Forgotten K-pop Groups: Groups That Released One or Two Songs and Dispersed

The K-pop industry is notorious for its fiercely competitive environment, where countless groups emerge with brief careers, releasing just one or two songs before disbanding or fading into obscurity. This article delves into several notable examples of such groups, highlighting the challenges and realities of succeeding in South Korea's vibrant music scene.

Brief Overview of Key Groups

Here are a few groups that have left an indelible mark on K-pop history, despite their limited discographies:

B.I.G Boys In Groove

B.I.G Boys In Groove debuted in 2014 with the song LADIES CODE. Although they released more than just these two songs, a tragic accident involving some members cut their initial success short. The group continued to release a few more tracks but could not regain their earlier momentum.

EvoL, Unicorn, Gangkiz, KissCry, BBde Girl, and LC9

Several other groups, such as EvoL, Unicorn, Gangkiz, KissCry, BBde Girl, and LC9, started with great promise but succumbed to the challenges of the music industry. Here are brief summaries of their journeys:

EvoL

EvoL was a 5-member group that debuted in 2012. The group was disbanded in 2015 due to contract terminations and changes in the entertainment companies. The membership consisted of Jucy, Saay, Hayana, Yull, and J-Da. During the summer of 2015, rumors circulated about Saay leaving the group, while Yull, Hayana, and J-Da had their contracts unexpectedly terminated even before their contract with Stardom expired.

Unicorn

Unicorn was a 5-member group that debuted in 2017 with the song B.O.Y Best of You. They released their debut single TST Top Secret later that year. In 2016, Winnie left the group due to health issues. Later that year, they released a teaser for a comeback single titled Blink Blink, followed by the full music video and a second mini-album, Unicorn Plus / The Brand New Label. On September 5, 2017, group member Rumi announced the disbandment of Unicorn via Instagram.

Gangkiz

Gangkiz was a 7-member group that officially debuted in 2012 with the album We Became Gang. They then released a repackaged mini-album titled MAMA on June 26, 2012. By 2014, most of the original lineup had quietly withdrawn from the group, leaving only Esther and Hyeji. By 2016, all members' social media accounts had become inactive, and the group’s official fan café was shut down.

KissCry

KissCry debuted in 2014 with the digital single Domino Game. Their second single, Revenge, marked their first and last comeback. On September 5, 2015, the company announced that Haena had left the group after her contract expired and she didn't want to renew it.

BBde Girl

BBde Girl consisted of six members: Sonhana, Li-V, Christine, E-Sea, Lyulin, and Nana. They released two albums: Messing Around on September 20, 2012, and Halo on June 12, 2013. Not much information is available about this group beyond these two albums.

LC9

LC9 was a 6-member group that debuted on May 9, 2013, with their single MaMa Beat. The group's label announced their disbandment in January 2016 since their contract with Stardom hadn't been renewed by December 2015. Members included Rasa, J-Hyo, King, Jun, and AO, who left the group to pursue studies.

MyB

MyB was a six-member group that debuted on August 25, 2015, with their single My Oh My. Hayoon was added to the group in 2016 for their second single comeback Ddoddo. However, Hayoon left the group on September 5, 2017, marking the end of their brief existence.

Conclusion and Reflection

These examples highlight the competitive and often unforgiving nature of the K-pop industry. Despite the hype and fan support that these groups may have received during their debuts, many found it challenging to maintain their footprint in the music scene. The reasons for their disbandment range from contract disputes to health issues and personal choices. This article serves as a reminder that longevity in the K-pop world is not guaranteed, no matter how promising a debut may seem.

Related Terms

Keyword1: K-pop
Keyword2: Disbanded Groups
Keyword3: Indie K-pop