Earlier than I take a quick take a look at lots of Ok-pop’s smaller businesses, there are a couple of that I’ve extra to say about. Take into account these “bonus” write-ups — shorter than the “large 4” however longer than a paragraph or two may cowl. 

As standard, the ideas under are my very own and aren’t aware about any insider info. The aim of those articles is to find out how properly Ok-pop businesses are serving their artists and followers. There will probably be loads of subjective critique.

The Good

Although they didn’t have a very noteworthy 12 months, Starship Leisure continued to chug together with their already-successful teams main the helm. Vivid spots have been IVE and CRAVITY.

IVE didn’t launch as a lot materials as they did in 2023, however their single HEYA loved long-running success and so they branched out additional into the Japanese market. In the meantime CRAVITY launched a mini album earlier than collaborating in (and profitable) the most recent sequence of Street To Kingdom. I didn’t watch the sequence so I can’t touch upon how they got here throughout, however profitable a contest present is rarely a nasty factor! Neatly, Starship appears poised to capitalize on this success with the approaching launch of a brand new single.

The Unhealthy

Whereas it was stable sufficient, Starship’s 2024 was additionally unusually unambitious. Releases have been few and much between and by no means represented the very best music that’s come from the company. IVE’s work feels a bit directionless in the meanwhile and their English-language push into international markets landed with a fizzle. They’re nonetheless highly regarded, however the spark of their debut period dimmed this 12 months.

Equally, CRAVITY appear to have hit a pure peak. With Monsta X on hiatus on account of army enlistments, CRAVITY are Starship’s flagship boy group of the second. They’re doing wonderful, however are actually not driving traits or dialog in the best way that you simply’d hope. We’ll should see if Kingdom can provide them a lift.

Sadly, WJSN appear all however forgotten at this level. In addition they gained an MNET sequence in 2022 however Starship didn’t capitalize on this and the group hasn’t launched materials since then. A quiet disbandment feels increasingly more doubtless. I hope I’m unsuitable.

So far as soloists go, the company misplaced Jeong Sewoon and most different artists didn’t launch any new materials.

There are rumors of a brand new group debut subsequent 12 months, and Starship may actually use the enhance. Proper now, their roster is as small because it’s been in years and it doesn’t really feel like there’s all that a lot room to develop given their present scenario. This company has often competed with the “large 4,” and to maintain that chance alive they should discover one other monster hit (probably from IVE) or a buzzworthy debut that will get the trade speaking.

What I’d wish to see in 2025:

• A return to kind for IVE
• A brand new boy group whose music is within the vein of previous Starship acts like Boyfriend or Sistar

Earlier years: 2023 // 2022 // 2021 // 2020 // 2019 // 2018 // 2017