After looking at Ok-pop’s greatest companies, 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 companies, 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 companies are serving their artists and the final Ok-pop fan-base.

BRAND NEW MUSIC

For idol group followers, Model New Music is essentially about AB6IX and YOUNITE in the meanwhile. Commercially, every appears to be shifting in several 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 a superb 12 months for them in the case of output but it surely doesn’t really feel just like the company is de facto 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 rather a lot, 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 certainly gained some notoriety from collaborating in Street To Kingdom.

C

CUBE ENTERTAINMENT

Dice was one of many huge gamers in Ok-pop and in some regards they nonetheless are. (G)I-DLE stay huge in Korea and overseas, scoring one in every of 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 seemingly rely on that call. They’ve already misplaced BTOB and far of Pentagon. I’m undecided they’ll afford shedding even a part of (G)I-DLE – particularly its driving inventive power.

A part of the explanation why these pillars are so essential to the company is that Dice hasn’t performed an important 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 suppose a lot of the music that got here from the company this 12 months was that nice. They lack an identification and inventive imaginative and prescient.

C-

DSP MEDIA

As I’m working by means of my “Again to Ok-pop’s First Era” collection, it’s fascinating to replicate on simply how a lot of a power DSP Media was within the business. They’ve lengthy since relinquished that energy, which is a disgrace. Now, they’re down to a few mid-tier teams that appear to be focusing extra on area of interest audiences than conquering Ok-pop as an entire.

Going area of interest isn’t a foul concept and will be fairly worthwhile. I’m blissful that each KARD and Younger Posse have particular musical identities. Their music isn’t all the time for me, but it surely serves a function 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 a giant stain on their file for letting boy group Mirae slip by means of their fingers. They disbanded this 12 months after barely being promoted within the first place. What a waste of potential.

C-