More idol group members have recently established their own labels or agencies to manage individual activities by themselves
In the past, idol groups had only two choices following a contract expiry, whether they renew the contract with the same agency to continue the group activities or the members move to different companies and the group would disband. However, idol groups nowadays have found a solution. The strategy of working “separately but together” helps idols to either maintain their group or continue doing solo activities even when the members are in different agencies.
BLACKPINK delivered the news of their contract renewal for group activities under YG Entertainment in December after a long discussion. However, the members did not sign additional contracts with YG for their individual activities as they decided to take on new challenges by themselves. Jennie then announced the establishment of her own label ODD ATELIER founded by her mother. Following Jennie, Jisoo also joined hands with her brother to start a new company called “Blissoo”.
EXO’s Baekhyun also set up his independent label “I&B100” and announced a new start with Chen and Xiumin. The three’s solo activities at Baekhyun’s label have been mutually agreed upon through consultations with SM Entertainment as they will continue carrying out EXO schedules under SM’s management.
Prior to EXO, Donghae and Eunhyuk of Super Junior also left SM Entertainment, the company where they had worked for 18 years since debut, to establish ODE Entertainment as co-CEOs last year. They two are still doing group activities with Super Junior members through SM, but their individual schedules and D&E unit promotion are conducted by ODE.
Many artists have decided to set up their personal labels because of the distribution of profits and freedom to do activities. Since these idols have gained huge and solid fandoms around the world, they have the desire to maintain stable group activities while pursuing solo endeavors.
Appearing on KBS 2TV’s “The Seasons: Lee Hyo-ri’s Red Carpet”, Jennie explained the reason she established a one-man agency, saying “I will continue doing group activities under the company I’ve been with for seven years, but I carefully decided to set up my own company because I wanted to do individual activities freely and comfortably”.
Baekhyun, Xiumin and Chen are also expected to utilize their musicality and color in the independent label and challenge their dream of producing music.
With the development of K-pop, new methods for idol activities have gradually emerged and it is worth waiting to see how far can these idols go after standing on their own.
Source: Daum
