KICKFLIP Crowned ‘K-Pop Super Rookie’ by Apple Music & Shazam! 🚀🔥 Why They’re Set to Dominate 2026!
The global K-Pop landscape is abuzz with a new sensation, as the burgeoning boy group KickFlip has officially been named one of Shazam’s ‘Artists to Watch in 2026,’ a prestigious acknowledgement that solidifies their position as true vanguards in the industry. This recognition from such an influential music discovery platform, powered by Apple Music, signals not just rising popularity but a definitive trajectory for global stardom.
On January 13, it was confirmed that KickFlip earned a coveted spot in the K-Pop category of ‘Shazam Fast Forward 2026,’ thanks to their compelling title track, ‘처음 불러보는 노래’ (First Song I Sing), from their third mini-album, ‘My First Flip.’ This annual list is a critical bellwether, identifying artists poised to lead the global music market in the coming year and beyond.
The selection process for ‘Shazam Fast Forward 2026’ is rigorous, leveraging Shazam’s potent predictive data combined with the astute professional insights of Apple Music’s global editorial team. This year’s list casts a wide net, spotlighting a total of 65 artists spanning 22 countries and across 20 diverse genres, making KickFlip’s inclusion all the more remarkable. Their breakthrough track, ‘처음 불러보는 노래,’ impressively soared to No. 48 on the Apple Music Korea Popular Chart last September, maintaining its chart presence for over 50 days and underscoring its widespread appeal.
In fact, this isn’t the first time KickFlip has captured significant global attention. Prior to this, their track ‘처음 불러보는 노래’ was also featured on Billboard’s discerning list of ‘The 25 Best K-Pop Songs of 2025: Staff Picks.’ Having garnered the esteemed ‘K-Pop Super Rookie’ moniker within their debut year, attributed to their formidable talent and boundless potential, KickFlip continues to amplify their global presence and unequivocally demonstrate their immense capabilities.
Building on this extraordinary momentum, KickFlip is set to celebrate their first anniversary with their inaugural fan concert tour, ‘2026 KickFlip FAN-CON
- 🎤 Seoul: January 17-18
- 🎶 Busan: January 24
- 🌟 Gwangju: January 31
- 💖 Cheongju: February 21
- ✨ Daegu: February 28
With a total of 12 performances, KickFlip is truly connecting with their fans on a grand scale as they mark this significant milestone.
This recognition from Apple Music and Shazam is not just about music; it’s a testament to KickFlip’s sophisticated global appeal and their undeniable potential to influence not only the sound of K-Pop but also its evolving cultural narrative. We anticipate their next moves with keen interest, as they are clearly poised for an era-defining impact.
As KickFlip continues to etch their name into the global music scene, Hello Korea will be watching every stylish step of their journey.
Editor: Sophia Kim 💎
