There is an emerging trend of K-pop groups doing things both “on their own” and “as a team”.
More recently, BtoB, EXO, and BLACKPINK announced that they’ll be focusing on their individual endeavors while still coming together as a team for group activities. Fans are admiring their commitment to maintaining the group and continuing their journey, even with different affiliations.
BtoB
Last November, after being with Cube Entertainment for a remarkable 11 years, BtoB decided to part ways. BtoB had renewed their contract with Cube Entertainment back in 2018, but unfortunately, the second contract renewal didn’t work out.
At first, a lot of industry insiders reported that all the members of BtoB wanted to stick together as a group because they had a strong desire to be united.
This got everyone’s hopes up that they would continue their journey together. unexpectedly, things turned out differently, and BtoB members ended up going their separate ways.
Lee Chang Sub made things official by signing an exclusive contract with Fantagio, while Yook Sung Jae jumped on board with iWill Media. As for the other four members, Seo Eunkwang, Lee Minhyuk, Lim Hyunsik, and Peniel, they’ve also found a new home, but the name of their new agency hasn’t been revealed yet.
Despite BtoB splitting into three different agencies, they’re still on the same page when it comes to prioritizing their group activities. All six members made a promise to be together forever and make group activities their top priority.
EXO
EXO went through some changes when Do Kyung-soo’s (D.O.) exclusive contract with SM Entertainment ended in October last year. After that, he went ahead and set up his one-person agency, co-founded by his manager of many years, Company Soosoo, trying to make a name for himself as a solo artist.
In addition, Baekhyun has gone ahead and set up his own independent label called I&B 100. Chen and Xiumin will also be pursuing their individual activities under Baekhyun’s label.
While EXO members will be managing individual activities under their new labels, they’re still under an exclusive contract with SM for their group activities. Despite D.O. being in a different agency, he still wants to work with the group. EXO will continue as a complete group under SM Entertainment and will be having a fan meeting in April.
BLACKPINK
The contract renewal between BLACKPINK and YG Entertainment was the talk of the town in the second half of 2023. BLACKPINK ended up signing a new contract with YG specifically for their activities as a group. With YG’s support, they’ll be releasing albums and going on a world tour.
Separate contracts for individual activities of the members were not signed with YG. Jennie is pursuing her personal activities through her own label called ODD ATELIER that she founded with her mom.
Jisoo, on the other hand, is teaming up with her older brother for a new business venture called Blissoo under the brand Biomom, which focuses on health functional food for infants and children.
Since Jennie and Jisoo have made it known that they’ll be collaborating with their families and pursuing their own projects, BLINKs are definitely curious about what Lisa and Rosé have in store.
Members have planned exciting activities for BLACKPINK’s next chapter.