In Korea, there are many big companies, such as SM Entertainment, Big Hit Entertainment, JYP Entertainment, and YG Entertainment. When groups come from big companies, it's pretty much guranteed that they'll be popular, thanks to the agency's reputation.
However, there are some idol groups who achieved massive success despite coming from a small label. Here are a few who were able to make it big internationally.
1. ATEEZ
ATEEZ debuted in 2018 under KQ Entertainment. The company is slightly known for its sub-label, Seven Seasons, that it currently manages. They were relatively unknown until ATEEZ!
KQ Entertainment promoted ATEEZ even prior to their debut. They were formerly known as KQ Fellaz, and the company would release videos of the group's choreography and covers. Leading up to their debut, they released the series "KQ Fellaz American Training," where the group traveled to California and trained. After, that, they released a reality show called "Code Name Ateez" prior to their debut which aired on Mnet.
With all the hype surrounding them even before their debut, the group's debut was a success both in Korea and internationally! It was so successful that not even a year after they launched, they announced that they would be going on a world tour. They performed in the United States and Europe. All the shows were sold out, further proving their popularity. The group has since debuted in Japan.
2. LOONA
LOONA debuted as a whole group in 2018 under Blockberry Creative and is the only idol group in the company. Hype and promotions for LOONA started way back in 2016, where each member would release a solo single over the next eighteen months, meaning the members had all debuted as soloists before debuting in LOONA. Additionally, three sub-units debuted before LOONA as a whole: LOONA 1/3, LOONA Odd Eye Circle, and LOONA yyxy.
The group gained even more popularity following members Heejin and Hyunjin's participation in the YG Entertainment survival show "Mix Nine," with Hyunjin ranking within the top 18 and Heejin placing fourth in the finale.
All of this promotional activity for LOONA spurred a huge international fanbase. It got so big, in fact, that even people who weren't fans of LOONA knew about the group due to the fans always posting and sharing posts that reads "STAN LOONA," or something else of that nature.
3. MONSTA X
MONSTA X debuted in 2015 under Starship Entertainment. Starship Entertainment is not as small as other mentioned companies, as they housed the famous girl group SISTAR. But they are now reaching new heights of success because of MONSTA X!
The group first gained people's attention in 2014, prior to the group's debut. Starship Entertainment, in partnership with Mnet, had launched a reality show called "No.Mercy," in which the members who passed in the finale would form MONSTA X.
Their debut was well-received in both Korea and internationally. Not even a year after their debut, the boys appeared in KCON 2015 to meet their American fans. In 2017, they debuted in Japan, breaking records with their songs "Hero" and "Stuck." That same year, the boys embarked on their first world tour.
They became international superstars by 2019. They have collaborated with Steve Aoki and French Montana for their American promotions and even appeared on the Cartoon Network show "We Bare Bears." They have also performed on the iHeartRadio Jingle Ball Tour.
4. EVERGLOW
EVERGLOW debuted in 2019 under Yuehua Entertainment. Yuehua Entertainment is a huge company in China but is relatively small in South Korea, and are mostly known for housing the Chinese members of WJSN and UNIQ. People's interest in the group piqued after Yuehua Entertainment announced the group's line-up. Three of the six members had participated in Mnet survival shows: Sihyeon competed on "Produce 101 Season 1" and "Produce 48," Yiren competed on "Produce 48" and Onda competed on "Idol School."
The group's debut was a huge success, their MV garnered millions of views within the first 24 hours, which is a huge feat for a girl group from a small company. In Korea, their debut album peaked at number six on the Gaon Album Chart, and their debut song "Bon Bon Chocolate" peaking at number five on the World Digital Song Sales Chart. In January 2020, the group embarked on their first North American tour. Sadly, due to the coronavirus outbreak, they had to cancel their sold-out Los Angeles show.
5. Dreamcatcher
Dreamcatcher debuted in 2017 under Happy Face Entertainment. The group already had some fans, as most of the members had previously debuted in the girl group MINX under the same label. In 2016, the company announced the group would re-debut with name "Dreamcatcher" and would have two new members.
The girls earned international attraction prior to their debut thanks to their unique concepts. With most girl groups debuting with the same concepts, either cute or girl crush concepts, Dreamcatcher stuck out for their nightmare-themed concept. Their music had blended in rock and K-Pop, bringing a new sound to the industry.
Their music received critical acclaim for their songs, and their debut song "Chase Me" was named as of one of the Best K-Pop Songs of 2017 by Billboard, and was additionally named as one of the Best New K-Pop Acts of 2017.
The group gained further attention after members Jiu, Siyeon, Yoohyeon, and Dami appeared on the YG Entertainment survival show "Mix Nine." Notably, Jiu consistently ranked within the top 9 during her time on the show, but she and her members were ultimately pulled out due to conflict schedules with their Brazil tour. In 2020, member Handong appeared on the show "Youth With You."
