A K-Pop subunit refers to a smaller group formed from a larger group. Subunits usually have separate and exclusive releases, projects, concepts and music videos. Sub-units can be formed from within the same idol group, from tow of more groups under the same label or otherwise. Fans always love it when such crossovers happen and are successful which allows artists to branch out and experiment with different people as well as different styles. Here are some of our favourite subunits that we cannot get enough of.
1. NCT U
NCT or Neo Culture Technology is notorious for their varying subunits ranging from NCT DREAM to WAYV to NCT 127. NCT U is one such subunit of NCT which is created with members from the group who fit the particular concept that is decided for the subunit. As such, the members of this subunit keep changing, keeping the fans guessing about the type of music that is set to be released. NCT U debuted on April 9th, 2016, under SM Entertainment. They first debuted with two MV's, "The 7th Sense" (a complete fucking bop if I might as well add) and "Without You." The 7th Sense had five members - Taeyong, Doyoung, Ten, Jaehhyun, and Mark. Then a few days later, they dropped the "Without You" MV that had three members - Taeil, Doyoung, and Jaehyun (the vocal line). NCT U announced their comeback of February 19, 2018, with their song "BOSS" but with the addition of three new members - WinWin, Jungwoo, Lucas. (Jungwoo's birthday uWu) Adding to the lineup, the 7-member comeback included Taeyong, Doyoung, Jaehyun, WinWin, Jungwoo, Lucas, and Mark. The following week, on behalf of NCT U, Taeyong and Ten came out as a duet with a very popular (thot) MV called "Baby Don't Stop" on February 26th, 2018. On April 1, 2018, NCT U had released another track called 'Yestoday' that included Taeyong, Doyoung, Lucas, and Mark. Recently, Haechan from NCT 127 and NCT DREAM was announced as the new member of NCT U.
2. EXO-CBX
EXO-CBX (EXO-CHEN-BAEK-XI) is EXO's first subunit, comprised of members Chen, Baekhyun, and Xiumin. On July 29, 2016, Chen, Baekhyun, and Xiumin appeared in a video titled "Reservoir Idols" during Exo's concert tour Exo Planet 3 - The Exo'rdium. They then released an original soundtrack titled "For You" for the SBS television drama series Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo on August 23, 2016. As a result, it was speculated that they would form Exo's first sub-unit. This was confirmed by SM Entertainment on October 5. On October 23, they performed "For You" for the first time as a unit at the 2016 Busan One Asia Festival. On October 24, the unit's name was announced to be Exo-CBX (shortened from ChenBaekXi), after the first letter of the members' stage names. In January 2018, via an online program on LINE, they announced that they have prepared for their first Japan arena tour called "Magical Circus" in May and June.mThe tour had eight shows with four cities in Japan, including Yokohama, Fukuoka, Nagoya, and Osaka. On April, the group released their second Korean mini-album Blooming Days.
3. JJ PROJECT
JJ Project is a subunit under GOT7 consisting of JB and Jinyoung. They were formed by JYP Entertainment and released their debut single "Bounce" in May 2012. However, JJ Project existed as a duo even before GOT7 came into being. They debuted as a part of GOT7 in 2014. JJ Project made their first comeback in 5 years with "Verse2" in 2017. Fans love seeing these two incredible artists together as a duo. We hope they make another comeback soon.
4. MOBB
MOBB is made up of Bobby and Mino, even though they are not under the same group. Being label mates, excellent friends, as well as competitors in the hip hop survival reality show, Show Me The Money, this duo was a force to be reckoned with. MOBB made their debut with the release of the four-track EP The Mobb. The music video for Bobby's solo track "HOLUP!" was released on September 7, 2016, and the music video for Mino's solo track "BODY" was released on September 8. On September 9, music videos for the collaborative singles "FULL HOUSE" and "HIT ME" were released. Sadly, however, the duo's profile was removed from the YG Entertainment website in 2019, confirming their disbandment.
5. GDXTAEYANG/GD X TOPP
These two subunits both fall under BigBang and deserve mentions in this list. GD is the common participant in both these subunits and both of them made great waves in the K-Pop industry when they first came out. The tracks 'GOOD BOY' by GD X TAEYANG and 'ZUTTER' by GD X TOPP were absolute bangers that are still played in clubs to this day. Due to a lot of unsavoury controversies, fans haven't seen a lot of BigBang lately but they haven't lost hope. Fans of these subunits as well as the group itself, still hope for a successful comeback.
