After having a look at Ok-pop’s greatest businesses, I’d like to show my consideration to the smaller (however nonetheless essential) gamers within the Ok-pop sport, three at a time.
Disclaimer: As with my write-ups on Ok-Pop’s greatest businesses, that is written from an outsider’s perspective. I’m not aware of any business-related monetary info past what some other fan would know. The aim of those articles is to look at how nicely these businesses are serving their artists and the overall Ok-pop fan-base.
UNCORE ENTERTAINMENT
I don’t typically characteristic labels with just one artist underneath their roster, however I wished to the touch on UNCORE as a result of I’ve been impressed with their promotion and inventive course for Shut Your Eyes this yr. Being a gaggle spawned from a survival sequence, you’d count on the music and ideas to be fairly generic. As a substitute, UNCORE has persistently leaned into creativity, whether or not that’s within the type of visuals, music and even bodily album design.
Throwing all their weight behind a single idol group helps hold issues targeted, and makes UNCORE really feel like a cool boutique company. I’m a bit anxious how they see Shut Your Eyes’ music going ahead, as their latest comeback felt barely extra generic than I’d like, however general they’ve executed a terrific job this yr.
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WAKEONE ENTERTAINMENT
This can be a tough one. Many followers are indignant at WakeOne for ZEROBASEONE’s inevitable disbandment, nevertheless it’s not like we didn’t know this was coming since their debut so it’s not as if the company lied to us. Nonetheless, a latest two-month extension of their contract appears to verify a “grand finale” earlier than the group fractures. It’ll be fascinating to see if some members stick with WakeOne for a smaller model of the group, just like what has occurred with Kep1er.
In my opinion, I discovered ZEROBASEONE’s materials to be uneven this yr. They began very robust however WakeOne dropped the ball with their first full album, giving them so-so materials when they need to have been knocking it out of the park. Gross sales stay remarkably excessive.
Although Kep1er is a diminished pressure since their reconfiguration, they launched music in each Korea and Japan this yr and appear to be making an attempt out new sounds. I’m glad they’re nonetheless selling, even when they don’t really feel like a precedence for the company. As a substitute, newer woman group izna have been given extra of a push. I additionally discover their materials uneven, however WakeOne was good to pair with stylish Black Label producers to provide the group a definable sound. Their music is steadily bettering, although gross sales are fairly stagnant. In the meantime, soloist Jo Yuri is extra notable as an actress nowadays. She launched one mini album this yr to restricted fanfare.
WakeOne’s 2026 prospects will largely relaxation on the success of latest boy group ALPHA DRIVE ONE. They haven’t gotten off to one of the best begin, with a boring pre-release that hasn’t precisely sparked pleasure, however we’ll see what sound and magnificence the company will give them subsequent month after they make their precise debut.
C+
WOOLLIM ENTERTAINMENT
Oh, Woollim. I used to commit a complete submit to my once-favorite company, however now I can barely muster a couple of sentences. The issue is, Woollim doesn’t really feel like an company anymore. New music from any of their artists is so rare that it hardly even registers. The one artist who really promoted in 2025 was Kwon Eunbi with a digital single within the spring. Golden Little one’s Joochan launched a solo observe however by no means took it to music reveals. Woollim pushed members of DRIPPIN onto Boys II Planet to little avail. It doesn’t seem to be a gaggle comeback is anyplace on the horizon. I hate to say it, however I’m afraid Woollim would possibly really be defunct. They didn’t even launch sufficient materials for me to provide them a grade.
Incomplete