K-media has updated the contract status of project K-pop girl group Kep1er, who is currently making buzz due to their upcoming album release and contractual disbandment.
On May 16, Korean news outlet Star News released an exclusive report which shared that the agencies of seven Kep1er members have agreed to extend their contracts.
However, the outlet reported that due to this decision, Kep1er will undergo a re-organization of seven members. This is due to members Kang Yeseo and Mashiro having reportedly signed contracts with 143 Entertainment to join the agency's girl group LIMELIGHT.
Should the decision be confirmed, and their contracts extended, Kep1er will proceed as a seven-membered act. The girl group's contract was initially planned to conclude in July 2024. However, the executives in each member's agency considered extending their activities.
The report also reached 143 Entertainment saying, "We had discussions with CJ ENM until the day before on whether to extend Kang Yeseo and Mashiro's activities with Kep1er. We are still carefully reviewing the contracts and no decision has been made."
Furthermore, 143 Entertainment is also home to the well-loved K-pop boy group iKON.
Kep1er was formed on Mnet's survival program "Girls Planet 999" and debuted with the first mini album "First Impact" and title track "WA DA DA" on January 3, 2022. The group is also under WAKEONE Entertainment and Swing Entertainment.
It is also composed of nine members, namely Yujin, Xiaoting, Mashiro, Chaehyun, Dayeon, Hikaru, Huening Bahiyyih, Youngeun, and Yeseo. The girl group has also raised discussions online among netizens, who speculated on Kep1er's future after their contract ends.
On April 25, WAKEONE released a brief comment, hinting fans of the group's possible contract extension. "We will continue to negotiate with each other to extend the activities of Kep1er," the agency shared.
In other news, Kep1er released their first Japanese full-length album "Kep1going" and its title track "Straight Line."
Watch the full MV for "Straight Line" here:
Here's how Kep1ians reacted to the MV:
- "Took them to the end of their contract to do the concept everyone wanted. Hikaru got a real rap, Hiyyih got a chorus. Where was this energy before?
- "Last Kep1er Japanese comeback I'm crying."
- "How is this not a Korean comeback? This deserves more audience. Xiaoting always eating it up with the intro will always leave the viewers tuning in for real."
- "For those who are not aware, they will have a Korean comeback in May. This is not their last album, so let's support Kep1er because they deserve it."
- "Before I hear people saying, 'I regret not stanning them sooner,' y'all better support, stream and go all out for their last Japanese and Korean comebacks."
- "Can people stop talking about their disbandment and actually praise this comeback because it's one of their best songs?"
- "Let's not ignore it, it might be an unpopular opinion, but this concept suits them so well and the song is pretty good compared to what they've been doing."
- "I really think they are the most misunderstood group of their generation. This is gold."
What are your thoughts on this? Would you like to see Kep1er extend their contracts? Let us know in the comments below!
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Written by Israel Monte
