It’s that point of 12 months once more! Whereas December is crammed with year-end countdowns, I like to have a look again at a few of Ok-pop’s largest companies throughout November. Earlier than studying (particularly should you’re new to the weblog), it’s useful to know that my grading focuses most closely on music releases and the way comebacks are managed and delivered to followers. Scandals and non-musical elements can actually influence an company’s grade, however the largest standards will all the time be the music itself. Following SM Leisure, HYBE Company, and YG Leisure‘s evaluation, it’s time to dive into JYP Leisure.
As ordinary, the ideas under are my very own and aren’t aware of any insider data. There will probably be loads of subjective critique.
The Good
JYP Leisure stays probably the most sprawling companies in Ok-pop and – in contrast to HYBE – they’ve executed all this underneath their very own umbrella fairly than home distinct subsidiaries. They do accomplice with a number of smaller companies (howdy, (ALL)HOURS!), however this makes up a really small a part of their general roster. Actually, it’s simply spectacular what number of acts are always releasing music underneath JYP.
Lots of JYP’s artists are on the newer facet, although they solely had one debut in 2025. KickFlip kicked off the 12 months with their first mini album and have gone on to launch a complete of three albums. I assumed their begin was a bit tough, however they’ve persistently bettered their fashion (and gross sales) with every launch. They haven’t had the type of explosive debut 12 months we’ve seen from different current rookies, however I like how their sound is completely different than different acts on JYP’s roster.
Final 12 months, I used to be far much less enthusiastic about NEXZ’s debut, however they’ve actually received me over this 12 months. It looks like JYP has lastly discovered a distinct segment for them and their music is getting higher and higher.
Shifting to the company’s powerhouses, it’s arduous to overstate the worldwide success of Stray Children and the Korean success of DAY6. The company has performed the lengthy recreation with each of those acts and it’s actually paid off. In their very own method, each really feel like leaders within the trade and are clearly large money-makers for JYP.
Onto the company’s woman teams, we had three generations lively this 12 months. The youngest (Korean) act is NMIXX and so they’ve seen main progress this 12 months. Previous to 2025, it appeared that their gross sales might need hit a peak. Nevertheless, their standing with the general public solely improved. This resulted of their first chart-topping mega-hit final month with Blue Valentine. The company hasn’t had a chart hit this dominant in years and the truth that it’s truly an important music is simply icing on the cake.
ITZY proceed to dominate as a world powerhouse. Although gross sales have slowed since their 2022-23 peak, they’re a well known entity now with a robust picture and elegance. Additionally they launched a handful of nice songs this 12 months. In the meantime, Twice celebrated their tenth anniversary with new materials in each Korea and Japan alongside many notable actions (together with the achievement of being the primary Ok-pop woman group to headline Lollapalooza). They’re nonetheless a number one pressure ten years into their profession.
After some sonic rising pains, rock band Xdinary Heroes continued to seek out their area of interest this 12 months. They’re seeing gradual however regular progress in gross sales and really feel like an more and more necessary piece in JYP’s general tapestry.
The company appeared to place much less deal with world territories this 12 months, however Japanese woman group NiziU launched materials in each Japan and Korea, together with a full album simply this week. They proceed to carry out nicely, particularly of their dwelling nation. In the meantime, American woman group VCHA’s rebrand into Girlset holds potential nevertheless it’s too early to inform the place that may lead.
Total, JYP Leisure noticed a strong 12 months of progress with one large hit and almost all of its artists performing nicely with their respective fanbases. On one other word, the company’s current stint on The Recreation Caterers showcased the household feeling between these artists. Of all of the Ok-pop corporations, it actually does appear to be the nicest one to work for.
The Unhealthy
In a method, you could possibly virtually minimize 2025 in half in the case of JYP releases. The primary few months had been fairly tough, with few improbable songs and a common lack of buzz across the company. Fortunately, JYP pulled all of it collectively about midway via the 12 months and ended 2025 very sturdy.
Whereas the company is starting to differentiate its acts from one another, there’s nonetheless quite a lot of crossover. With so many lively artists selling, it may be troublesome to inform one from one other. The company closely depends on outsourced songs. I’d like to see them put money into some visionary in-house composers that may give every of their artists a definite voice. JYP himself doesn’t write many songs anymore, however again when he did his creative contact was apparent. I miss this sense of persona. Typically, JYP’s output can really feel fairly company.
JYP went via a micro-boom these previous few years, debuting artist after artist. They’ve a strong line-up now and I’d hope to see them deepen these discographies fairly than debuting new acts. As NMIXX’s 2025 success proves, it may typically take years for an act to seek out their signature hit. I hope JYP is dedicated to doing this for newer acts like KickFlip and NEXZ, however I can’t assist however really feel that typically sure artists are given extra consideration than others.
JYP typically has an “if it ain’t broke, don’t repair it” strategy to its artists that may hinder wanted change. It’s arduous to argue with success, however for me the company’s largest artists are literally its least thrilling. In numerous methods, each Stray Children and DAY6 appear to be caught in a loop of releasing related materials time and again when – at this level of their careers – they could possibly be branching out and would most likely have the fan help to take action. On condition that each of those teams compose their very own music, this sameness is smart. Nevertheless, I’d love to listen to how every would sound if paired with a brand new, dynamic govt producer for a whole undertaking. Typically these switch-ups can convey out revelatory sides of the artists and I believe each acts have room for this experimentation.
What I’d prefer to see in 2026:
- Agency up the recognition and musical voice of the company’s newer acts
- Benefit from NMIXX’s success and proceed giving them sturdy materials
- Spend money on in-house producers with distinct sounds
- No extra new debuts for a short while (however perhaps one other JYP-hosted survival collection?)
Earlier years: 2024 // 2023 // 2022 // 2021 // 2020 // 2019 // 2018 // 2017 // 2016