2013 seems to be the year where artists try their hand at the solo career. Makes you wonder why this is becoming a recent trend. Is Solo the pathway to success for the group or is it solely for the artist being thrust into the solo spotlight that they won't have to share?

One of the most successful solo transitions in my opinion is Bom from 2NE1 and HyunA from 4minute. There are also the JYJ boys who have released records, Jaejoong and his unique, heavy guitar Japanese-inspired releases as well as Junsu's soft, sensual take. These artists have come from groups that have already made a name for themselves so why do they have to go solo?

Here is what I think; companies that make it a point to place their bands in a solo position eventually like YG, they would like to express how their artists have nothing to hide. Big Bang had to endure solo careers one by one, and though some were more successful than the others, none of them were total flops. In 2NE1, apart from Minzy, all of the members have debuted as a solo act, which by the way I think is bogus because Minzy has a lot to offer as a talent and is easily one of the most charismatic stage performers in that company, and possibly in all of Kpop. But that's a story for another day.

YG is doing things right. I can't deny how this strategy works for everyone. How? When a member from a well-ranked and renowned Kpop group debuts solo and makes it in the big leagues (i.e. T.O.P., GD) it's as though YG is stating that with their artists, they have nothing to hide. Their talent doesn't need a package to float with they can do fine on their own. And not only does this provide a solid reputation for the solo artists and more recognition for the group, it also earns the company more money. Plus, the fans are pleased. So everybody wins.

What about artists that are about to do it backwards? Lim Kim was originally meant to debut as a duo with a fellow artist Do Dae Yoon. She is yet to debut in the duo, and time can only tell if this project will prove to be an advantage in her career. I personally think that either way, she's set in the Kpop industry.  There are also artists who have gone solo permanently, like Henry from Super Junior and Areum who had recently just been added to T-ARA. There are artists who have been associated in an established group, although one is more renowned than the other.

Groups like SHINee who have never explored a solo debut have experimented with solo stages during their concerts where each member is allowed a performance of their choice. Many of the members have shown off what they are capable of through this, and though it has not resulted in a solo debut just yet, obviously it's in the cards for them.

I think that the point of solo debuts is to show how these artists are carved out and trained and how they need not to hide in the shadow of their fellow members. I think the artist, the company, and the fans benefit from it, so I can't say that it hurts their career in anyway, even when it doesn't go as intended.