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| K-pop boy group ATEEZ / Courtesy of KQ Entertainment |
By Dong Sun-hwa
The K-pop industry has been largely dominated by the so-called "Big 4" entertainment companies ― SM, YG, JYP and HYBE ― which represent some of the most bankable stars, like BTS, NCT and BLACKPINK. Their massive clout is most visible in the sales of physical albums, with the singers from these four labels accounting for 60.9 percent of total sales in 2021, according to sales tracker Gaon Chart.
It obviously is not an easy environment to play in, but there are quite a few small- and mid-sized companies that are making breakthroughs by launching up-and-coming groups to spearhead the next generation of K-pop. Among them are KQ Entertainment and High-Up Entertainment, which house boy band ATEEZ and girl group STAYC, respectively.
KQ Entertainment was formerly known as Seven Seasons, but it changed its name in 2016. It currently runs two sub-labels ― Seven Seasons and KQ Produce. The former manages K-pop act Block B, while the latter represents singer-songwriters like Eden and Maddox. In 2018, KQ debuted ATEEZ, an eight-piece act consisting of Hongjoong, Seonghwa, Yunho, Yeosang, San, Mingi, Wooyoung and Jongho. Numerous K-pop experts point out that the company employed a smart tactic by actively promoting it in the international markets from the beginning, allowing it to build a strong global fanbase.
The group's talent as entertainers has fueled its growth as well. It took home the "Worldwide Fans' Choice" award at the 2019 Mnet ASIAN MUSIC AWARDS (MAMA) shortly after its debut, and recently wrapped up a U.S. tour titled, "THE FELLOWSHIP : BEGINNING OF THE END," with success, drawing some 70,000 audience members.
"Following ATEEZ's U.S. tour, some 100,000 people have newly joined the group's official fan community," KQ said in a statement.
The octet is the only group not represented by the Big 4, which still secured a spot on Gaon's top 20 album sales chart last year. It ranked 18th with its September release, "ZERO : FEVER Part. 3," selling more than 700,000 copies.
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| K-pop girl group STAYC / Courtesy of High-Up Entertainment |
STAYC, comprised of Sumin, Sieun, Isa, Seeun, Yoon and J, is the first girl group created by High-Up. Since its debut with the track, "So Bad," in 2020, the six-piece act has swept multiple awards including the Rookie of the Year award at the 2022 Golden Disc Awards.
Quality songs composed by Black Eyed Pilseung are known to have played a vital role in raising STAYC's profile. Shortly after its debut, the group rose to stardom with the bubbly "ASAP." Its latest tune, "STEREOTYPE," was another success, which topped multiple music streaming charts soon after its release. It only took 10 months for STAYC to pull off this feat.
On Monday, the six-piece act is set to put out its second EP, "YOUNG-LUV.COM."
"STAYC will expand its presence by revealing its powerful and daring sides," High-Up said.
