Music Awards: Best New Artist (Female)
Mnet Asian Music Awards: Best New Female Artist
Seoul Music Awards: New Artist Award
Is your favorite K-pop artist on the list?
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Written by Maria Scott
