[T/W: Mentions of bullying, school violence, sexual misconduct, suicide]
In K-pop, groups experience unfortunate events that are too many to count. This led a notion across the community to develop the idea of "curses," which involves a member leaving, disbandment, and other negative occurrences.
For sure you've heard some famous ones such as the "7 year curse" which generally relates to disbandment, or the "OT12" curse that affects the group's member count.
In today's K-pop, a new notion called "OT6 curse" is slowly becoming notorious, due to six-membered groups being met with unlucky occurrences.
Here are 10 K-pop groups who have experienced the 'OT6 Curse'
1. GFRIEND
MOMOLAND is the latest group to experience this "curse." The legendary "Bboom Bboom" singers disbanded after their contract expired. Originally 9 members, it was followed by the departure of Yeonwoo, Taeha, and Daisy. This led them to officially promote as a six-membered group.
11. MONSTA X
MONSTA X originally debuted as a seven-member group in 2015 with members Shownu, Minhyuk, Kihyun, Hyungwon, Joohoney, I.M, and Wonho. The group was formed through the survival project "No.Mercy."
However, in 2019, Starship Entertainment announced that Wonho would no longer be a member of MONSTA X following allegations of illegal drug usage.
The rumors were proven to be false in 2020, but he was never put back in the group. He debuted as a soloist in April with Highline Entertainment, a subsidiary of Starship.
12. INFINITE
INFINITE debuted as seven members - Sungkyu, Dongwoo, Woohyun, Sungyeon, L, Sungjong, and Hoya, in 2010.
The group maintained their seven-member line-up until 2017. On August 30, Woollim Entertainment confirmed that Hoya would no longer be part of the group after he decided not to renew his contract with the agency. Since then, he has promoted as a soloist.
13. BTOB
When BTOB made their debut in 2012, they were originally seven members: Eunkwang, Minhyun, Chansub, Hyunsik, Peniel, Sungjae, and Ilhoon.
However, in December 2020, CUBE Entertainment announced Ilhoon's departure from the group after being investigated for illegal usage of marijuana.
Following his departure, he admitted to all the charges and was ordered a 40-hours drug treatment. He was also made to pay a fine of 126.63 million won for breaking the Narcotics Control Act.
14. 2PM
2PM made their debut with "10 Out of 10" with seven members: Jun.K, Nickhkun, Taecyeon, Wooyoung, Junho, Chansung, and Jaebeom. Sadly, this seven member line-up would not last long.
In February 2010, JYP Entertainment announced Jaebeom's contract was terminated following a nearly year-long hiatus. This comes after posts he made from 2005. In the posts, Jaebeom allegedly expressed his hatred for Korea despite being a trainee under JYP Entertainment.
He made his solo debut in 2012. Internationally, he is more commonly known as Jay Park.
Do you know any other six-membered groups who have experienced the "OT6 Curse"?
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