A year ago today, rookie girl group SAY MY NAME stepped into the spotlight with WaveWay and their self-titled debut EP. What began as iNKODE’s first girl group quickly grew into one of the most distinctive rookie stories of the year, bound together by a feline-themed world that has already captured a loyal fanbase.

Much of the group’s identity traces back to Kim Jaejoong, who was announced as the producer behind SAY MY NAME’s debut. For a generation of fans, Jaejoong isn’t just a K-pop veteran – he’s an icon, a bridge between eras who helped define the global rise of second-gen idols. His hand in shaping iNKODE’s first girl group gave SMN an immediate spotlight and a layer of credibility, but it also came with expectations. Rather than leaning on his legacy as a safety net, the group used it as fuel: their polished debut and carefully built universe showed they weren’t just a nostalgia project, but a new chapter. For fans who watched Jaejoong’s own career bend across borders, SMN’s cross-cultural pull feels like a continuation of that story – only this time told through eight new voices.

From their October 2024 debut showcase Cat Night, the group laid out a universe all their own. Each member was introduced through a cat character with unique colours, collars, and symbols – details that might have been kitsch in lesser hands, but here became one of the more inventive rookie concepts of the year.



The music itself has shown the same attention to detail. Their debut EP cracked the top 20, and their follow-up My Name Is… impressively doubled sales while refining their sound with the shimmering city-pop title track ShaLala. That single proved SMN weren’t afraid of taking risks: nestled between sunny imagery and heart-fluttering choruses, the pre-chorus suddenly thanks Jesus before tumbling back into wide-eyed optimism. It was unusual, even disarming, but it gave the track the kind of lyric most groups would smooth over. Instead, SMN left it in, and fans took it as a sign of the group’s unpredictability.

July marked a turning point when iNKODE announced an expansion from seven to eight members. Line-up changes so early are unusual, but Shuie’s arrival quickly won fans over with her stage command, making her iLy debut in August feel like a milestone for the group. That single – interpolating Frankie Valli’s Can’t Take My Eyes Off You – soared to No. 3, underlining their growing profile and knack for bold creative choices.

Each member has brought their own weight to the past year. Hitomi, steady as leader, finally found a platform that values her years of experience as part of IZ*ONE. Mei, who shone during Dream Academy, feels like she’s found her true home, her artistry sharper than ever. Seungjoo, the youngest, has carried herself with fearless confidence. Dohee lets her playful, teasing side slip out as fans grow closer. Kanny and Soha strike the balance between presence and subtlety, while Junhwi provides an unshakeable anchor. And then there’s Shuie, already proving her worth as part of the group’s evolution.

Their releases have been more than music. Their physical releases take shape as objects of care. Mini comic books, embroidered wappens, character bands, furry cat-shaped photocard holders, even a keyring version of iLy – each design blurs the line between concept and reality, making SAY MY NAME’s albums some of the most collectible of the year.

In just twelve months, they’ve collected trophies like Discovery of the Year at the Seoul Music Awards, earned rookie nominations, and carved out a reputation that often takes groups years to build. But maybe their biggest achievement is the way they’ve grown into a genuine cult favourite. Fans love the nostalgia of their J-pop–tinged sound, the unpredictability of their lyrics, and the meticulousness of their universe – a group born from members’ second chances, now claiming their first year as their own.

Congratulations to Hitomi, Shuie, Mei, Kanny, Soha, Dohee, Junhwi, and Seungjoo on their 1st anniversary. One year in, they’re not just rookies anymore – they’re one of the most exciting new voices in K-pop.