These K-Pop groups had the potential to be huge, but their companies mismanaged them. The company assembles and maintains K-Pop groups. As a result, the group’s fate is determined by the company's management. Mismanagement by companies can also lead to the demise of bands. In this article, we will talk about some of these groups ruined by their managing companies.
1. 4MINUTE
Cube Entertainment formed the South Korean female group 4Minute, which included Jihyun, Gayoon, Jiyoon, Hyuna, and Sohyun. The band was recognized for its edgy dance-pop style and "girl crush" image, which drew a sizable female fan base. The members have claimed that they still wish to sign with the company to continue as a group. Former member Jiyoon stated that their contract had expired before they could discuss activities outside of the group. They had no intention of disbanding, but they were forced to do so due to the firm. People believed that the company wasted away the girl’s potential.
2. 2NE1
2NE1 was a South Korean girl group founded by YG Entertainment from 2009 to 2016. The group consisted of four people: Bom, CL, Dara, and Minzy. They are famous for creating girl group trends in the Korean music industry and have become one of the significant figures of the Korean wave, shattering stereotypes of K-pop, musical experimentation, fashion, and stage presence. The disbandment of 2NE1 by YG Entertainment came as a massive surprise to everyone. Fans believe that if YG had provided Minzy with the necessary assistance, she would not have left the company. The company should have also supported CL's debut in America, as well as Park Bom, throughout her medical crisis.
3. MissA
JYP Entertainment formed the South Korean girl group MissA. The group formed in July 2010 with the single "Bad Girl Good Girl" and debuted as a team comprising Fei, Jia, Min, and Suzy. Their debut song became the best-performing single on the Gaon Digital Chart in 2010, making them the first artist ever to have their debut song reach the top of the charts. When JYP Entertainment was struggling financially, MissA began to decline. Suzy had started to become involved in acting, and instead of marketing Miss A as a group, they began to focus more on Suzy. The group quickly became known as "Suzy and Friends." The members soon began to leave the company one by one, and the group disintegrated.
4. After School
Pledis Entertainment's After School is a South Korean girl group with an admissions and graduation premise. Raina, Nana, E-Young, Lizzy, and Kaeun are the group members as of 2023. The group's last Korean comeback was in 2013 with "First Love," after which it was transferred to Japan. They were left in the dark following Japanese activities. Members began to leave the company soon after. Former maknae Lee Kaeun auditioned for Produce 48 but did not make the final cut and left the company after the show ended. After School has not yet been formally disbanded. However Nana is the sole remaining member.
5. MBLAQ
Rain founded the South Korean boy band MBLAQ, which stands for Music Boys Live in Absolute Quality. The group consists of Seungho, G.O, and Mir, as well as Lee Joon and Thunder. Rain's Legend of Rainism event on October 15, 2009, marked the group's debut. When they first released it, it did pretty well, even topping the charts. They had respectable popularity, but with a company that didn't know how to effectively promote the members, they quickly began to leave one by one. Their last appearance was in 2015, and the group has been on hiatus since then.
6. B.A.P
B.A.P was a South Korean boy band created by TS Entertainment in 2012. B.A.P released their debut song "Warrior" on January 26, 2012, followed by the release of their debut EP Warrior in February 2012. Fans are upset at TS Entertainment for failing to care for B.A.P. When they initially started, they were on the same level as BTS and EXO, and many expected them to climb to K-Pop superstars. However, due to mismanagement, B.A.P was involved in multiple litigation with the company and has since decreased in popularity, with all members going their separate ways.
7. PRISTIN
Pristin, initially Pledis Girlz, was a South Korean female group created in 2016 by Pledis Entertainment. Nayoung, Roa, Yuha, Eunwoo, Rena, Kyulkyung, Yehana, Sungyeon, Xiyeon, and Kyla were among the ten members of the group. With two members, Nayoung and Kyulkyung, coming from I.O.I. and numerous members having appeared on Produce 101, the group had the potential to be a hit. Pledis allowed the girls to remain in the dungeon when member Kyla went to the States for health concerns after their first reappearance. They launched a sub-unit called PRISTIN V in 2019 with minor success, but Pledis soon disbanded the group.
8. Crayon Pop
Crayon Pop is a South Korean female group created in 2012 by Chrome Entertainment. Geummi, Ellin, Choa, and Way were the four members of the group. Soyul, their fifth member, left the group in 2017. Crayon Pop made their formally debut in July 2012, when they sang "Saturday Night" on Mnet's M! Countdown. Crayon Pop is seen as a one-hit wonder in K-Pop, with many asking why they did not achieve greater success. They broke into the public with their song "Bar Bar Bar," but their firm Chrome Entertainment did nothing to capitalize on their newfound fame, and their star soon faded.
9. Topp Dogg/Xeno-T
Xeno-T is a South Korean boy band previously known as Topp Dogg. Hojoon, Sangdo, B-Joo, Xero, and Sangwon are the group's five members. The group was transferred to Hunus Entertainment following Stardom Entertainment's merger with the company. Following several lineup changes, the remaining five members changed their name to XENO-T in 2018. Former members Kidoh and Gohn filed complaints against their company for mismanagement of their careers, which caused things to turn sticky for the group. A-Tom would leave the group to compete in Produce 101 Season 2 and join JBJ, leaving Topp Dogg behind. The group's most recent project was a Japanese release in 2018.
10. The Ark
The Ark was shot down before it could ultimately shine, and their company disbanded them soon after. It's unfortunate because the girls were well-liked for being a dynamic group with incredible dancers and solid voices. Many people say they split up because their lead vocalist had vocal nodules and was unable to sing, and the company had some other plans for the concept of the group that the members were not comfortable with.
