[TOP초점] Mamamoo, all members are about to renew their contract… The changed direction of an idol exclusive contract seen in the case of GOT7-Reporter Chang-gyu Lee

[이창규 기자] As the progress of the renewal of the group MAMAMOO is revealed, interest in other idol groups that have entered the current renewal season is also increasing.

On the 22nd, Mamamoo’s management company RBW said, “We are discussing renewal of contracts based on mutual trust with the Mamamoo members.” We were talking, but there were many speculative rumors and inquiries, so we decided to officially disclose the progress.”

According to them, the current contract between Solar and Moonbyul has been renewed, and it is reported that Wheein and Hwasa are exchanging positive opinions. Therefore, fans are expecting that all Mamamoo members will renew their contract.

Mamamoo, who debuted with the single’Don’t be happy’ in 2014, has earned the modifier’Mom Hear Mommu’ (Mamamoo that believes and listens) with his unrivaled singing skills and exceptional performance.

Since then, it has released many hit songs such as’Piano Man’,’Um Oh Aye’,’What Are You Is’,’Decalcomani’,’Starry Night’,’HIP’,’Dingardinga’, and became a representative K-pop girl group. Grew up.

As the progress of their renewal is revealed, interest is also focused on the renewal status of the idol groups that debuted in 2014. First of all, GOT7, where the contract renewal was discussed first, left the agency without having all members renewed contracts with JYP Entertainment. Initially, one or two members showed their intention to renew the contract, but it was reported that negotiations were broken as they showed that they should be a team.

In addition, it is estimated that AKMU, WINNER, Red Velvet, and Lovelyz have entered the renewal season. In general, exclusive contracts for 7 years are made, because they are all teams that debuted in 2014. However, in the case of Winner, since Kim Jin-woo and Lee Seung-hoon are serving in the military, there is a possibility that the contract period will naturally be extended.

Until now, only two teams have shown movements related to renewal, but they are clearly contrasting with the previous generation of idols. It is that they try not to break the team composition.

In the case of the first-generation idols who made their debut in the past, they could not maintain the team as they were due to differences of opinions or disputes with the agency, and the members took steps to withdraw or finally disband. This stance continued until recently, and even if GOT7 found different agencies, it attracted attention by expressing the opinion that it should act as a team.

Of course, GOT7 is not the first to make such a move. In the case of 2PM, even though Taecyeon moved his agency, it was reported that JYP would take over 2PM-related work, and it was confirmed that he would make a comeback as a whole after Junho was discharged in March. HIGHLIGHT is a case in which they set up their own agency and maintained their own team.

In the girl group, EXID scattered all of the members and got a reaction that it was a de facto dissolution, but it also showed appearances such as showing the stage for a while as a whole.

When first-generation idols show their activity as a whole (HOT) for a while or continue their activities by uniting them again (SECKIES), it proves that idols are the most brilliant when they are in a team. That is why the current idol groups have been pursuing the direction of maintaining the team as much as possible rather than the extreme method of dissolution.