After looking at Okay-pop’s greatest companies, I’d like to show my consideration to the smaller (however nonetheless essential) gamers within the Okay-pop sport, 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 another fan would know. The aim of those articles is to look at how nicely these companies are serving their artists and the overall Okay-pop fan-base.
BRAND NEW MUSIC
For idol group followers, Model New Music is basically about AB6IX and YOUNITE in the meanwhile. Commercially, every appears to be transferring in numerous 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 strong. This was 12 months for them on the subject of output nevertheless it doesn’t really feel just like the company is admittedly making an attempt to push them past their core fan base.
YOUNITE’s gross sales have steadily grown since their debut they usually hit a brand new peak with their spring album One other. I occurred to love that album loads, too. It nonetheless doesn’t really feel like they’re competing within the huge leagues they usually misplaced a member this 12 months, however they absolutely gained some notoriety from taking part in Highway To Kingdom.
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CUBE ENTERTAINMENT
Dice was one of many huge gamers in Okay-pop and in some regards they nonetheless are. (G)I-DLE stay large in Korea and overseas, scoring one among their greatest hits this 12 months. Nevertheless, 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 depend upon that call. They’ve already misplaced BTOB and far of Pentagon. I’m unsure they will afford dropping even a part of (G)I-DLE – particularly its driving inventive pressure.
A part of the explanation why these pillars are so essential to the company is that Dice hasn’t performed an amazing 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 assume a lot of the music that got here from the company this 12 months was that nice. They lack an id and inventive imaginative and prescient.
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DSP MEDIA
As I’m working by my “Again to Okay-pop’s First Technology” collection, it’s fascinating to mirror on simply how a lot of a pressure DSP Media was within the trade. They’ve lengthy since relinquished that energy, which is a disgrace. Now, they’re down to some mid-tier teams that appear to be focusing extra on area of interest audiences than conquering Okay-pop as an entire.
Going area of interest isn’t a nasty thought and might be fairly worthwhile. I’m comfortable that each KARD and Younger Posse have particular musical identities. Their music isn’t all the time for me, nevertheless it serves a objective 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. Nevertheless, DSP will get an enormous stain on their report for letting boy group Mirae slip by their fingers. They disbanded this 12 months after barely being promoted within the first place. What a waste of potential.
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