Disclaimer: As with my write-ups on Ok-Pop’s largest businesses, that is written from an outsider’s perspective. I’m not aware about any business-related monetary data past what some other fan would know. The aim of those articles is to look at how nicely these businesses are serving their artists and the overall Ok-pop fan-base.
If you happen to’re curious to learn my ideas on these businesses from final yr, click on right here for half one and right here for half two!
KQ Leisure
ATEEZ’s launch schedule has develop into much less grueling, however they’re nonetheless touring and travelling like loopy. Nonetheless, with just one mini album in 2022 and a particular album in late-2021, this felt like a slower interval for the company. They’re engaged on debuting their subsequent boy group, which may very well be very thrilling. However, the trainees’ bizarre pseudo-competition debut present The Participant was one of the crucial oddly underwhelming items of Ok-pop propaganda I’ve watched. It actually didn’t appear to have a lot of some extent and I’m curious when/if the brand new group will arrive on the scene.
B-
MLD Leisure
MLD was most likely over-presumptuous naming themselves after Momoland since that group has steadily light in recent times. They’d an odd little one-off single early this yr that was truly fairly good, however the company’s focus gave the impression to be on new acts Lapillus and the newly-coined TFN (beforehand T1419). Neither of those acts have been blessed with sturdy materials and it usually feels just like the company is compelled to pluck by means of the songwriting cut price bin. On condition that they’re a subsidiary of Double Kick Leisure (fashioned by the mighty producers Duble Sidekick), you’d suppose they’d be capable to harvest some basic Ok-pop sounds.
D
P Nation
It was a yr of exodus for P Nation. In 2022, they misplaced Jessi, HyunA and Daybreak. Oof. A lot for being the company everybody needed to affix! They nonetheless have a powerful roster, however this yr undoubtedly discovered P Nation in a stage of rising pains. They debuted their first idol group, the LOUD-spawned TNX. However with just one mini album, they haven’t but made the waves I’d’ve anticipated from such a hyped company. PSY lastly launched his long-delayed album and it was a powerful assortment of songs led by a bonafide hit. Crush and Heize additionally scored hits, whereas Jessi, HyunA and Daybreak all launched music earlier than leaping ship. If something, I’m extra nervous about what 2023 will carry for P Nation.
C-
RBW (Rainbow Bridge World)
RBW has swallowed up different businesses like WM And DSP, however I’m conserving them separate for now since – for essentially the most half — all of them appear to function independently of each other. That leaves Mamamoo, ONEUS, ONEWE, Purple Kiss and (surprisingly) Kara underneath the core RBW umbrella.
Mamamoo had a fairly busy 2022, with solo releases from all three members nonetheless underneath the company and a gaggle comeback late within the yr. Not a lot of this music registered with me, however they proceed to chug together with constant success.
ONEUS needed to cope with a member loss this yr, however previous to that they launched two stable mini albums. It wasn’t their finest yr musically, however they’ve cast a loyal fan base. ONEWE is just a little trickier, and presently combating enlistment hiatuses that makes their quick future much less clear. RBW has by no means felt as snug selling a rock group as they’re their dance acts.
Purple Kiss misplaced a little bit of momentum in 2022, although they nonetheless have their distinctive place among the many 2021 class of rookie acts. In contrast with new-ish lady teams from different businesses, it doesn’t really feel like RBW are selling them very laborious, although.
B-
TOP Media
TOP Media has not often stood out as a significant participant, however they’ve a ton of expertise producing boy teams. Sadly, that have isn’t presently resulting in blockbuster gross sales. The company gave senior group UP10TION two comebacks this yr, however neither registered with the general public. MCND additionally stalled, releasing one mini album to deflated gross sales. Oddly sufficient, their largest success in 2022 appeared to come back from soloists. From what I can inform, Kim Wooseok’s album boasted the company’s largest gross sales of the yr (although even these have been down). I don’t know… TOP Media doesn’t really feel very buzzy anymore. They should do one thing huge and thrilling with their acts.
D+
Wake One Leisure
Wake One is new to this function in 2022, however with Kep1er and TO1 amongst their ranks they really feel value writing about. Kep1er has been a runaway success, fueled by competitors present hype and a mixture of interesting members. As a rule, their music has left one thing to be desired. However, it’s promoting like sizzling truffles.
TO1’s transformation has been one of many yr’s highlights. With new members and a brand new sound, the group lastly looks like they’ve some focus. They’ve seen a slight bump in gross sales, however extra importantly the music itself has been constantly stable.
B+
WM Leisure
It looks like WM Leisure has been in some type of standing this yr. With most of ONF within the army and B1A4 largely inactive as a gaggle, its male acts are off the desk. Nonetheless, I’ve gotta give them kudos for pre-planning a particular ONF launch through the group’s hiatus. That was a cool concept, even when the music wasn’t amongst their finest.
Sadly, WM appears to have bungled Oh My Woman’s likelihood at mega-success. Again in 2020, they felt unstoppable. Their 2022 album offered nicely, however got here and went with out a lot impression. Unusually, WM doesn’t appear to be selling them. It’s as if their fingers are tied. I don’t get it.
We had a solo launch from YooA this yr, however her music appeared to polarize opinion. Lee Chaeyeon’s solo debut was a vibrant spot, and positions her nicely for the longer term. Nonetheless, it feels just like the company is intent on sabotaging itself. They want a powerful return from ONF, an Oh My Woman revitalization and a few new teams able to debut.
C-
Yuehua Leisure
Yuehua’s debut of Tempest has been a giant 2022 success story, although they’ve misplaced a few of my religion with the drastic idea change of Dragon. Nonetheless, the group is doing very nicely in a yr with out many notable boy group debuts. Their future appears steady and vibrant.
Nonetheless, Yuehua appears to have forgotten that they’re residence to a lady group as nicely. After an awesome December 2021 comeback, Everglow just about disappeared. I’m undecided what the plan is, however Yuehua had a really lopsided 2022 – not less than in Korea.
One other combined bag was the company’s soloists. They’re set to lose Woodz, however Yena made a profitable solo debut and appears to have momentum at her heels.
