Some K-pop groups recently announced plans to carry out individual activities separately but still get together for group schedules
Despite belonging to different companies, the members of BTOB, EXO and BLACKPINK expressed a strong commitment to maintaining their teams and continuing group promotions.
First of all, BTOB left CUBE Entertainment after 11 years in November 2023. According to insiders, BTOB initially wanted to move to a new agency together as a whole group but the result was contrary to their expectations. The members were scattered in different companies.
Lee Chang-sub went to Fantagio, Yook Sung-jae joined hands with iWill Media, and the four remaining members, Seo Eun-kwang, Lee Min-hyuk, Lim Hyun-sik and Peniel, signed with a newly established company. Although BTOB members are now separated into three agencies, they share the same determination to prioritize their group. All six members promised, “We will be together forever. All of us are strongly willing to put group activities first”.
After his contract with SM ended in October last year, EXO’s D.O became independent by setting up an agency called “Company Soosoo”. In addition, Baekhyun also established his own label called “I&B100” to take care of his individual activities by himself. Chen and Xiumin also signed with Baekhyun’s label. Through the new label, CBX trio have repeatedly expressed concerns about their future with a desire to approach fans more closely and sincerely in a more creative way.
In this regard, SM stated, “For D.O, whose exclusive contract has ended, we are discussing his participation in EXO’s future activities with mutual agreement. Chen, Baekhyun and Xiumin negotiated with us to allow them to carry out individual activities separately”. D.O expressed his intention to be with EXO even from a different company, while Chen Baekhyun and Xiumin still have exclusive contracts with SM regarding EXO promotions but their personal activities will be managed by the new label. According to SM, EXO is scheduled to hold a fanmeeting in April.
The contract renewal of BLACKPINK was one of the hottest issues in the second half of 2023. In December, the members extended their contracts with YG to continue group activities, such as releasing albums and doing world tours.
However, the four members did not sign any additional contract for individual activities. Jennie will manage her personal schedules through OA, a one-man label founded by her mother. Jisoo hired experienced staff for the new company “Blisoo” with the help of her brother, who owns a health functional food brand. As such, attention is focused on Lisa and Rosé’s future moves.
Source: Naver
