Happy New Year 2017! Everyone, how is your New Year celebration
going on? Did you manage to fulfill your resolutions last year? Hopefully
everything went well and you are ready to welcome 2017 with high spirit J
In K-Pop music industry, 2017 would be a prominent year. Many of
senior groups from 2nd generation face issue that could highly
affect their future. Some of these groups contract end this year. While other
groups have to let their members do military service. With this condition, it’s
kind of expected to see them on hiatus, even disbanded this year.
I have a bittersweet feeling looking at these 2nd
generation groups in 2017. These were idol groups who became the gate for me
entering K-Pop fandom in 2011. I used to memorize members name in each
different group, listen their songs, aware of their choreography, and enjoy
their performances. They were really popular during the peak of Hallyu Wave in
international scene back then.
Still, nothing lasts forever. These groups have to move on and
pursue another goal whether individually or together this year. What can we do
as fans just continue supporting them and wishing them the best for future
endeavor.
Right now, we don’t know for sure which 2nd generation
groups will stay and which groups will go separately. However, we can still
discuss and predict about it right? So, here it is my thought about the future
of 2nd generation groups in Big 3 agencies………..
SM
Entertainment
1. TVXQ
TVXQ will welcome a new era in 2017. Both of TVXQ current members, Yunho and Changmin will finish their military service. That would be no
surprise if TVXQ decide to release new single/album to greet back their fans in
2017.
There has been no information about TVXQ new contract after
slavery issue in 2009. But, it seemed that Yunho and Changmin had proper
contract now because SM Entertainment
should learn from the past, right? Beside, TVXQ had higher offer now. They are
senior group with thirteen years experience in music industry yet they still SM
Entertainment’s biggest moneymaker. Their tour is always successful and their
fan base is massive.
Yunho and Changmin also able to maintain high passion and energy
in performing throughout their career. It would be win win solution for them to
stay as TVXQ in SM Entertainment.
2. Super Junior
Super Junior definitely be back again in 2017. They have announced the release
of their eighth album this year as well as established their own exclusive
management under SM Entertainment called Label
SJ. Super Junior expected to comeback in full force since five of their
members, Siwon, Donghae, Eunhyuk, Sungmin, and Shindong finish their military enlistment this year and ready to
join the group. With all of their future preparation, there is a high chance
Super Junior will become the next Shinhwa,
the longest running boyband in K-Pop music scene.
However, Super Junior still needs to sort out their members’ issue
this year. The status of Sungmin and Kangin
remains undecided. There is a high chance that Sungmin will continue his career
in Super Junior after his marriage in 2014. As for Kangin, it would be hard for
him to continue because of his second DUI scandal last year.
3. Girls’
Generation (SNSD)
Girls’
Generation (SNSD) will celebrate tenth year
anniversary of their career this year. Members have hinted special project for
this anniversary on several occasions. There has been no clue about what kind
of special project that SNSD prepare. One thing for sure is they will come out
with a bang.
On another note, 2017 is a year when SNSD contract ended. This
could be the end of group too. Let’s be honest, their passion as SNSD slowly diminished
in the past several years. Most of the members have looked unexcited whenever
they performed together. They seemed lacking in energy and synchronization.
SNSD members also more focused on their individual activities
nowadays. Members like Taeyeon, Tiffany, and Seohyun fulfill their passion in music through solo debut. While Yoona, Yuri, and Sooyoung branched
into acting. It would not be a huge surprise if they decide to go separate ways
after SNSD.
JYP
Entertainment
1. Wonder Girls
Just like SNSD, Wonder
Girls contract end this year on their tenth anniversary too. There have
been various reports and speculations about their contract in the media. But, JYP Entertainment and Wonder Girls
haven’t officially confirmed it.
There is a chance that Wonder Girls renew their contract in JYP
Entertainment. Wonder Girls last two comebacks, I Feel You and Why So Lonely
were successful while also set new image for the group. They have shifted their
‘idol who could only sing and dance’ image to ‘band who create their own music
and show unusual concept’.
The changing image is a huge benefit for Wonder Girls. They could
easily produce any kind of music and offer any kind of concept without have to
fit certain idol standard. JYP Entertainment does not have to worry for Wonder
Girls release because they can manage themselves. Staying together, both Wonder
Girls and JYP Entertainment, seems like the best option for them.
2. 2PM
2PM contract ended in 2018, but older members like Jun K and Taecyeon begin enlisting this year. Each 2PM member takes turn in
enlisting, so the group will be on hiatus. They have released their last album Gentlemen’s Game in 2016 as well as announced
last concert called 6nights on the
end of February and early March this year. Both of these dubbed to be their
farewell performance before military service.
During this hiatus, each member of 2PM would focus on individual
activities. There is a high chance for them to release solo material in music.
But currently, members decided to expand other entertainment fields such as Junho and Chansung in acting.
YG
Entertainment
1. Bigbang
Bigbang has similar situation with 2PM. They have renewed their contract since
2015 until undisclosed time. However, Bigbang has to face military service this
year with T.O.P became the first
member to enlist. This condition likely make Bigbang on hiatus and each member
will focus on their solo career.
Lucky for Bigbang, each of their members has successfully
established name on their own. We see Daesung
continue his Japanese expansion by holding concert this year. While Seungri may try various entertainment
fields and maintain his business. As for G-Dragon
and Taeyang, there is no chance YG Entertainment will put them on
hiatus too. It is expected to see them releasing another solo album during
Bigbang hiatus.
2. 2NE1
Among all groups in this post, only 2NE1 who has officially disband. They have announced disbandment in
late November 2016 as three-member group. Their youngest member, Minzy have left the group earlier in
the same year.
As farewell, 2NE1 will release their last song together (without
Minzy) called Good Bye on January 21st.
This song obviously guaranteed success for them. Public must want to give
proper goodbye for one of K-Pop top girl groups with great digital rank.
After disbandment, each 2NE1 member will pursues their own goal in
entertainment industry. Minzy prepares for his solo debut in South Korea while CL tries breaking into United States
market. Dara also seems to be around
in the same field whether as actress or presenter. Bom will have a hard time to bounce back from her drugs scandal.
But I can see she still interested in singing. It won’t be shocking to see her
release digital singles or simply sing her song composition or cover in social
media.
That’s it my thoughts about the future of 2nd generation
K-Pop groups in 2017. Whatever happened, I wish all the best for all of them. I
also want to express my gratitude for them because without their effort, K-Pop
would not be as big as nowadays. Good luck!!!
Everyone, what are your thoughts about them? What other groups
ended their contract this year? Share your thoughts below and feel free to
discuss with me!
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