A recent wave of disbandments and activity suspensions among K-pop girl groups with several years in the industry has left fans disheartened.
On August 4, RBW announced in a statement that PURPLE KISS will conclude group activities in November. “Both the company and the members have long discussed how to envision the future. With deep respect for each other’s opinions and support for one another’s dreams, we reached a single conclusion,” the agency said. While group activities will end, planned schedules will proceed as announced, including an English-language album at the end of August, promotions in Japan, a North American tour, and a final concert in Korea.
The news shocked K-pop fans, as PURPLE KISS had earned recognition for both talent and performance. Since their official debut in 2021, they have released tracks such as ‘Ponzona’, ‘Zombie’, ‘memeM’, and ‘7HEAVEN’. Three members had already gained attention through survival shows, while others were widely acknowledged for their skills. Consistently releasing more than two singles or albums annually, they had most recently dropped the single ‘I Miss My…’ in July, making the sudden disbandment even more surprising.
Earlier this year, a similar case occurred with Weeekly. In February, IST Entertainment revealed that, after long discussions, they had mutually agreed with the members to terminate their contracts, effectively ending group activities. Debuting in June 2020 with ‘Tag Me’, Weeekly swept rookie awards at major year-end award shows and later rose to fame with ‘After School’, followed by songs like ‘Broom Broom’ and ‘Holiday Party’. In 2024, they completed their first nine-city North American tour, but despite their active schedule, the group ultimately could not overcome challenges and disbanded.
EVERGLOW, which debuted in 2019, has not disbanded but is on an indefinite hiatus after their contract with Yuehua Entertainment ended in June. Known for powerful performances on hits such as ‘Bon Bon Chocolat’, ‘Adios’, ‘DUN DUN’, and ‘La Di Da’, the group’s six-year run came to a halt, though the members emphasized they are not officially disbanding.
Industry insiders point to a combination of rising production costs and reduced investment as key factors. One source explained, “After a series of tampering scandals, many investors have withdrawn from the entertainment sector, and distributors have become cautious. With funding drying up, the overall K-pop market has contracted.”
Another insider noted that idol group production costs—covering everything from music videos to styling and promotions—have risen sharply. “Even if it’s burdensome, agencies feel they must invest heavily to remain competitive. As groups gain more years of experience, expenses accumulate, and if profits don’t follow, it becomes harder to justify keeping the group active. Investors also hesitate to keep funding idols who aren’t generating returns. It’s a vicious cycle, and the situation will likely persist for the foreseeable future.”
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