After looking at Ok-pop’s largest companies, I’d like to show my consideration to the smaller (however nonetheless necessary) gamers within the Ok-pop recreation, three at a time.
Disclaimer: As with my write-ups on Ok-Pop’s largest companies, that is written from an outsider’s perspective. I’m not aware about any business-related monetary data past what another fan would know. The aim of those articles is to look at how nicely these companies are serving their artists and the final Ok-pop fan-base.
KQ ENTERTAINMENT
KQ proceed to maintain issues small, specializing in solely two teams. ATEEZ stay their marquee act and the blokes had a busy yr. They toured extensively, renewed their contracts and launched each Korean and Japanese music. And extra importantly for me, this music marked an upward flip in high quality. For the primary time in awhile, it felt like they have been stretching their sound a bit by taking part in with totally different genres. I loved their output greater than I’ve in years, although it appears as if gross sales slipped somewhat in comparison with prior years.
In the meantime, xikers proceed to see average development, although it may not be occurring as shortly as KQ would need. They’re promoted nicely, even when I really feel that the company continues to select the mistaken tracks for promotion nearly each time. For me, their Japanese single Up All Evening was an enormous summer time spotlight and paints a promising street ahead for them.
B
MYSTIC STORY
Mystic Story continues to be primarily an actors’ company, however they’ve actually dipped their ft into the idol world over the previous few years. Other than their established rock bands, Lucy is probably the most senior idol (-esque?) group from the company. They operated as a trio this yr, which felt somewhat unusual. For me, their sound is in want of some new concepts, however they proceed to achieve success inside their area of interest.
Woman group Billlie have been inactive this yr, although two of its members had a sub-unit launch throughout the first half of the yr. I don’t know what Mystic’s plans are for this group, however they type of really feel deserted at this level. Lengthy hiatuses like this are harmful for mid-to-low-tier idol acts.
Most of Mystic’s promotion this yr went to new boy group ARrC. The blokes launched three comebacks in 2025. Their music boasts some distinctive components however they’re getting misplaced within the crowd of youthful boy teams and proceed to wrestle with gross sales. I’m undecided what the company can do to show this round, however they should do one thing.
C-
RBW (RAINBOW BRIDGE WORLD)
Ooh, this one’s irritating. Over time, RBW has subsumed each WM Leisure and DSP Media and has not completed nicely by both of them. Nonetheless, I’ll get to that later.
First, let’s take a look at the company’s personal artists. It was a tough yr, to place it mildly. Marquee group Mamamoo proceed to be inactive and the members who achieved probably the most 2025 success (ie: Hwasa) aren’t even a part of RBW anymore. In the meantime, ONEUS launched a pair of albums that made little noise and noticed dwindling gross sales in comparison with their industrial peak. ONEWE proceed to churn out materials with steadily rising (but nonetheless modest) gross sales. Then we’ve acquired Purple Kiss, who disbanded earlier than their preliminary seven years had even handed. That occurs fairly hardly ever in Ok-pop and factors towards massive points inside RBW.
Worse but, RBW proceed to empty creativity (and perhaps even sources?) from their subsidiary companies. They messed round with ONF’s signature sound and producers, interrupting a promised two-part album sequence with a stopgap launch. Basically mendacity to your followers just isn’t look. In the meantime, new lady group USPEER debuted within the spring and haven’t launched something since. They’ll be simply forgotten with out higher promotions. Veteran artists B1A4 and Oh My Woman have been just about inactive this yr minus one digital single.
Issues weren’t any higher over at RBW’s different subsidiary DSP Media. DSP has lengthy had a pale presence within the business since their heyday over a decade in the past, however they actually really feel like they’re operating on fumes now. What little buzz KARD nonetheless had as a co-ed group feels prefer it has been usurped by ALLDAY PROJECT, whereas Younger Posse proceed to cater to their fanbase with out shifting a lot outdoors of that.
D-
