5 K-Pop Artists That Saved Their Company From Bankruptcy

In the K-Pop industry, success isn't always a guarantee, and it's especially true for those hailing from small companies. While it can be difficult for an up and rising company to make a name for themselves in the first few years, it isn't exactly impossible, even if they're on the brink of bankruptcy - and it's all because of their artists!

With that, here are five K-Pop artists who have saved their companies, and helped build and expand it to what it is today!

1. IU - LOEN Entertainment

It isn't easy marking your place as a solo artist in an industry that is dominated by K-Pop groups, but IU proved otherwise!

After signing with LOEN Entertainment and subsequently debuting, IU faced numerous obstacles, such as hearing insults and not seeing commercial success. But by 2010, the singer rose to stardom after releasing her hit song "Good Day."

With IU's rising popularity and success, she was able to make a name for herself as the top solo artist in the country. With that, she was also able to save LOEN Entertainment from financial issues, and helped the company gain recognition in the industry.

2. Chung Ha - MNH Entertainment

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Just like IU, Chung Ha was also able to find her place in the K-Pop industry as a solo artist. After competing on Mnet's "Produce 101" and debuting in the now-disbanded project girl group I.O.I, Chung Ha made her debut as a solo artist and released numerous hit songs.

With Chung Ha's success domestically, and being viewed as one of the best solo artists for her talents in both dancing and singing, she was able to make MNH Entertainment known. Because of that, the company was even able to debut a new group called BVNDIT.

3. EXID - Banana Culture (formerly Yedang Company)

When EXID debuted, the group itself was on the brink of disbandment after failing to attain domestic recognition. But the group was given a second chance at success when member Hani's fancam video of "Up & Down" went viral on social media, which allowed them to shoot back up on the charts. With EXID becoming viral, Banana Culture was able to save themselves from going bankrupt with the group's subsequent releases.

However, with the EXID members departing from the company back in 2020, Banana Culture became defunct.

4. BTS - HYBE (formerly Big Hit Entertainment)

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One of the most famous success stories is BTS and their company HYBE.

The company, which was originally known as Big Hit Entertainment, started off as a small and relatively unknown company in the industry. In fact, they had several financial difficulties that put them in a position to almost disband BTS.

But with the group's gradual rise in popularity, and eventually dominating the entire music industry worldwide, HYBE grew alongside the group and expanded into a corporation.

Now, HYBE is one of the top-earning companies in the world!

5. Apink - Play M Entertainment

Play M Entertainment, now known as IST Entertainment, was a struggling company during its early days. With Apink under the company, the group had difficulty when it came to practices as they only had a small basement practice room. But with Apink's becoming one of the top second-generation girl groups known for their hit songs "Mr. Chu," "NoNoNo," and more, Play M Entertainment was able to upgrade and move its headquarters to a better building.

Which other K-Pop artist saved their company from bankruptcy?

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KpopStarz owns this article.
Robyn Joan wrote this.