7 K-pop News Pieces You May Have Missed Out On

1) iKON signs with 143 Entertainment

After seven years being part of YG Entertainment, K-pop group iKON have decided not to renew their contracts with the label. Shortly after the announcement, iKON released a statement explaining their tie-up with 143 Entertainment and confirmed they would release a new album in April. Former leader B.I — who left the group and YG Entertainment in 2019 — will continue his activities as a soloist and does not plan on re-joining the group despite the change in label representation. The soloist’s label confirmed the same via a statement. 

2) Four Astro members renew their contract with Fantagio

Astro members Jinjin, Cha Eunwoo, Sanha and Moonbin have renewed their contracts with their label Fantagio. Rocky is still negotiating the contract renewal details while MJ will enter contract negotiations after he completes his military service. The news of the contract renewal comes a few days ahead of Moonbin and Sanha’s third sub-unit EP, Incense (out on January 4th). 

3) SuperM will return this year

SM Entertainment’s supergroup SuperM will make their highly anticipated comeback this year. The announcement was made via a short promotional clip played during the label’s free concert, SMTown Live 2023: SMCU Palace @Kwangya. The clip had seven laser lights beaming up into the sky and eventually assembling to form the SuperM logo. Currently, two members — Baekhyun and Taemin — are completing their mandatory military service. Rapper Lucas has been on a hiatus from WayV’s group activities since August 2021. It is unclear whether he will return with SuperM this year.

4) YG Entertainment announces new girl group

After a series of changes in their artist roster, K-pop giant YG Entertainment has announced the debut of a rookie girl group. Announced on January 1st KST, YG Entertainment released a video introducing the company’s upcoming seven-member girl group, Baby Monster. While not much is known about the members, it seems like label seniors Winner, Blackpink and AKMU are quite impressed with the septet’s caliber. YG’s founder and general producer Yang Hyunsuk was also in the video and described the group as “a baby who has the YG genes.” Baby Monster will debut this year. 

5) GOT: The Beat performs new title track “Stamp On It”

SMTown Live 2023: SMCU Palace @Kwangya was a feast for K-pop aficionados. There was everything from stellar collaborative stages to groups performing their older smash hits and of course, GOT: The Beat reining the stage with a preview of their forthcoming single “Stamp On It.” Comprising BoA, Taeyeon and Hyoyeon of Girls’ Generation, Seulgi and Wendy of Red Velvet, and Karina and Winter of aespa, the supergroup’s upcoming single leads their first EP of the same name. In classic GOT: The Beat fashion, “Stamp On It” featured audacious and bold instrumentals with a catchy chorus easing listeners into its sonically intense soundscape. The single also featured soaring vocal performances with a fitting choreography to elevate the performance. Stamp On It will hit streaming platforms on January 16th. 

6) G-Dragon will return with a new album

Following BigBang’s March 2022 single “Still Life,” Girls Generation releasing an album after five years, 2NE1 reuniting at the Coachella stage and Kara dropping an album to celebrate their 15th anniversary, it was about time the King of K-pop announced his return! ‘Guerrilla Desk: G_Divison’ – a three-minute video clip released on January 1st – gave fans a look into how the rapper-producer spent 2022. Though Big Bang released a single in early 2022, the group were unable to support the release with live performances. Keeping this in mind, G-Dragon assured fans he’ll be creating several opportunities to interact with his fans, which include the release of a new album and several plans surrounding it. The artist’s forthcoming release is highly anticipated amongst fans and will mark his solo comeback after nearly five years. 

7) January 2023 comebacks are here

K-pop never sleeps! Be it Christmas or New Year, artists and labels ensure fans have a constant supply of content. With 2022 being the year of girl groups, 2023 looks promising for boy groups. This month alone, Astro’s Moonbin and Sanha, Monsta X, SF9, TXT, VIXX and NCT 127 are scheduled to have their comebacks. Soloists such as GOT7’s Yugyeom will also be releasing new music. As for girl groups, NewJeans, Twice, GOT: The Beat, Cignature, H1-Key and ILY:1 have announced their respective plans regarding music releases.