Which company will reign as the top K-pop agency this 2023? In a report, these are the respective comebacks & debut lineups of HYBE and "BIG 3" SM, JYP and YG in the first half of the year.
HYBE's 'Multi-Label' Expansion: Debut of 2 Boy Groups From Pledis, KOZ
Following military enlistment announcements of BTS members, HYBE will further expand its business structure and promote cross-industry collab.
NewJeans became a forerunner by releasing their new EP, "OMG," on Jan. 2.
LE SSERAFIM is expected to contribute to the company's steep rise with their future activities.
This year, HYBE is set to strengthen its lineup by launching 2 rookie boy groups.
The first one will be SEVENTEEN's brother group from Pledis, while the second one will be introduced by KOZ Entertainment, the label led by Zico.
"Both groups are composed of members who have their own production skills and outstanding skills, aiming for the lead in the 5th generation."
SM Entertainment Continues SMCU: SuperM, GOT the beat, NCT Tokyo Debut
In 2023, SM Entertainment's SMU extension will be felt.
Starting with the SMCU Palace concert held on January 1, the company also announced the respective comebacks of two "K-pop Avengers," SuperM and GOT the beat.
Girls on Top (GOT) the beat comprising BoA, SNSD Taeyeon & Hyoyeon, Red Velvet Seulgi & Wendy and aespa Karina & Winter will make a comeback with "Stamp on It" on Jan. 16.
SuperM, composed of SHINee Taemin, EXO Baekhyun & Kai, NCT Taeyong & Mark, and WayV Lucas &Ten, is also expected to resume its activities this year in time for Taemin's discharge in April.
SHINee and EXO are also planning to return this year, following respective members' military discharge.
It is known that SM will launch a new unit NCT Tokyo and another rookie boy group outside the large-scale group, NCT.
JYP's 'Localization': NiziU, Project C, A2K, NMIXX, More!
Following the debut of the Japan-based girl group NiziU in 2022, JYP is planning to debut 3 new boy groups, including the Chinese idol group, Project C, as well as the boy version of NiziU.
JYP LOUD, a pre-debut team, is also expected to have its official launch in 2023.
America2Korea (A2K), a global girl group debut project that will be active in North America, is also underway.
Regarding comebacks, TWICE is set to drop their 12th mini-album, "Our Youth," in March, initially releasing a pre-release English single in January.
NMIXX will also have their comeback, as well as Xdinary Heroes.
YG 'Revenge Comeback' G-Dragon, BLACKPINK Jisoo, Baby Monster
Over the past years, YG suffered following artists' controversies and withdrawal. Bad news poured until before 2022 ended, such as Bang Yedam & Mashiho (TREASURE), iKON, BIGBANG T.O.P, Taeyang and Daesung's departure from the agency.
However, YG decided to avenge itself with the release of K-pop icons and the debut of a new girl group this 2023.
BIGBANG G-Dragon will finally release his solo album, while BLACKPINK Jisoo will officially debut as a soloist with an album.
YG will also make a winning move with the launch of a new girl group Baby Monster (BAEMON). The rookie wil be the first girl group to be introduced in seven years since BLACKPINK.
YG expressed confidence, saying it trained the selected members for four years through a 1000: 1 competition and selected the final elite members among them.
READ MORE: BABY MONSTER Profile: YG New Girl Group Members, Age, Fun Facts, More Details!
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Written by Eunice Dawson.
