LOVELYZ, GFRIEND & More: K-pop Groups Who Couldn't Break the '7-Year Jinx' this 2021 So Far + Artists Who Survived the 'Curse'

On November 1, LOVELYZ joined the roster of K-pop groups GFRIEND, GOT7 and more who failed to break the "7-year jinx" and parted ways with their agency after seven years. On the other hand, SEVENTEEN and SF9 brought delight to their fans after contract renewal with their respective agencies.  

Following the girl group LOVELYZ's disbandment media and fans brought back the "7-year jinx," a "curse" in the K-pop scene. In particular, the seventh year of a K-pop group is their crucial time as this is when disbandments and withdrawals from the group of their companies often happen.

To explain this, the term "7-year jinx" specifically emerged from the idol group's renewal season. According to the celebrity standard contract period set by the Fair Trade Commission, the exclusive contract period between celebrities and agencies is up to seven years.

However, since there are not many groups that have exceeded 7 years, the 7th year to decide whether the group will survive has become a "difficult time."

GFRIEND, GOT7, LOVELYZ: Groups Who Failed to Break the '7-Year Jinx' in 2021

LOVELYZ, GFRIEND & More: K-pop Groups Who Couldn't Break the '7-Year Jinx' this 2021 So Far + Artists Who Survived the 'Curse'
(Photo : Lovelyz (News1))

On November 1, Woollim Entertainment announced LOVELYZ's disbandment as the exclusive contract of the members will expire this month. While BabySoul renewed her contract, the rest of the members decided to depart from the company and start their own careers.

This year, LOVELYZ is the third team that couldn't survive the "curse." In January, GOT7 and GFRIEND in May also left in search of a new nest after failing to overcome the "seven-year curse."

LOVELYZ, GFRIEND & More: K-pop Groups Who Couldn't Break the '7-Year Jinx' this 2021 So Far + Artists Who Survived the 'Curse'
(Photo : GOT7 (News1))

GOT7, which debuted in 2014, received global love for their hit tracks "Lullaby" and "Hard Carry." However, all members shook the K-pop world with their announcement to leave JYP Entertainment. Now, they are focusing on their solo careers as singers and actors.

Although they didn't disband, there are concerns if how they will be able to continue activities as a group given their different agencies now.

ALSO READ: These 6 Idol Groups Defeated The Dreadful 7-Year Curse in K-pop Industry

LOVELYZ, GFRIEND & More: K-pop Groups Who Couldn't Break the '7-Year Jinx' this 2021 So Far + Artists Who Survived the 'Curse'
(Photo : GFRIEND (News1))

Furthermore, GFRIEND, which debuted in 2015, gained popularity with "Me Gustas Tu" and "Rough," but failed to renew their contract. Members Yerin and Sowon turned into actresses and Yuju became a solo singer, while Eunha, SinB, and Umji formed a group to start anew.

SEVENTEEN, MAMAMOO, SF9: K-pop Groups Who Survived the '7-Year Curse'

Meanwhile, there are also K-pop groups including MAMAMOO, SEVENTEEN and SF9 who beat the "curse."

LOVELYZ, GFRIEND & More: K-pop Groups Who Couldn't Break the '7-Year Jinx' this 2021 So Far + Artists Who Survived the 'Curse'
(Photo : SEVENTEEN (News1))

In July, all 13 members of SEVENTEEN renewed their contracts early one year before the expiration of the contract period with their agency Pledis Entertainment. It is rare to renew a contract even before the contract period approaches.

In the same month, SF9 released its new album "Turn Over," saying, "The members said they still had what they wanted to achieve," adding that all of them succeeded in renewing their contracts.

LOVELYZ, GFRIEND & More: K-pop Groups Who Couldn't Break the '7-Year Jinx' this 2021 So Far + Artists Who Survived the 'Curse'
(Photo : MAMAMOO (News1))

In August, MAMAMOO also survived the "curse" after tricking the "devil." Although MAMAMOO Wheein left RBW, she signed an extension agreement on some activities despite her transfer to Ravi's THE L1VE and will cooperate with MAMAMOO Solar, Hwasa and Moonbyul who renewed contract in RBW for their future concert activities.

In addition to MAMAMOO, WINNER also renewed their contract with YG Entertainment, while LABOUM signed in a new agency as a group last September.

Now, fans are focused if Red Velvet, TWICE and BLACKPINK will also beat the jinx, given how they are considered as the Top 3 girl groups in the K-pop industry.

What do you think?

READ MORE HERE: Red Velvet, WINNER, & More: These K-pop Groups May or May Not Break the 'Seven-Year Curse' This 2021

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Written by Eunice Dawson

Tags
GFRIEND
lovelyz
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seventeen
MAMAMOO
Red Velvet
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