After looking at Okay-pop’s greatest companies, I’d like to show my consideration to the smaller (however nonetheless necessary) gamers within the Okay-pop recreation, three at a time.
Disclaimer: As with my write-ups on Okay-Pop’s greatest companies, that is written from an outsider’s perspective. I’m not aware about any business-related monetary data past what every other fan would know. The aim of those articles is to look at how effectively these companies are serving their artists and the final Okay-pop fan-base.
BRAND NEW MUSIC
For idol group followers, Model New Music is basically about AB6IX and YOUNITE for the time being. Commercially, every appears to be shifting in several instructions. AB6IX has struggled to match their out-of-the-gate success ever since 12 months two of their profession, however their music has been fairly stable. This was a superb 12 months for them in terms of output however it doesn’t really feel just like the company is actually attempting to push them past their core fan base.
YOUNITE’s gross sales have steadily grown since their debut and so they hit a brand new peak with their spring album One other. I occurred to love that album quite a bit, too. It nonetheless doesn’t really feel like they’re competing within the huge leagues and so they misplaced a member this 12 months, however they absolutely gained some notoriety from collaborating in Street To Kingdom.
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CUBE ENTERTAINMENT
Dice was once one of many huge gamers in Okay-pop and in some regards they nonetheless are. (G)I-DLE stay huge in Korea and overseas, scoring one in every of their greatest hits this 12 months. Nonetheless, it stays to be seen whether or not Soyeon re-signs with the corporate within the coming weeks. A lot of their fortunes going ahead will doubtless rely upon that call. They’ve already misplaced BTOB and far of Pentagon. I’m undecided they will afford shedding even a part of (G)I-DLE – particularly its driving inventive pressure.
A part of the explanation why these pillars are so necessary to the company is that Dice hasn’t accomplished a fantastic job cultivating new expertise. LIGHTSUM barely promote and new boy group These days appears to be having hassle getting off the bottom. For a bunch of their debut 12 months, Dice ought to actually be placing extra muscle behind them. And personally, I didn’t suppose a lot of the music that got here from the company this 12 months was that nice. They lack an id and artistic imaginative and prescient.
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DSP MEDIA
As I’m working by means of my “Again to Okay-pop’s First Era” sequence, it’s fascinating to mirror on simply how a lot of a pressure DSP Media was once within the trade. They’ve lengthy since relinquished that energy, which is a disgrace. Now, they’re down to a few mid-tier teams that appear to be focusing extra on area of interest audiences than conquering Okay-pop as a complete.
Going area of interest isn’t a foul thought and could be fairly worthwhile. I’m blissful that each KARD and Younger Posse have particular musical identities. Their music isn’t all the time for me, however it serves a function and isn’t simply assembly-line pop fluff. KARD’s long-awaited comeback got here and went this 12 months. They’re a profitable touring act in worldwide markets, however their present tour was not too long ago postponed. Younger Posse got a much bigger push this 12 months, even performing on the MAMA Awards. Time will inform if this promotion pays off, however I really feel like I’ve seen extra of them these previous few months and their gross sales have elevated. Nonetheless, DSP will get a giant stain on their document for letting boy group Mirae slip by means of their fingers. They disbanded this 12 months after barely being promoted within the first place. What a waste of potential.
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