K-media has recently provided an update on the contract status of K-pop girl group Kep1er, who has been generating buzz for their highly anticipated album release and impending disbandment.
On May 16, Star News, a Korean news outlet, published an exclusive report revealing that the agencies representing all seven members of Kep1er have reached an agreement to extend their contracts.
Despite this decision, the outlet stated that Kep1er will experience a re-organization involving seven members. This is a result of Kang Yeseo and Mashiro reportedly signing contracts with 143 Entertainment to become members of the agency’s girl group LIMELIGHT.
If the decision is confirmed to extend their contracts, Kep1er will continue to operate as a seven-membered act. The girl group’s original contract was set to end in July 2024, but the executives at each member’s agency are now discussing the possibility of extending their activities.
The article from 143 Entertainment stated that discussions with CJ ENM regarding the extension of Kang Yeseo and Mashiro’s activities with Kep1er were ongoing until the day before. It was also mentioned that the contracts are still under careful review and a decision has not yet been made.
Additionally, iKON, a popular K-pop boy group, is also under the management of 143 Entertainment.
Kep1er officially debuted on January 3, 2022, with their first mini album “First Impact”and title track “WA DA DA”, after being formed through Mnet’s survival program “Girls Planet 999”. The group is currently managed by both WAKEONE Entertainment and Swing Entertainment.
The girl group, known as Kep1er, consists of nine members including Yujin, Xiaoting, Mashiro, Chaehyun, Dayeon, Hikaru, Huening Bahiyyih, Youngeun, and Yeseo. Their contract end date has sparked discussions among netizens, who are speculating about Kep1er’s future as a group.
WAKEONE released a brief comment on April 25, teasing fans about the potential extension of Kep1er’s contract. The agency stated that they are currently in negotiations in order to prolong the group’s activities.
Kep1er has recently released their debut Japanese full-length album, “Kep1going,”along with its lead single, “Straight Line.”
To view the entire music video for “Straight Line”, click here.
The MV received this response from Kep1ians:
- “Took them to the end of their contract to do the concept everyone wanted. Hikaru got a real rap, Hiyyih got a chorus. Where was this energy before?
- “Last Kep1er Japanese comeback I’m crying.”
- “How is this not a Korean comeback? This deserves more audience. Xiaoting always eating it up with the intro will always leave the viewers tuning in for real.”
- “For those who are not aware, they will have a Korean comeback in May. This is not their last album, so let’s support Kep1er because they deserve it.”
- “Before I hear people saying, ‘I regret not stanning them sooner,’ y’all better support, stream and go all out for their last Japanese and Korean comebacks.”
- “Can people stop talking about their disbandment and actually praise this comeback because it’s one of their best songs?”
- “Let’s not ignore it, it might be an unpopular opinion, but this concept suits them so well and the song is pretty good compared to what they’ve been doing.”
- “I really think they are the most misunderstood group of their generation. This is gold.”
Do you have any opinions on this? Are you interested in seeing Kep1er renew their contracts? Share your thoughts in the comments section!
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