With big K-pop labels launching rookie groups, music business competition is anticipated to heat up this year.
On May 30, KOZ Entertainment, a sub-label of K-pop giant HYBE representing BTS, released BOYNEXTDOOR.
In 2019, rapper-producer Zico formed KOZ with Sungho, Riwoo, Jaehyun, Taesan, Leehan, and Woonhak. “WHO!” includes “But I Like You,” “One and Only,” and “Serenade.” As of Tuesday, “One and Only” had over 20 million YouTube views.
The specifics of HYBE’s 2023 debuts are under wraps. Some sources suggest Pledis Entertainment may establish a new boy group. Pledis handles SEVENTEEN and fromis_9.
YG Entertainment will launch another female artist after BLACKPINK’s popularity. BABYMONSTER—three Koreans (Ahyeon, Haram, and Rora), two Thais (Pharita and Chiquita), and two Japanese (Ruka and Asa)—will debut this fall. The group’s founder, Yang Hyun-suk, called them “babies with YG’s DNA.”
The seven members performed on “BABYMONSTER – ‘Last Evaluation'” this year. They have 2 million YouTube followers in 129 days.
In 2023, SM Entertainment, which owns NCT and aespa, will launch three new artists. It will establish “NCT Tokyo” (tentative name), a Japanese sub-unit of the famous boy group NCT. This sub-unit completes NCT’s diversified portfolio.
After leaving NCT, Sungchan and Shotaro would create a boy group with other SM idol trainees. Korean and American members will join. SM’s new female group’s debut date is unclear.
According to industry sources, JYP Entertainment, home of Stray Kids and NMIXX, may not establish a male group this year.
