2023 has been a busy year for K-pop fans! This is because the most diverse fanbases were able to get excited, have fun and delve deeper into this universe through the release of countless singles and albums, as well as incredible shows and the arrival of new groups, who had long awaited their debuts. by loyal fandoms.
In addition to the happy moments, tears were also part of last year. This happens because several farewells were organized, for example, those aimed at male idols from groups of different generations who began to fulfill the military enlistment for men in South Korea.
For this reason, RECREIO has put together a list below of 5 of the main moments that happened last year and marked the history of K-pop.
1. Moobin Death
On April 19, 2023, K-pop fans grieved the sad news of K-pop’s passing. Moonbin, by ASTRO. On that date, the idol was found dead at his residence in the Gangnam district, in Seoul, by his manager, at around 8:10 pm (South Korean time).
It is worth mentioning that, at the time, the singer was preparing for the shows scheduled for the Latin tour of the MOONBIN&SANHA unit, which, in fact, had a performance scheduled in Brazilian lands, more precisely, in São Paulo, on June 5th.
The loss moved the Korean music industry, so much so that idols and TV shows canceled their schedules due to mourning, as was the case with the girl group Billlie, which has as one of its members Moon Suayounger sister of Moonbin. In addition to Billie, iKON, LE SSERAFIM, UI, SUGA (BTS), Youngjae (GOT7) and the KBS Music Bank and MMTG programs also had their activities cancelled.
More than that, several idols sent messages of affection to the idol, and expressed their feelings regarding the loss of Moonbinas done by names like Chanwoo (iKON), RM (BTS), Hyolin (SISTAR) and many others through letters and statements published on social media.
Around April 25th, Fantagio created a memorial to honor the life of Moonbin (which was closed on December 3rd last year at the request of fans), in addition to closing the MOONBIN&SANHA Weverse community on April 30th.
Even though it’s difficult news, fans and friends will always remember his incredible smile. Moonbin and his collaboration and support for the k-pop universe, as proven Seungkwanby SEVENTEEN, at MAMA 2023, where after the group received one of the main awards of the award (Daesang), by winning the ‘Album of the Year’ category with the album “FML”, he took the moment to thank the idol in his speech of victory.
I don’t know if I can talk about this here. This year has been busy. But to my friend Binnie (Moonbin), who has always loved and supported our group so much, I want to say thank you very much. Thank you and I love you,” Seungkwan said.
2. BTS Enlistment
The year 2023 was full of temporary goodbyes between ARMY and BTS members. This is because six members of the group donned military uniforms and enlisted in the armed forces this year.
The first of them was J-Hopewho on April 17 shared the first image of his shaved head, and on the 18th of the same month joined the army as an active soldier when he reported to the 36th Infantry Division’s recruitment training center in the city of Wonju, in Gangwon province , in South Korea.
Soon after, it came Suga, which on September 22, began basic training. Different than J-Hopehe was not considered eligible for active service in the army, being selected to serve as a public servant, a decision that was probably due to a shoulder injury caused by a traffic accident in 2012, although the information has not been confirmed through the group’s agency, BIG HIT Music.
Months later, the fandom had to say goodbye to RM It is V, on December 11, when the two reported together to the Korean Army Training Center in Nonsan. Just one day later, on December 12, ‘see you later’ messages were sent to Jimin It is Jungkookwho also paired up, attended the 5th Infantry Division recruit training center in Yeoncheon County, South Korea. Jin has been enlisted since December 2022.
Therefore, it is expected that all BTS members will be released from their obligations in the Armed Forces until the last month of 2025.
3. Idol shows in Brazil
2023 was also the year of idol shows in Brazil! See the list of groups and soloists that were on Brazilian soil last year:
- Super Junior: São Paulo, at Espaço Unimed, on February 9;
- Mirae: São Paulo, at Terra SP, on March 18;
- Jackson Wang: São Paulo, at Espaço Unimed, on May 15;
- NCT DREAM: São Paulo, at Vibra São Paulo, on July 4th;
- p1harmony: São Paulo, at Tokyo Marine Hall, on July 21st; Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, on July 22;
- ATEEZ: São Paulo, at Allianz Parque, on August 26;
- aespa: São Paulo, at Espaço Unimed, on September 11;
- VAV: São Paulo, at VIP Station, on September 23;
- Eric Nam: São Paulo, at Cine Joia, on November 20th.
4. Renewal of contracts between BLACKPINK and YG Entertainment
One of the biggest concerns for BLINKs (as BLACKPINK fans are called) in 2023 arose due to the delay in renewing contracts between BLACKPINK and YG Entertainment, as the group and members’ exclusivity contract exceeded in August, and until December, no news about the new contracts had been confirmed by the agency.
During this period, several rumors emerged in the South Korean media in an attempt to explain why the negotiations were taking so long. Among the speculations was a report from the Korean newspaper Munhwa Ilbo, which stated that Lisafrom BLACKPINK, would receive an offer of 100 billion KRW (US$81 million) to leave the company, as well as the news from the News1 portal, which said that Jisoo It is Jennie would have created their own individual agencies where they would manage their careers as soloists, and also, that Rosé she would have been the only one in the group to renew her contract with YG, while the other members would be negotiating to promote with the group for six months each year, as well as transferring their solo activities to other companies.
Part of the fandom’s concern was finalized four months after the contracts ended, more precisely, on December 6, when YG confirmed that exclusive contracts for the group’s activities had been signed. Still, the company revealed that the idols’ individual contracts were still under discussion, extending negotiations — and fans’ apprehension — to 2024.
5. FIFTY FIFTY X ATTRAKT
Finally, the legal battle led by FIFTY FIFTY and ATTRAKT couldn’t be left off the list! The group, which went viral with the success of “Cupid”, the title-track of the group’s first single album “The Beginning”, had the spotlight focused on the dispute with the company that managed the group’s career in June 2023 .
It all started after the South Korean agency accused Warner Music Korea of trying to convince the group to leave ATTRAKT. At the time, the record label denied the allegations, but on June 27, ATTRAKT filed criminal charges against Ahn Sung Il, CEO of creative content development group The Givers and producer of “Cupid.” The charges also involved three other individuals.
This was just the tip of the iceberg, as on June 28, all members of the group (Aran, Keena, SaenaIt is Zion) filed a court request to suspend exclusive contracts with ATTRAKT. The following month, there was an attempt at mediation between the group and the agency, which did not reach an agreement, causing the trial process to be resumed.
In August, the Seoul Central District Court denied the quartet’s requests to suspend their contracts, but FIFTY FIFTY immediately appealed the decision.
However, in October, Keena canceled appeal to suspend his exclusive contract with the agency. Even so, Saena, Zion It is Aran they got what they wanted: on October 19, the South Korean company ATTRAKT ended exclusive contracts with the trio.
After that, new information only emerged on November 2, when the company revealed that FIFTY FIFTY will be restructured around Keena and three new members will be recruited to the group.
The most recent chapter of the dispute occurred days before Christmas, on December 19, when ATTRAKT sued Saena, Zion It is Aran.
We have filed civil lawsuits against former FIFTY FIFTY members Saena, Sio and Aran for compensation of damages and penalties for breach of exclusive contracts, Ahn Sung Il and Baek Jin Sil of The Givers for actively engaging in wrongful breach of contracts of exclusivity, and to the parents of the three members for compensation for damages caused by joint illegal activities,” the agency’s statement read.
Source: Recreio
