After looking at Okay-pop’s largest businesses, I’d like to show my consideration to the smaller (however nonetheless necessary) gamers within the Okay-pop recreation, three at a time.
Disclaimer: As with my write-ups on Okay-Pop’s largest businesses, that is written from an outsider’s perspective. I’m not aware about any business-related monetary info past what some other fan would know. The aim of those articles is to look at how properly these businesses are serving their artists and the final Okay-pop fan-base.
THE BLACK LABEL
That is the primary yr I’ve included The Black Label as their very own entity on this characteristic, and for good purpose. They’ve had fairly a 2025. First off, the debut of ALLDAY PROJECT went higher than anybody may have anticipated, with their first single Well-known standing as one of many yr’s largest chart hits. There’s definitely been some controversy round them, however that solely appears to extend the general public’s curiosity. And well, the company has given the group a fast comeback with a brand new mini album simply across the nook.
MEOVV’s discography has developed properly this yr. I can’t say I utterly vibed with their debut, however I’ve loved all their comebacks in 2025 and the group appears to be steadily gaining reputation. The Black Label’s worldwide prospects are additionally robust, with BLACKPINK’s Rosé persevering with to be a marquee star world wide regardless of releasing little or no new music this yr. APT continues to dominate charts over a yr after its launch.
Sadly, it nonetheless doesn’t seem to be the company is aware of what to do with Jeon Somi. She ceaselessly will get their weakest materials and comebacks are too rare.
A-
CUBE ENTERTAINMENT
Dice’s roster is as small because it’s even been, with solely i-dle and NOWZ presently energetic. Humorous sufficient, each teams went by a re-brand this yr.
I-dle proceed to be extremely common, although 2025 didn’t really feel like a watershed yr for them. They’re nonetheless within the million-sellers membership with their newest mini album, but its promoted songs didn’t expend the charts the best way they normally do. As a substitute, many of the members spent their yr engaged in solo tasks. These all bought comparatively properly, however didn’t really feel like a significant a part of the Okay-pop dialog.
Dice was very good to re-brand These days after a less-than-stunning debut yr. For me, 2025 felt like their true debut with a noticeable rise in high quality and far stronger gross sales. I went from being utterly disinterested to a loyal fan, and that’s not straightforward to do. It simply goes to point out that if you happen to spend money on high quality music you’ll encourage a bigger fanbase.
B-
FNC ENTERTAINMENT
With every passing yr, FNC Leisure is reclaiming their roots as an company that caters primarily to rock bands. One other new one (AxMxP) debuted this yr, becoming a member of FTIsland, CNBLUE and N.Flying on FNC’s roster. These bands typically make rare comebacks and none made many waves in 2025. AxMxP appear promising, however we’ll see if they will differentiate themselves from their company seniors.
On the dance pop / hip-hop facet of issues, P1Harmony continued to chug alongside because the company’s hottest act of the second. I discovered their 2025 output fairly lackluster (and generally downright unhealthy), however they’re clearly connecting with followers. Their English-language album appeared to come back and go along with no fanfare, although.
In the meantime, SF9 barely promoted this yr and the company nonetheless has no thought what to do with AMPERS&ONE, giving them essentially the most generic boy group materials potential. Their gross sales are rising a bit, although.
C-
