TWS lands on Rolling Stone’s ‘Future 25,’ set for Seoul fan meeting this week

K-pop boy group TWS, named in Rolling Stone’s “Future 25” list. Courtesy of Pledis Entertainment.

K-pop group TWS has made it to Rolling Stone magazine’s “Future 25” list, earning recognition as one of the acts the publication sees as likely to help shape the future of music.

Rolling Stone announced this year’s “Future 25” list on its website Thursday. The annual project selects 25 artists or industry figures expected to influence the direction of music, and this year’s lineup included TWS.

“The most exciting and energetic young K-pop groups today,” the magazine wrote in introducing the group. “They’ve won praise for their music, their stage presence, and their model-like visuals.”

Rolling Stone said the six-member group has embraced a feel-good pop sound built on retro influences, lush harmonies and clever wordplay. It also described “Overdrive,” the title track of TWS’ fourth mini album “playhard,” as a viral hit.

In an interview with Rolling Stone, TWS said the boyhood pop genre — the term which the group uses to define its music — is ever widening and broadening.

“It could be exciting, it could bring peace and comfort, or it could deliver power and energy. But whatever we do, we want to exude that positivity for listeners,” the group said, describing its musical ambition.

Alongside TWS, this year’s “Future 25” list also included Lola Young, winner of the Grammy Award for Best Pop Solo Performance at the 68th Grammy Awards, and Fuerza Regida, a four-time Billboard Music Award-winning Latin band.

Riding a wave of global momentum, TWS will meet fans at “2026 TWS 2ND FANMEETING <42:CLUB> IN SEOUL,” which will run for three days from Mar. 27 at Ticketlink Live Arena in Seoul’s Olympic Park.

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.