Following up the overall success of K-pop in 2015, 2016 has a lot to live up to. And there are plenty of worries for K-pop fans, particularly regarding several contract issues.
At least four popular K-pop idol groups are up for contract renewals, while several male K-pop idols are likely to enlist in the military this year.
Recently, K-pop quintet KARA made headlines since the contracts of Park Gyuri, Goo Hara, and Han Seungyeon are all up for reconsideration, which would potentially leave Heo Youngji as the only remaining KARA member. DSP Media has stayed silent regarding the situation, but Korean media has reported that Goo Hara is likely to pursue an acting career, potentially under KeyEast.
The contracts of two popular Cube Entertainment groups, BEAST and 4Minute, are also set to expire or be renewed in 2016. Both groups have large fanbases and have released multiple hit songs, and BEAST is considered Cube's representative act.
There have been no indications that members of either 4Minute or BEAST will leave their agency, but fans are still concerned about the groups' longevity.
2NE1's members, aside from CL who renewed her contract with YG Entertainment in 2015, are also set to expire this year. Following more than a year's hiatus from the group, 2NE1's future has yet to be determined.
Along with the high-profile contract renewals is the worry that several of Korea's top idols are set to enlist in the Korean military.
Super Junior has already seen several members enlist, and complete, their mandatory military service. Youngest members Ryeowook and Kyuhyun are likely set to enlist in 2016.
Big Bang has yet to see any members serve in the military, but the oldest members of the popular idol group have reached the maximum age where they can continue to postpone their enlistment.
JYJ's Xia Junsu, following fellow members Jaejoong and Yoochun, and soloist Lee Seung Gi are also rumored to enlist in 2016.
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Tamar Herman is a multi-media journalist and the co-founder of KultScene. She is a freelance writer and copy editor, and has written for MTV Iggy, Noisey, and Paste Magazine.
