Check out some of the K-pop groups that have overcome the “7-year curse” and are still active even after their seventh debut anniversary
One of the biggest fears of K-pop fans around the world is disbandment, which is when groups end up disbanding. In many cases, groups end their careers on stage after completing 7 years since their debut, as seen with 2NE1, 4Minute, SISTAR, Miss A and many others who celebrated the date with a farewell single.
Due to this duration that affects so many groups, the term “7-year curse” emerged, which, in fact, is not a supposed supernatural action or misfortune cast upon the groups, but rather, the maximum duration of contracts established between idols and entertainment agencies in South Korea, allowing the members to follow new paths after the agreement is concluded.
Although it is common to see groups disband or members leave the group after 7 years, there are some, formed by female and male idols, that ended up surviving the famous curse. With this in mind, RECREIO put together a list of 5 surviving groups; check it out:
1. EXO
EXO was formed by SM Entertainment and is divided into two units: EXO-K, currently composed of Suho, Baekhyun, Chanyeol, DO, Kai and Sehunresponsible for promoting music in Korean; and EXO-M, where Xiumin, Lay and Chen make up the current voices of Chinese songs.
The group debuted on April 8, 2012 with the single MAMA and this year they completed 12 years of formation. EXO’s most recent comeback took place in July 2023, with the seventh full-album “EXIST”, which was accompanied by a music video for the title track “Cream Soda”.
2. BTS
A group from BIGHIT MUSIC (formerly Big Hit Entertainment), BTS made their debut in the music industry through the mini-album “2 Cool 4 Skool”, and the title song (working song) “No More Dream”, released on June 13, 2013, making the septet formed by Jin, J-Hope, Sucks, V, RM, Jimin and Jungkook a group with 11 years of career.
Currently, with the exception of Jindischarged on June 12 of this year, all members of BTS are fulfilling the mandatory military enlistment for men in South Korea, with them expected to reunite in 2025. Thus, the most recent release of the full set takes place in June 2022 with “Yet To Come (The Most Beautiful Moment)”.
3. TWICE
Formed through the survival program “Sixteen” in 2015, TWICE debuted under JYP Entertainment with nine members: Naeyeon, Jeongyeon, Momo, Sana, Jihyo, Mine, Dahyun, Chaeyeoung and Tzuyu.
On October 20, the noneto will complete 9 years of career. Meanwhile, the group’s most recent comeback was held in February 2024, bringing fans a new mini-album, “With YOU-th”, which has the song “ONE SPARK” as its title track.
4. SEVENTEEN
PLEDIS Entertainment also introduced SEVENTEEN in 2015, but a little before TWICE, on May 26, the date on which fans were able to hear SEVENTEEN’s voices for the first time. S. Coups, The8, Jeonghan, June, Joshua, Hoshi, Wonwoo, Woozi, DK, Mingyu, Seungkwan, Vernon and Dino on several tracks on the mini album “17 Carat”.
With nine years on the road, the group released the mini-album “17 IS RIGHT HERE” in April 2024, which, to date, marks the group’s most recent comeback. Watch the MV for “MAESTRO”, the album’s title track, above!
5. MAMAMOO
From RBW Entertainment, MAMAMOO was formed on June 18, 2014, bringing Solar, Moonbyul, Wheein and Hwasa as members and performers of the debut single “Mr. Ambiguous”. The group completed 10 years, but the most recent return to promotional activities took place in October 2022, with the mini-album “MIC ON”, released with a MV for the title track “ILLELLA”.
Source: Recreio
