Southeast Asian Girl Groups Changing the Face of Global Pop
Sound Check is EnVi’s curated artist catalog highlighting must-know talent across the Asian diaspora. From breakout stars to hidden gems, this series is your gateway to discovering artists who will redefine your playlists.
Girl groups have been an integral part of global music, whether it’s The Supremes bolstering the rise of Motown to the world domination of K-pop thanks to a myriad of all-female acts. Yet to have a bright spotlight on them are the many talents of young Southeast Asian women, who recently took over discourse on social media. EnVi is closing out Women’s History Month with a bang by celebrating 13 of them, from longtime fixtures in the Indonesian and Malaysian music scene to new additions in Thai and Filipino popscapes.
no na
Since their 2025 debut, 88rising’s girl group no na has never shied away from their cultural heritage. Their first introduction “shoot” showed the foursome frolicking through the rice fields and waterfalls of Bali, Indonesia. Their most recent internet-breaking single “work” incorporated the island’s traditional instrument ceng-ceng kopyak, as seen in the opening shots of its accompanying music video played by member Christy. The teaser for their upcoming song “rollerblade” has melodic raps in Bahasa, Indonesia. While their music has Janet Jackson’s ’80s pop-R&B written all over it, there’s an unmistakable Indonesian tint that some listeners may not catch.
It’s a culmination of their island girl concept, which unites the Jakarta, Bali, and Lombok roots of its four members. Beyond instrumentation and music video sets, their identity also appears as the quartet’s aesthetics as they sit down for interviews draped in traditional Indonesian woven textiles and Batik-patterned clothing.
The group’s name itself — a riff on the word “nona,” the Indonesian word for “miss” or “young lady” — synthesizes who they are. “Not a lot of people are familiar with everything about Indonesia,” shared the youngest member (affectionately called “adek,” or little sibling) Shaz in an interview with Billboard. “We want to share Indonesia’s culture and diversity — sonically, aesthetically, visually,” added Esther in a different sit-down with Cosmopolitan Indonesia. After stints in New York and Los Angeles, no na is joining the 88rising troupe to Tokyo, Japan for another Head in the Clouds stage.
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BINI
There’s one thing in BINI’s agenda, and it’s P-pop world domination. Their Trojan horse is the infectious melodies they’ve captivated listeners worldwide. Whether it’s the R&B-tinged dance-pop of their debut era or the bubblegum confections of recent releases, the eight-member girl group have been charting Filipino music on the world map.
“We stay true to our Filipino identity by carrying our culture and values with us wherever we go. At the same time, we aim to connect with a global audience by showing that Filipinos are talented, hardworking, and capable on any stage,” leader Jhoanna told Numéro Netherlands. “Our biggest goal is to keep growing while staying true to who we are,” added Aiah.
Their music reflects this: unapologetically Filipino through its Tagalog lyrics, cultural homages, and schoolyard love stories that may be relatable to the nation’s young ladies — or, in their native language, binibini, the group’s namesake. These Billboard Philippines’ Women of the Year will bring their energy to the Coachella desert, making their debut on one of the world’s biggest music festival stages.
4EVE
With a name that’s a shorthand for “forever,” there’s a lot riding on 4EVE to have long-lasting success. That wouldn’t be a big concern for the seven-member girl group if their six-year run thus far is any indication. Just take a look at their resume, embellished by everything from romcom and musical credits to major awards within the Thai music industry.
But that isn’t enough. They’re taking things global — but not simply their infectious hooks, dynamic performances, or velvety vocals. With an aesthetic that’s unmistakably Thai, the septet brings with them the nation’s vibrant culture to the global stage, with appearances at Head in the Clouds in Los Angeles or by partnering with 88rising for their latest release “Girls Like Me.” The latter’s music video is the girls’ take on the bustling Thai street culture, a convergence of its traditional and contemporary facets. Fresh off a mini joint tour across Asia with boy group ATLAS, the girls are setting off to Hokkaido’s FLY HIGH fes. 2026 in celebration of Chitose Airport’s centennial.
DOLLA
Since debuting in 2020, Malaysia’s DOLLA has been through a lot. One of its members had to leave the group in 2024. The following year, they had to retract the music video for their song “QUESTION” in their home country after drawing criticism from local authorities for their “suggestive,” “immoral,” “tight-sticky dresses.” Still, none of these are dampers on their nationwide success or global attention. As leader Sabronzo told SAYS in a 2023 interview, “I hope that women are no longer afraid of people or negative consequences.”
This girl power philosophy is the driving force behind their music, from their premiere single “Dolla Make You Wanna” to their latest, the aforementioned “QUESTION.” Though their sound is informed by the typical R&B, hip-hop, and EDM influences on girl-group pop, the trio’s Malaysian identity always manages to shine through. Whether it’s the Malay lyrics interspersed with English, the festive songs they put out for Ramadan, or collaborators that represent the different facets of Malaysian culture. They have also represented their country in different international scenes: Filipino label Star Music’s “HEAL,” gracing Times Square billboards as part of Spotify Malaysia and Singapore’s EQUAL campaign, and on the Chinese program Show It All.
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JKT48, BNK48, CGM48, MNL48, and KLP48
#MNL48 Abby visited the AKB48 Theater in Japan with her Overseas Sister Group Ace. She is set to perform with them at the 70th Kohaku Uta Gassen in Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan on NHK World Channel!https://t.co/McYQllnhZL#MNL48inNHKKouhaku pic.twitter.com/4lEU45XQXS
— MNL48 (@mnl48official) December 29, 2019
One of the most unique things about the 48 Group isn’t simply the sheer size of its armada, though admittedly, upwards of twenty girls performing synchronized choreography on stage is more than impressive. What makes this girl group enterprise such a worldwide phenomenon is its ecosystem. What started as a nationwide sensation with AKB48 in Tokyo spread throughout different parts of Japan, before slowly reaching all around Southeast Asia with its sister groups: JKT48 in Indonesia, BNK48 and CGM48 in Thailand, MNL48 in Philippines, and KLP48 in Malaysia, all with names that abbreviate their home base cities.
Each group brings their own localized flair to the well-known 48 Group aesthetic of Japanese schoolgirls. Beyond translating Japanese-language smash-hits into their mother tongues, some longer running groups have produced original songs celebrating their nation’s musical identity. JKT48’s “Rapsodi” abandons any semblance of J-pop for a distinct 2000s Indonesian ballad. BNK48 has “Believers,” a song penned by Okada Nana and choreographed by Murayama Yuiri, two former AKB48 members, demonstrating a unique blend of Japanese and Thai sensibilities. CGM48’s “2565” showcases another side of T-pop while promoting the unique culture of Chiang Mai. There’s also “Summertime” for MNL48, which has a laidback R&B-pop sound veering closer to P-pop.
From Jakarta, Bangkok and Chiang Mai, Manila, to Kuala Lumpur, these groups bring a distinct flavor of Southeast Asian music with a tinge of Japanese flavor. Aside from being fixtures in their local music scenes, they’re spotlighting their culture within the greater Japanese idol world.
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BNK48 Socials: IG | TK | X | YT
CGM48 Socials: IG | TK | X | YT
MNL48 Socials: IG | TK | X | YT
KLP48 Socials: IG | TK | X | YT
Quadlips
JKT48, BNK48, MNL48, and KLP48 are definitely distinct in their own singular ways. But what happens when you take one member from each group and create a unique sub-unit? The answer is Quadlips, 48 Group’s first global act. Based in Bangkok Thailand, the quartet diverges from the enterprise’s Japanese roots and fully leans into its Southeast Asian character.
Gone are the frilly schoolgirl-inspired costumes (appropriately called seifuku, the Japanese word for uniform) borrowed from AKB48. They are instead replaced by oversized sweatpants, cropped jersey, and baby tee combos or gothic coquette styles. This aesthetic errs on the side of Y2K-fueled Tumblr days to match their new sonic identity of R&B- and hip-hop-inflected beats. Quadlips recently celebrated their humble third anniversary, and with only eight songs under their belt, there’s nowhere to go but onwards and upwards with their discography.
FELIZZ
FELIZZ may be a very recent addition to the T-pop library, but the sextet’s three-single run so far has been nothing short of resounding. Their debut “SEE THROUGH” played it safe with a nondescript, glossy, midtempo track that easily fits into the pile of demos in NewJeans’s or Tate McRae’s bin. But it’s a worthy prelude that establishes their flirty, feminine aura that would take on different colors.
Their follow up sophomore single, “Abracadabra จงรักจงหลง,” explores a moodier, edgier side to the girls. But it isn’t until their latest release “เริ่ด (Slay)” that their distinctive identity become known. Dance-pop beats are accentuated by the dint of traditional Thai plucked instruments, bridging deeply rooted heritage to the contemporary with undeniable artistic flair.
G22
G22 debuted in the Philippines’s music scene with a bang — literally. Taking their name from the small but powerful Glock 22 handgun, the Filipino girl group continues to bring high-octane energy into their music since their 2022 debut. Their distinct trap-pop sound is what sets them apart from peers like BINI and MNL48, infusing something fresh into the diverse P-popscape.
Fans (and the girls themselves) had to wait three years for their premier album, setting up quite the precedence. But The Dissection of Eve arrives to meet all that and more. Of course, the music plays a big part in setting that success, boasting a sound that stretches from Y2K-influenced R&B and rap-inflected hip-hop to an orchestral pop ballad. Truly, though, it’s the underlying female empowerment theme threaded through each track that measures this album’s worth, best demonstrated by “Pa-Pa-Pa-Palaban” and “Lakumpake!.” It’s an ode to “the female alpha,” the well-rounded woman who isn’t afraid to show every facet that shapes herself, whether it’s victories or downfalls.
PiXXiE
While Thailand has never been officially inaugurated as Southeast Asia’s entertainment capital, its lineup of pop culture offerings shows no end. Whether it’s BL series, horror films, or musical acts, the country’s vibrant showing continues to captivate hearts. In PiXXiE’s case, it’s through their enchanting melodies that has evolved through the five years since their debut.
“เด็ด” (DED) introduced the trio with a bouncy pop track that, while acting as a generic landing pad for any first outing, serves as a foundation by which they continue to build their discography on. Subsequent releases continue to compound interest on their allure: “เกินต้าน (Too Cute)” doubles down on their flirtatious frills with a laidback downtempo track, “HOT Dangerous” takes the dance-pop energy even further, “ติดฝน” (rain) flexes their vocal stylings over a soulful and bluesy R&B instrumentation. Their latest release, “HUH?,” adds a dimension of edgy bravado to their ever-evolving aesthetic. One thing remains a constant, though, and it’s the charms manifested by the group’s name. Derived from the spirited mythical woodland creature, it’s laced with a feminine power, symbolized by the XX that stands for the female chromosome.
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Whenever all of these Southeast Asian girl groups are on stage, the mics are on. “From Jakarta to LA” (as no na said), from Chiang Mai and Kuala Lumpur to Japan, from Bangkok and Manila to the world — they aren’t waiting around for the limelight to come to them. They chase after it with immense talent, hard work, and a reverence to their cultural roots, all while showing the many facets of womanhood.
Looking to get to know more about these Southeast Asian girl groups? Discover 7 Things to Know about JKT48 and read our exclusive interview with Thailand’s 4EVE!
