Second-generation kpop idols, including BIGBANG, 2PM, and SHINee, are coming back, one by one, with new activities.
SHINee said, “We are still alive. We want to show you that we can do well. That’s it.” They are runner-up to the ‘2nd generation K-pop’, they made their comeback after two and a half years.
In fact, there are four divisions of K-pop generations. The first generation appeared and dismantled in the late 1990s. The 2nd generation of K-pop expansion is through Wonder Girls, Girls’ Generation, Big Bang, SHINee, 2PM in 2007. BTS and Twice is the best example of the 3rd generation idols. Other idol groups that debuted after 2019 are the so-called 4th generations of K-Pop.
ITZY, ATEEZ, Treasure, and Enhypen are samples of 4th generation idols. But, second-generation idols are a trend that has passed through an era. There are many groups of second-generation idols, which are famous around the world. However, most disbanded and have ceased their activities.
Now, the second generation of idols is coming back. The meaning of their comeback is different in many ways. In fact, it is not easy for idol groups to pass through the maximum 7-year period. It is specified in the standard contract. There is even a saying in the music industry that it is a ‘7 years jinx’. This is because activity termination and disbanding after a 7-year contract period are common.
Particularly, since last year, overseas activities have been blocked due to Coronavirus. So, idol groups, which have entered their 5th-6th year, have increased anxiety due to the looming expiration of their contract.
An official from a music agency to which the 5th-year idol group belongs said, “As the lifespan of the idol group is short, it is nice to see the return of groups that have not been active for a long time. I also want to show that we do well again.”
The best example is SHINee, which is in its 14th year this year. They released a comeback and 7th full-length album, ‘Don’t Call Me,’ on the 22nd of last month. This is after two and a half years of inactivity. They went quiet after the release of their 6th regular album in September 2018. Onew, Key, and Minho were then enlisted in the mandatory military service.
SHINee debuted in 2008 with “My Noona is So Pretty.” They released many hit songs such as ‘Ring Ding Dong,’ ‘Lucifer,’ ‘View,’ and ‘Sherlock.’ The boy group became popular in Japan, China, Southeast Asia, and North America with their wonderful songs and great performances. Like the stories of the members who want to show SHINee’s ‘building material,’ they proved their prosperity at the same time as their comeback. Upon the release, the 7th regular album ‘Don’t Call Me’ ranked #1 on the iTunes Top Album Chart in 45 regions of the world, including the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, and Germany. Also, SHINee swept the sales chart of QQ Music and Kuwar Music digital albums in China and Japan. They also ranked #1 on the LINE Music Album ‘Top 100’ Chart.
2PM is also starting back up. If member Junho will be discharged this March, everyone in the group completed their mandatory military service. This is except for Thai member Nichkhun, who has no obligation to complete military service. Wooyoung, Chansung, and JunK have already started their comeback through entertainment programs and JYP Entertainment’s own entertainment content ‘Wild Six’ YouTube, while Ok Taecyeon is currently returning through the drama ‘Vincenzo’ (tvN). The 2PM members are raising expectations for a complete comeback by saying, “We’ll see you all with good content. Please look forward to the year 2021 filled with 2PM.”
The second-generation idol group with the highest comeback expectations is BIGBANG. They will make a comeback at the famous American Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival last year. This is after re-contracting with the agency YG Entertainment. However, due to coronavirus, they need to cancel the schedule. This has disappointed fans. Since then, BIGBANG has not given any update on their potential comeback. But, there’s news that BIGBANG’s leader G-Dragon has been working on a new song since the end of last year.
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