After taking a look at K-pop’s biggest agencies, I’d like to turn my attention to the smaller (but still important) players in the K-pop game, three at a time.
Disclaimer: As with my write-ups on K-Pop’s biggest agencies, this is written from an outsider’s perspective. I’m not privy to any business-related financial information beyond what any other fan would know. The purpose of these articles is to examine how well these agencies are serving their artists and the general K-pop fan-base.
WM ENTERTAINMENT
I’m really only keeping WM Entertainment as part of this feature because I have great fondness for their history of music. The agency hasn’t been particularly ambitious over the past few years. They gained major points for handling ONF’s enlistment so well but the group doesn’t feel like a central part of the industry anymore. Their 2024 was relatively quiet, though they did strike out on an international tour that I was very happy to attend.
Oh My Girl remain the biggest “what if?” in WM’s roster. They had all the makings of a top tier girl group, but for whatever reason the agency just kind of gave up on them. Their sole Korean comeback was their lowest charting since 2016 and the group just isn’t given the promotional oomph they deserve. It’s sad to see because they have such a strong discography. Member YooA released a solo album early in the year, but it fared even worse than the group comeback.
Soloist Lee Chaeyeon also struggled to match former comebacks with her only album of the year. It’s mystifying because the agency’s star power is there… and the music is there… but WM just can’t seem to push any of its artists further into public awareness. They used to be better at this. Just ask B1A4 (who unfortunately came and went with an early-2024 album).
C-
YUEHUA ENTERTAINMENT
Yuehua Entertainment has a Chinese branch as well, but this will solely focus on their Korean work.
To start off, the agency flunks 2024 due to their treatment of Tempest’s Hwarang. He was essentially booted from the group for… visiting a club. There have been many problematic “controversies” in K-pop, but this must be a new low. It just shows an utter contempt for their own artists. Apart from a stint on Road to Kingdom and some less-than-amazing Japanese releases, the group remained mostly out of the picture following their March mini album.
Meanwhile, Yuehua continue to feed Everglow scraps, giving them one forgettable comeback after nearly a year of silence. On the plus side, Zombie charted relatively well for them. But it’s clear the group is an afterthought for the agency.
The one bright side for Yuehua is soloist Choi Yena. Her success and quirky sound pull the agency out of “F” territory… but just barely.
D-
143 ENTERTAINMENT
Well, currently their CEO has sexual misconduct allegations leveled against him that have forced idol Gaeun out of her group (MADEIN) just weeks after its debut. So… things are going pretty well, right?
This agency is also home to iKON, who didn’t release a thing this year (they toured instead). That leaves us with those sexual misconduct allegations being 143’s biggest “achievement” of the year.
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
Including 143, especially given the current circumstances, is damn foul 😭
But seriously, they deserve hell for what they did to Gaeun. I hope the other girls are safe ;( F as well, actually, fuck it, we need to create a Z grade for these bastards.
And man Yuehua… they and SM are basically competing for which company sucks ass the most at handling their artists’ “controversies”. I hope Hwarang does well, away from this company. And man, Everglow fell off so bad due to their shit management, I remember they were part of the 4th gen leaders discourse during 2019-20. Yena’s the only artist under the company doing fine. D- as well.
And dk if you plan to do other companies, cause I have some serious bone to pick with PNation (spoiler, they’re a D- for me)
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Would you believe I planned to include 143 even before the scandal broke? What timing!
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Well, at least they aren’t getting that undeserved Bs or Cs (assuming you’d have given them those grades pre-scandal) and you wouldn’t have to regret giving them those grades as well. It’s a double-win from your side basically ￣_(ツ)_/￣
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Indeed even an F feels way too generous for what’s happening over at 143 right now. Which is a pity because other than that AI music video debacle, the whole Madein (re)debut had appeared to be pretty well-executed. I hope the members find a nurturing space to continue their careers, or failing that at least a quick path to safety.
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Oof- I remember the AI controversy. Quite a bad way to make your re-debut. I don’t follow Madein tbh, but besides the AI matter, the fans seemed content with the debut and 143’s management so far until the scandal. I hope they get out of the company asap
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As a loyal ONF fan since their debut, I was really impressed with the rollout and reception for Bye My Monster. Now is it my favorite comeback from them, no, that title will always be reserved for Complete.
But I am glad WM did not cancel their U.S. tour because I felt like a proud mom watching them perform, they are just a really talented group and are engaging performers. I was hoping we’d get a second comeback this year but I guess they spoiled us in 2021. I’m hoping their next comeback will be more “fun” and upbeat but whatever it is i’m sure i’ll like it.
I really enjoyed Oh My Girls comeback and I was surprised it didn’t do better. The video, the styling, the song production, the vocals, like everything was so good.
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Another year of Everglow managing to survive, praying for another 😭🙏 I WILL SEE THEM ON TOUR BEFORE THEY DISBAND AMEN
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This is definitely the most disappointing group on many fronts
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What, I always thought iKON was from YG. Anyway, That F looked totally right.
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They used to be from YG but moved to 143.
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Oh, I see
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Why was P Nation excluded this year?
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It just didn’t feel like they did much.
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Oh is this series done then? In that case let me take the opportunity to bring up one small agency that I think has been killing it this year: S2 Entertainment. It’s almost hard to picture now but at the beginning of 2024 Kiss of Life were still a lesser-known group, though their two (up to that point) minis had definitely registered with those of us who had been paying attention.
Fast forward to the end of 2024 and it feels like by now they’re a household name in Korea, while meanwhile they have already embarked on a sold-out North American tour. Their musical output remains top-notch, and same with the execution of their performances. Really looking forward to what Lee Hae In and co will cook up next for them in 2025.
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This is so true.
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