There's exciting news as global idol stars have unanimously renewed their contracts.
YG Entertainment, the agency for BLACKPINK members Jisoo, Jennie, Rosé, and Lisa, announced on the 6th, "After careful discussion, we have entered into an exclusive contract for group activities with BLACKPINK, based on deep mutual trust."
YG Entertainment further stated, "With YG's full support, BLACKPINK plans to return the love of fans worldwide through new album releases and massive world tours, activities befitting their global status."
Regarding BLACKPINK's renewal with all members, YG Entertainment's chief producer Yang Hyun-suk expressed, "I'm delighted to continue our relationship with BLACKPINK. We will strive to ensure BLACKPINK shines even more brightly in the global music market as a leading K-POP artist and offer unwavering support and trust in their endeavors."
Since their debut in 2016, BLACKPINK has established themselves as one of the world's top girl groups, achieving hits with every release, including becoming the first K-pop girl group to achieve double million-seller status and topping the US Billboard 200. They also made history in K-pop by being the first Asian artists to headline Coachella and Hyde Park and launching the largest-scale world tour by a Korean female artist. The anticipation for their post-renewal activities is high.
For BTS members RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook, their agency, Big Hit Music, announced a board resolution on September 20 to renew contracts with all members. Big Hit Music explained that they plan to sequentially sign contracts with all BTS members based on this resolution.
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Since their debut in 2013 under Big Hit Entertainment, BTS has become a leading artist in South Korea and sparked a global phenomenon. They have topped various prestigious charts worldwide, including the US Billboard, UK Official Chart, Japan Oricon, iTunes, Spotify, and Apple Music.
Following their first contract renewal in October 2018, BTS made history in 2021 by becoming the first Korean pop artist to be nominated at the 63rd Grammy Awards and performing on its stage. They have been nominated for three consecutive years since then. At the '2021 American Music Awards', they won the prestigious 'Artist of the Year' award.
Post their second renewal in September, V's solo track 'Layover' entered the 'Billboard 200', and 'Slow Dancing' made it to the 'Global (Excluding US)' chart. Jimin's solo track 'Like Crazy' entered the 'Global (Excluding US)' and 'Global 200' charts. Jungkook's solo tracks 'Standing Next to You', '3D', 'Too Much', and 'Seven' are still charting on 'Hot 100', 'Global (Excluding US)', and 'Global 200'.
Dreamcatcher Company, the agency for Dreamcatcher members JiU, SuA, Siyeon, Yoohyeon, Dami, Handong, and Gahyeon, announced on November 16, 2022, "We are pleased to inform that all members of Dreamcatcher have recently renewed their contracts, based on mutual trust with the agency, despite their original contracts not yet expiring."
Dreamcatcher Company added, "We will support Dreamcatcher's domestic and global endeavors to ensure their continued growth and ask for your continued interest and love for the seven members who will make even greater strides with Dreamcatcher Company."
Since their debut in January 2017 as 'dream fairies catching nightmares,' Dreamcatcher has captivated fans both domestically and internationally with their unprecedented rock metal genre. They've marked significant milestones in K-pop history.
After their contract renewal in December 2022, Dreamcatcher topped Forbes Korea's poll for '2022 Best K-pop Star' in the female idol category and won the 'North American Continental Global Artist Award' at the '30th Hanteo Music Awards 2022' in February. Their eighth mini-album 'Apocalypse: From us,' released in May, topped the iTunes Worldwide Album Chart in the US, and their ninth mini-album 'VillainS,' released in November, also debuted at number one on the iTunes Worldwide Album Chart in the US, marking their seventh number one on the worldwide album chart and proving their consistent global popularity.
JYP Entertainment, the agency for TWICE members Nayeon, Jeongyeon, Momo, Sana, Jihyo, Mina, Dahyun, Chaeyoung, and Tzuyu, announced on July 12, 2022, "TWICE has completed renewing their contracts ahead of their exclusive contract expiration this fall."
JYP Entertainment further stated, "TWICE, who played a crucial role in establishing the stature of JYP Entertainment, and JYP Entertainment, which has been a strong pillar for TWICE's growth as a representative K-pop girl group, have agreed to renew based on this trust and are confident in a more prosperous future. We will spare no support for TWICE as they continue to grow as a global top girl group."
Since their debut in 2015, TWICE has set numerous records both domestically and internationally, including winning major awards at various music award ceremonies, surpassing 10 million cumulative album sales in Korea and Japan, making history by performing three consecutive times at Tokyo Dome in the shortest period since their debut, ranking third on the 'Billboard 200' with their third full album, and holding the record for the most music videos with over 100 million views among all girl groups worldwide.
After their contract renewal, on March 1 (local time), they became the first K-pop artist to win a trophy at the '2023 Billboard Women In Music' ceremony, one of the largest award ceremonies. On March 25, they achieved their personal best ranking of second place on the 'Billboard 200' with their mini 12th album 'READY TO BE,' released on March 10.
Last month, TWICE was nominated in three categories at the '2023 Billboard Music Awards (BBMAs)': 'Top K-Pop Album', 'Top Global K-Pop Artist', and 'Top K-Pop Touring Artist'. They also won the 'WORLDWIDE FAN'S CHOICE' at the '2023 MAMA AWARDS', drawing attention as the only girl group among the awardees.
Pledis Entertainment, the agency for Seventeen members S.Coups, Jeonghan, Joshua, Jun, Hoshi, Wonwoo, Woozi, The8, Mingyu, DK, Seungkwan, Vernon, and Dino, announced on July 19, 2021, "We inform you that all members of Seventeen have renewed their contracts."
Pledis Entertainment explained, "Even before the original contract period ended, all 13 members of Seventeen and the agency formed a consensus on the group's future vision and were able to sign an early renewal."
The agency added, "All 13 members decided to continue together based on mutual trust and solid teamwork. We will fully support the group and individual activities and establish more stable and long-term plans for domestic and international activities."
Since their debut in 2015, Seventeen has captured both domestic and international charts, including the US Billboard and Japan Oricon, creating a global sensation.
After their contract renewal in August 2022, Seventeen was nominated for the second consecutive year at the '2022 MTV Video Music Awards' and won the 'PUSH Performance Of The Year' award, marking their first award since debut and demonstrating their unmatchable presence as K-pop leaders.
In October, they were nominated in three categories at the '2022 MTV European Music Awards': 'Best K-Pop', 'Best New', and 'Best Push'.
Their mini 11th album 'SEVENTEENTH HEAVEN,' released in October, broke the record for the highest pre-order volume in K-pop history with over 5.26 million copies. Last month, they won their first grand prize with their mini 10th album 'FML' at the '2023 MAMA AWARDS', eight years after their debut.
Thus, idol stars who have overcome the '7-year curse' are continuing to soar higher, dominating both domestic and international scenes post their contract renewals.
