On July 31 (local time), Billboard announced the "21 Under 21" list for 2026. Three groups supported by Korean entertainment companies including Katseye, Cortis and Girlset are all named.
The annual list selects 21 artists or bands based on many criteria, including album sales, songs, streams, social media coverage, radio and television achievements, and influence in the music industry.
Katseye is a global girl group co-founded by Hybe and Geffen Records. This is the second consecutive year the group has been on Billboard's list.
The American music magazine commented that the past year was Katseye's most successful period since their debut. The group premiered at the Lollapalooza music festival, received two Grammy nominations and had three songs enter the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Katseye is currently active with a 5-member lineup after Manon announced an indefinite suspension of operations in February. Sharing about continuing to be honored by Billboard, the members said that artists cannot succeed without real desire and dedicating all their efforts to their goals.
Meanwhile, Cortis first appeared in the "21 Under 21" list. The boy band affiliated with BigHit Music is rated by Billboard as one of the artists with the fastest rise in the charts.
Cortis's second EP "GreenGreen" debuted at number 3 on the Billboard 200. Previously, the debut EP "Color outside the lines" was number 15.
The title track "RedRed" reached number 38 on the Billboard Global 200, while helping the group appear for the first time on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart.
Cortis members said they once considered making it to the Billboard 200 as a dream. The Top 3 achievement of the second EP helped the group realize that their music is reaching more audiences around the world.
Girlset, a girl group of JYP America and Republic Records, was also chosen by Billboard. After changing brands and operating with a 4-member lineup from last summer, the group released singles such as "Little miss" featuring Missy Elliott and "Tweak".
In which, "Tweak" once rose to 22nd place on the Digital Song Sales chart. Girlset members also participated more deeply in the composing process in the past year, gradually showing their proactive role in the group's music orientation.
