It’s that point of yr once more! Whereas December is crammed with year-end countdowns, I like to have a look again at a few of Okay-pop’s greatest businesses throughout November. Earlier than studying (particularly should you’re new to the weblog), it’s useful to know that my grading focuses most closely on music releases and the way comebacks are managed and delivered to followers. Scandals and non-musical components can definitely influence an company’s grade, however the greatest standards will at all times be the music itself. Following SM Leisure, HYBE Company, and YG Leisure‘s evaluation, it’s time to dive into JYP Leisure.
As typical, the ideas under are my very own and aren’t aware of any insider data. There shall be loads of subjective critique.
The Good
JYP Leisure stays one of the crucial sprawling businesses in Okay-pop and – not like HYBE – they’ve carried out all this beneath their very own umbrella slightly than home distinct subsidiaries. They do accomplice with a couple of smaller businesses (hiya, (ALL)HOURS!), however this makes up a really small a part of their total roster. Actually, it’s simply spectacular what number of acts are continuously releasing music beneath JYP.
A lot of JYP’s artists are on the newer aspect, although they solely had one debut in 2025. KickFlip kicked off the yr with their first mini album and have gone on to launch a complete of three albums. I assumed their begin was a bit tough, however they’ve constantly bettered their fashion (and gross sales) with every launch. They haven’t had the sort of explosive debut yr we’ve seen from different latest rookies, however I like how their sound is totally different than different acts on JYP’s roster.
Final yr, I used to be far much less enthusiastic about NEXZ’s debut, however they’ve actually received me over this yr. It appears like JYP has lastly discovered a distinct segment for them and their music is getting higher and higher.
Shifting to the company’s powerhouses, it’s exhausting to overstate the worldwide success of Stray Children and the Korean success of DAY6. The company has performed the lengthy recreation with each of those acts and it’s actually paid off. In their very own manner, each really feel like leaders within the business and are clearly big money-makers for JYP.
Onto the company’s lady teams, we had three generations energetic this yr. The youngest (Korean) act is NMIXX and so they’ve seen main progress this yr. Previous to 2025, it appeared that their gross sales may need hit a peak. Nonetheless, their standing with the general public solely improved. This resulted of their first chart-topping mega-hit final month with Blue Valentine. The company hasn’t had a chart hit this dominant in years and the truth that it’s truly an incredible music is simply icing on the cake.
ITZY proceed to dominate as a world powerhouse. Although gross sales have slowed since their 2022-23 peak, they’re a well known entity now with a robust picture and elegance. In addition they launched a handful of nice songs this yr. In the meantime, Twice celebrated their tenth anniversary with new materials in each Korea and Japan alongside many notable actions (together with the achievement of being the primary Okay-pop lady group to headline Lollapalooza). They’re nonetheless a number one power ten years into their profession.
After some sonic rising pains, rock band Xdinary Heroes continued to search out their area of interest this yr. They’re seeing gradual however regular progress in gross sales and really feel like an more and more vital piece in JYP’s total tapestry.
The company appeared to place much less give attention to world territories this yr, however Japanese lady group NiziU launched materials in each Japan and Korea, together with a full album simply this week. They proceed to carry out nicely, particularly of their dwelling nation. In the meantime, American lady group VCHA’s rebrand into Girlset holds potential however it’s too early to inform the place that may lead.
General, JYP Leisure noticed a strong yr of progress with one big hit and almost all of its artists performing nicely with their respective fanbases. On one other notice, the company’s latest stint on The Recreation Caterers showcased the household feeling between these artists. Of all of the Okay-pop firms, it actually does seem to be the nicest one to work for.
The Unhealthy
In a manner, you possibly can nearly minimize 2025 in half with regards to JYP releases. The primary few months have been fairly tough, with few incredible songs and a normal lack of buzz across the company. Fortunately, JYP pulled all of it collectively about midway by means of the yr and ended 2025 very robust.
Whereas the company is starting to differentiate its acts from one another, there’s nonetheless plenty of crossover. With so many energetic artists selling, it may be troublesome to inform one from one other. The company closely depends on outsourced songs. I’d like to see them put money into some visionary in-house composers that may give every of their artists a definite voice. JYP himself doesn’t write many songs anymore, however again when he did his inventive contact was apparent. I miss this sense of persona. Typically, JYP’s output can really feel fairly company.
JYP went by means of a micro-boom these previous few years, debuting artist after artist. They’ve a strong line-up now and I’d hope to see them deepen these discographies slightly than debuting new acts. As NMIXX’s 2025 success proves, it might usually take years for an act to search out their signature hit. I hope JYP is dedicated to doing this for newer acts like KickFlip and NEXZ, however I can’t assist however really feel that generally sure artists are given extra consideration than others.
JYP usually has an “if it ain’t broke, don’t repair it” strategy to its artists that may hinder wanted change. It’s exhausting to argue with success, however for me the company’s greatest artists are literally its least thrilling. In numerous methods, each Stray Children and DAY6 appear to be caught in a loop of releasing related materials again and again when – at this level of their careers – they could possibly be branching out and would in all probability have the fan help to take action. Provided that each of those teams compose their very own music, this sameness is smart. Nonetheless, I’d love to listen to how every would sound if paired with a brand new, dynamic government producer for a whole challenge. Typically these switch-ups can carry out revelatory sides of the artists and I believe each acts have room for this experimentation.
What I’d prefer to see in 2026:
- Agency up the recognition and musical voice of the company’s newer acts
- Make the most of NMIXX’s success and proceed giving them robust materials
- Put money into in-house producers with distinct sounds
- No extra new debuts for a short while (however possibly one other JYP-hosted survival sequence?)
Earlier years: 2024 // 2023 // 2022 // 2021 // 2020 // 2019 // 2018 // 2017 // 2016
