These K-Pop Groups Disbanded Without Any Music Show Win
Despite how these groups saw moderate success and had their own fan bases, they were unable to achieve their breakthrough and disbanded without any music show win.
1. UNI.T
UNI.T was a girl group formed by the KBS survival show "The Unit" that consisted of nine members, all who came from already debuted girl groups. They debuted on May 18, 2018. The group released two EPs and promoted their debut and last song, but never won a music show award.
2. UNB
UNB was a boy group that was also formed by the KBS survival show "The Unit" that also consisted of nine members. Like UNI.T, all the members had debuted in boy groups in the past. They two also had two EPs released and had three singles, but the group never won a music show win.
3. PRISTIN
PRISTIN was a ten-member girl group under Pledis Entertainment. Seven of the ten members had previously appeared on Mnet's "Produce 101", with Nayoung and Kyulkyung making the finale and debuting in the group I.O.I. The group was known for writing and composing their own music and was moderately successful. In MAMA 2017, the group had even won the "Best New Female Artist Award". In 2018, they debuted the sub-unit PRISTIN V.
Despite the success, they disbanded in 2019 with only one comeback.
4. The Ark
Many know The Ark as the group that was gone too soon. Prior to their debut, they already had some recognition as a girl group that had powerful dance moves and strong hip-hop influences. BTS had even reacted to their dance cover of "Boy In Luv". They debuted in April 2015 under Music K Entertainment and disbanded without a comeback nor a music show win. Some say it's because of their main vocalist contracting vocal nodules that affected her singing, but others say the company wanted them to have a flashier concept that they didn't agree with.
5. MADTOWN
MADTOWN was a boy group under J. Tune Camp that debuted back in 2014. The group had seven members, with two members (Moos and Buffy) originally debuted in the hip-hop duo Pro C in 2013. The group had three EPs released and one single album before disbanding with no music show win.
6. CocoSori
CocoSori was a duo with members Coco and Sori that debuted in January 2016. The group was known for their unique concepts that drew inspiration from J-Pop, and their concepts were often compared to Orange Caramel's concepts. In 2019, the duo disbanded citing internal conflicts with member Coco.
7. SPICA
SPICA was a girl group formed by B2M Entertainment in 2012. The group saw moderate success and even made their debut in the United Statesl Sadly, their popularity wasn't enough to get them a music show win, and the group disbanded in 2017.
8. BESTIE
BESTIE debuted in 2013 under the company YNB Entertainment as four-member girl group. The group was known for having three former EXID members during their debut. They too saw moderate success and had the potential to become a top girl group. However, the group's last activity together was in December 2016 and they disbanded in September 2018 after a long hiatus. They were never able to bag a music show win.
9. FIESTAR
FIESTAR was a girl group formed by Kakao M that debuted in 2012. Prior to their debut, they released a duet with IU called "Sea of Moonlight", and the track was a domestic success, entering the top ten of the Gaon Chart, thus earning them a following even before their debut. They saw moderate success while promoting but received major backlash in 2014 for their song "One More", that was deemed inappropriate for audience due to the risqué lyrics. They never seemed to bounce back and disbanded in 2018 following contract expiration.
10. Stellar
Stellar was a girl group that debuted in 2011 under The Entertainment Pascal. Prior to their dbeut, they attracted attention for having initially been produced by Eric Mun of Shinhwa. Despite this, the group gained notoriety in 2014 for adopting a more provocative concept. Following unsuccessful comebacks and constant member additions and departures, the group disbanded in 2018.
11. RAINBOW
RAINBOW was a girl group that debuted in 2009 under DSP Media. Despite the numerous musical releases, fans say they were unable to reach commercial success due to the constant concept changes. When they were starting to pick up momentum with "Whoo" in 2016, they disbanded that same year due to their contracts expiring. In 2019, the group reformed for their tenth anniversary, but have not had activities since.
12. Hello Venus
Hello Venus was a girl group formed by Tricell Media - but was originally a joint venture between Pledis Entertainment and Fantagio - in 2012. In 2014, Pledis and Fantagio ended their joint venture, with two members leaving the group and staying with Pledis and the other four continuing as a group under Fantagio with two additional members. Despite notable songs such as like "Sticky Sticky" and "Wiggle Wiggle", the group disbanded in May of 2019 following contracts expiration.
13. Dal Shabet
Dal Shabet was a girl group created by E-Tribe under Happy Face Entertainment that debuted in 2011. Originally six members, Viki left the group in 2012 and was replaced by Wohee. During their career, Dal Shabet released one studio album and ten EPs and have had numerous singles chart at the top twenty of the Gaon Digital Chart. Despite that, members started leaving the group and the company one by one and was basically disbanded despite Happy Face saying that "future activities will be discussed". They reunited in 2019 but have had no activities since October of that year.
14. 9Muses
9Muses was a girl group formed by Star Empire Entertainment in 2010 and were known notably for their admissions and graduation concept. This concept is the reason why they had difficulties gaining a stable fan base, according to some fans. With the constant lineup changes, it was hard for listeners to be loyal. They disbanded in February 2019.
