After the shocking news that GFRIEND has chosen not to renew their contracts with Source Music, attention is now on the girl groups who debuted in 2014 and 2015 and are reaching the end of their contracts with their companies.
Curious to know which K-pop girl groups will face contract renewals this year? Then keep on reading!
1. Red Velvet
Red Velvet, composed of Irene, Seulgi, Wendy, Joy, and Yeri, debuted in Aug 2014. Members Irene, Seulgi, Wendy, and Joy will be facing contract renewal discussion in the summer of this year with SM Entertainment. Yeri, who debuted with the group in Mar. 2015, still has some time until her contract expires.
Red Velvet's last group activity was back on Jan. 1, 2021, when they performed as five members for SM Entertainment SMTOWN Live "Culture Humanity" online concert. Since then, the group has embarked on solo activities. Wendy debuted as a soloist in Apr. 2021 and Joy is scheduled to make her solo debuted in May 2021. Seulgi is the MC for "The Wise Music Encyclopedia," and Yeri is filming for the web drama "Blue Birthday."
Irene's last activity was in Feb. 2021, for the premiere of her film "Double Patty." She has remained out of the spotlight following her "gapjil" controversy.
2. TWICE
TWICE debuted in Oct. 2015 and will also be having contract renewal negotiations this year. Fans believe the group is likely to renew their contracts with JYP Entertainment, as they are still considered one of the most popular groups in South Korea.
TWICE will be releasing their tenth mini-album on Jun. 11, 2021. Previously, it was reported that TWICE had filmed their music video in Jeju Island for their upcoming comeback, which the company later confirmed. Since then, JYP Entertainment has shared a poster for the forthcoming mini-album and a previous of the physical album content. Pre-orders were opened on May 4.
On May 10, it was announced that the title track of the mini-album would be pre-released on Jun. 9.
3. APRIL
APRIL debuted in Aug. 2015. Though 2021 is nearing the half-year point, APRIL has not had any activities, leading netizens to speculate that they will not renew their contracts with DSP Media.
On Feb. 2021, Hyunjoo's brother made a post to an online community forum claiming his sister had left APRIL due to severe bullying and not because she wanted to pursue acting, as DSP Media announced. He had claimed his sister was bullied so severely that she had tried to take her own life. DSP Media denied the rumors and announced legal action against Hyunjoo and her family.
Hyunjoo took to her personal Instagram account on Apr. 2021, revealing to fans that the members bullied her. She also stated that DSP Media was blocking her from terminating her exclusive contract with them.
4. Oh My Girl
Oh My Girl debuted on Apr. 2015. As the girl group is experiencing a rise in fame following their 2020 comeback, "NONSTOP," fans believe it is highly unlikely they will not renew their contracts with WM Entertainment.
Oh My Girl recently made a comeback with their eighth mini-album, "Dear OhMyGirl" and the title track "Dun Dun Dance." They recently scored their first win for the song on the May 18 episode of "The Show." The girls took home the trophy with a total score of 7,851 points. Congratulations, Oh My Girl!
5. CLC
CLC debuted in Mar. 2015 and will be facing contract renewal negotiations this year. However, fans are unsure if the members will choose to stay with CUBE Entertainment or not. Previously, former member Elkie exposed CUBE Entertainment and claimed the company had no plans of backing CLC and their future activities.
CLC's last comeback as a group was on Sept. 2 with the release of their single "Helicopter." Since then, the members have pursued solo activities. Members Seunghee, Yeeun, and Seungyeon released an OST titled "Another Level" for the web drama "Be My Boyfriend." On Mar. 17, Sorn made her solo debut with the digital single "Run."
6. Lovelyz
Lovelyz debuted in Nov. 2014 and will most likely go through contract renewal negotiations this summer. The group has not made a comeback in 2021, leaving many to wonder about the group's future.
Lovelyz last comeback was on Sept. 1 with their seventh mini-album, "Unforgettable," and the title track "Obliviate." Lovelyz scored their first music show win for "Obliviate" on Sept. 8 on SBS MTV's "The Show."
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Written by Alexa Lewis
