TS Entertainment, Dream Tea Entertainment, and Starship X are the up and coming agencies, and the Big 3 better watch out!

To the public, these agency names might be unfamiliar. After all, SM Entertainment, YG Entertainment, and JYP Entertainment aren't labeled the Big 3 for nothing. However, these 3 mid-sized companies TS Entertainment, Dream Tea Entertainment, and Starship X have captivated the music industry in January and February. Not only that, some are even looking to debut rookie groups.

How big was the impact in January and February?

Dream Tea Entertainment kicked off 2014 with Girl's Day. They released their new song "Something" on January 3rd. In just 2 days of its release, the song recorded 1.5 million views on YouTube. In just 2 weeks of their comeback, Girl's Day took the number 1 spot on various music programs. Even earlier this month, on February 2nd, they won number 1 on SBS "Inkigayo", a whopping one month after the song's release.

TS Entertainment's 6-member group B.A.P took control of the music market as well. They released their 1st full length album First Sensibility on February 3rd, which rose to the top of daily charts that very same day. Likewise, they topped the weekly Hanteo Charts on the 10th. Their fame didn't stop there. They took their first ever wins on broadcast music programs, on KBS2's "Music Bank" on the 14th and on SBS' "Inkigayo" on the 16th, with their title song "1004 (Angel)".

Starship X is piping hot, also. SISTAR's Soyou and JungGiGo's duet "Some" was released on February 7th. It quickly rose to the number 1 spot on various music charts, where it stayed. Even on the 23rd, a whole 17 days later, it was still keeping its number 1 spot on several music charts. Their duet also took the number 1 spot on Mnet's "M! Countdown", "Music Bank", "Show! Music Core", and "Inkigayo".

What toll are they taking on the Big 3?

These mid-sized companies were successful thanks to their music.

When big companies such as SM, YG, and JYP release a new song, they spend tons of money on marketing. The music industry is moving from online sound files to hard copy albums. The one week following a new release is said to strongly influence the outcome of its success. In this aspect, smaller companies are at a great disadvantage, especially since their funds don't compare.

Even still, Girl's Day, B.A.P, and Soyou X JungGiGo's new songs have been receiving the public's love for a long time, and even reached the top of various music charts. They are becoming more and more popular as time passes, even more than the day of its first release. That's because the songs are addictively good, and the public continues to listen to them on an infinite loop.

Each agency demonstrated their ability to excel with its choice of music.

Girl's Day's agency's main representative, public relations director, and management director all have to agree on a title song before it can be released. Initially "Something" wasn't a title song, but these three specifically chose it.

Soyou & Junggigo's "Some" made a big hit thanks to the agency's plans. Junggigo had previously been acknowledged as one of the best featured artists, but he was still unfamiliar to the public. Starship X decided to use popular SISTAR member Soyou as a duet partner, and showcased a fresh new duet.

B.A.P's transformation really worked for them with this comeback. Their title song "1004 (Angel)" is completely different from their usual warrior image. The song is an acoustic dance song with a house beat and charming guitar melody line. The members shed their fierce warrior image and came back with a dandy, stylish, and sensitive image in order to appeal to female fans in their 20s and 30s.

This isn't all. Countdown to rookie debuts!

TS Entertainment, Dream Tea Entertainment, and Starship X will be watched especially closely this year because it seems like they have something big in the works.

In the music industry, once a group's one song starts to become popular, their other songs start to catch fire as well. Since this has been the case in the past, SM, YG, and JYP will have to watch out. These mid-sized companies have not only had a successful first 2 months, but they'll also be debuting some rookie groups this year as well.

Dream Tea Entertainment's never debuted a boy idol group before, but that's what's waiting for them in 2014. The company's Na Sang Chun stated, "We are planning for a debut later on in the year. The group will be composed of members in their 20s, and there will be at least 5 members. Just like we successfully did with Girl's Day, we plan to appeal to the public with their music first."

TS Entertainment already as a girl group called SECRET, but they're preparing for a 7-member girl group with a different image. It's been revealed that the new members will be even younger than SECRET. Word has it that they're already done with all preparations, and are awaiting their official debut.

Starship X is preparing a great boy rookie group with its parent company Starship Entertainment. The company's already been acknowledged for their production talent through SISTAR and K.Will, and there's great interest as to what kind of concept this idol group will come out with.