Every year, there’s a buzz of excitement surrounding who will be the ‘Rookie of the Year’ at year-end award ceremonies. The 'MAMA awards' is one of the most awaited and celebrated events in the K-pop calendar, and fans root for their favourite idols to take home an award. MAMA’s ‘Best New Artist’ category—awarded separately for male and female acts—always generates a lot of anticipation. Many of the artists who won this award went on to become household names in K-pop.

Here’s a look at the winners of the MAMA ‘Best New Female Artist’ award winners over the past decade.

2024 : ILLIT

This year, MAMA’s ‘Best New Female Artist’ award went to ILLIT, the Belift Lab’s rookie girl group. ILLIT quickly gained attention with their hit debut track “Magnetic,” which even scored the coveted Perfect All-Kill, making them one of the few groups to achieve so.

2023 : tripleS

In 2023, tripleS made waves in the K-pop scene and won the ‘Best New Female Artist’ award in MAMA. Formed by Modhaus, the girl group debuted with the mini album “Assemble” and currently has a total of 24 members and multiple sub-units.

2022 : IVE

IVE’s debut generated massive anticipation, thanks to the inclusion of two popular former IZ*ONE members in the group. The Starship Entertainment girl group took the K-pop world by storm with their debut and brought home the ‘Best New Female Artist’ award in MAMA 2022.

2021 : aespa

One of the most influential fourth-generation K-pop groups, aespa was the winner of MAMA’s ‘Best New Female Artist’ award in 2021. The SM Entertainment girl group stood up with their groundbreaking futuristic concept that blends real and virtual worlds.

2020 : Weeekly

Weeekly claimed the ‘Best New Female Artist’ at MAMA 2020, earning recognition for their bright and youthful energy. Their debut track, "Tag Me,” and later hits like "After School" showcased their catchy, fun, and vibrant sound that quickly captured fans' hearts.

2019 : ITZY

The JYP girl group ITZY took home the ‘Best New Female Artist award’ at MAMA 2019, marking the rise of one of the most popular girl groups of the fourth generation. With their hit debut track "DALLA DALLA,” ITZY quickly captivates K-pop fans worldwide.

2018 : IZ*ONE

Formed through the reality survival show ‘Produce 48,’ IZ*ONE was one of the most popular project groups to debut. Their beautiful, catchy debut track, "La Vie en Rose,” showcases their elegant concept, and the girl group won the ‘Best New Female Artist’ award at MAMA 2018.

2017 : PRISTIN

2017 MAMA’s ‘Best New Female Artist,’ PRISTIN was a short-lived girl group under Pledis Entertainment. Despite their promising start, Pristin disbanded in 2019, but their debut era was marked by their potential as one of the most exciting new acts of the time.

2016 : I.O.I

I.O.I, the popular project girl group formed through the survival show ‘Produce 101,' won the ‘Best New Female Artist’ at MAMA 2016. After promoting as a unit for just over a year, I.O.I disbanded in 2017, and many of its members went on to have successful solo careers and group ventures.

2015 : TWICE

One of the most popular and successful K-pop girl groups, TWICE debuted under JYP Entertainment in 2015 and snag MAMA’s ‘Best New Female Artist' award the same year. Their debut track, "Like Ooh-Ahh," was a hit, and TWICE quickly rose to stardom with their catchy songs and vibrant concepts.

2014 : —

In 2014, MAMA co-ed the ‘Best New Artist’ category, meaning all rookie artists were competing together. WINNER, a boy group under YG Entertainment, won the ‘Best New Artist’ award that year, making it the only year in the past decade where no female artist took home the honor.

Did your favourite idol win the MAMA 'Best New Artist' award? Comment below.