Competition in the Music Industry Heats Up as Major K-Pop Companies Debut New Rookie Groups
Key Highlights :
The music industry is about to get a shakeup this year as major K-pop companies debut new rookie groups. KOZ Entertainment, a sub-label of K-pop powerhouse HYBE representing megastar band BTS, recently debuted its first boy group BOYNEXTDOOR on May 30. The six-member group consists of Sungho, Riwoo, Jaehyun, Taesan, Leehan and Woonhak and their debut album, "WHO!" features three tracks: "But I Like You," "One and Only" and "Serenade". The group has already gained traction, with their "One and Only" music video surpassing 20 million views on YouTube as of Tuesday.
HYBE is expected to launch one or two more rookie acts in 2023, although details have yet to be revealed. Reports suggest that its sub-label Pledis Entertainment is likely to debut a new boy group this year. Pledis is home to boy group SEVENTEEN and girl group fromis_9, among others. YG Entertainment, which has achieved great success with BLACKPINK, is also set to debut a new female act this fall. BABYMONSTER, comprising three Korean (Ahyeon, Haram and Rora), two Thai (Pharita and Chiquita) and two Japanese (Ruka and Asa), will be making their official debut. The seven members have already gained traction on YouTube, amassing 2 million subscribers in only 129 days.
SM Entertainment, which houses NCT and aespa, has plans to produce three new acts in 2023. It plans to launch "NCT Tokyo" (tentative name), a new sub-unit of the renowned boy group NCT, which will be based in Japan. This upcoming sub-unit marks the final addition to NCT's diverse lineup. Sungchan and Shotaro, who recently left NCT, will form a boy group with other idol trainees at SM as well. The group will include other members hailing from Korea and the U.S. A new girl group is also in SM's pipeline but the exact debut date is unknown.
JYP Entertainment, home to Stray Kids and NMIXX, was set to launch a boy group this year but this plan is unlikely to proceed, according to industry insiders.
The music industry is sure to get more exciting this year with the debut of new rookie groups from major K-pop companies. These new groups are sure to bring fresh music and energy to the industry, and fans are eager to see what they have in store. With so many new groups debuting this year, competition in the music industry is sure to heat up.