(Image Credits [from top to bottom]: MAMAMOO, GOT7, Red Velvet, AKMU [edited])
Whether you are new to Kpop or not, you might be aware of the term “7-year curse”, since it is so often thrown around. This phrase came into prominence in 2010, when the Korean Fair Trade Commission started regulating Kpop idol contracts by allowing idols to be tied to their management label for a maximum of 7 years. This was the government’s attempt at monitoring and clamping down on the exploitative conditions of such entertainment contracts. While this timeframe has barely proven effective at bettering the treatment of idols (!), it has somehow become a part of fandom culture to discuss the fate of groups reaching this point in their careers. Yet, instead of focusing squarely on the future beyond these cursed contracts, why not look back on the impact and legacy of 4 outstanding groups from this generation? 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
First up is girl group Mamamoo! Having made their debut in June 2014 under RBW Entertainment, their contract renewals are drawing very close. In the past 7 years, the quartet has garnered much attention for their superb live vocals and stage presence, as well as their quirky yet warm personalities.
(Image Credit: 1theK (원더케이). Have a listen to the lead single off Moonbyul’s debut EP that sold nearly 80k copies 🐹 )
Their most prominent legacy, however, would have to be how successful they’ve been at juggling both their solo and group careers.
(Image Credit: 1theK (원더케이). Here’s Wheein’s chart topping single “Anymore” with Jung Key🐶)
The group’s brand has continuously grown with successive hit singles (Um Oh Ah Yeh, You’re The Best, Hip, etc.) as well as rapidly increasing album sales. Their latest album Travel sold over 160k+ copies - their highest monthly record since debuting!
(Screenshot by Author. Check out Solar’s very own YouTube channel 🐰)
In terms of their individual success, each of the members have managed to carve a niche for themselves in the competitive Kpop market with their own unique music styles and celebrity personas. So whether or not the girls choose to continue on as Mamamoo, fans can rest assured that the girls will be performing on stage for many more years to come!
(Image Credit: KOCOWA TV. Besides being popular for her solo songs, Hwasa has also captured viewers’ heart with her viral variety appearances 🦁)
Next on the list is boy group Got7! The septet debuted in January 2014, so their contracts with JYP Entertainment were recently terminated following the release of their fourth studio album. While none of the members have renewed with JYP, a trip down memory lane would shed light on just how much of a Kpop giant they were as a group. The greatest testament to their success, of course, would have to be their ability to consistently sell out their tours. The US leg of their Keep Spinning 2019 World Tour saw some 25,000+ people in attendance, with tickets sales amounting to nearly $3 million. These numbers account for only 4 out of the 100+ shows they’ve played globally during their time under JYP. Other groups who have had this level of success in their world tours include other industry big players like TVXQ, Big Bang, EXO and BTS - so for Got7 to be known as a group that regularly tours the world is doubtless an achievement worth celebrating and remembering!
Another beloved girl group that is facing the end of their contracts is Red Velvet. Though, it should be noted that a group's being under SM Entertainment usually entails that it would never officially disband. It would simply go into hiatus until all its individual members end up leaving the company. The quintet debuted in August of 2014, making them the last of the 4 groups in discussion to face contract renewal. With a list of hit songs in their #CookieJar 🍪 they rose to become the 5th most streamed Kpop artist on major streaming site Spotify, with their latest hit “Psycho” being the 9th most streamed Kpop song on the platform in 2020.
(Image Credit: Red Velvet. See the girls in action in this performance video of hit song “Psycho”)
Beyond their commercial success and worldwide recognition, the girls are most known for being South Korea’s representative idol group, amongst other artists, at a joint concert held in Pyongyang, North Korea back in 2018. Since 1999, only 4 other idol groups have had the honour of representing South Korea and performing in North Korea, so it’s safe to say - with practically no exaggeration - that the members of Red Velvet have left their mark in the history books with this achievement!
Last but certainly not least is the brother-sister duo Akdong Musician, now simply known as AKMU. Following their appearance on Season 2 of the reality competition show K-pop Star, they made their debut with YG Entertainment in April 2014. Armed with multiple chart-toppers, AKMU have been digital monsters in the realm of Kpop. Yet, their biggest legacy would be how they have continuously gained fans in an industry which favours either soloists or idol groups. It takes something special for a co-ed group (one made up of siblings at that!) to consistently churn out hit songs. That something special would be their intimate involvement in their own craft - especially that of Chan Hyuk, the older of the two, who has pretty much produced the duo's entire discography - which makes them standouts, since Kpop labels tend to manufacture every corner of their artistes’ careers. In an industry that takes the creativity out of the hands of the singers, the duo has been a breath of fresh air in popularising its unique folk ballad sound.
(Image Credit: AKMU. Take a break and enjoy the title track off their third studio album, which was entirely written by Chan Hyuk)
While goodbyes like these are bittersweet, the short lived nature of Kpop contracts bring to mind a classic quote: “How lucky am I to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.” Winnie the Pooh truly speaking up for all Kpop fans right there >< !
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