HYBE, The Black Label, and SM Entertainment to Introduce Exciting Additions to the K-pop Landscape

Courtesy of HYBE

In the wake of the remarkable success of K-pop girl groups like NewJeans, IVE, Le Sserafim, and aespa, several new girl groups are poised to make their mark on the scene in 2024. 

▲ ILLIT / Courtesy of HYBE

K-pop powerhouse HYBE, renowned for managing the Grammy-nominated boy band BTS, is set to debut ILLIT, a five-member group on March 25. Comprising Yunah, Minju, Moka, Wonhee, and Iroha, winners from the 2023 audition show "R U Next?", the group is the third to be launched by HYBE, following NewJeans and Le Sserafim. Managed by Belift Lab, ILLIT's debut album, "Super Real Me," in two versions, "Real Me" and "Super Me," is scheduled for release. HYBE Chairman Bang Si-hyuk played a role in the creative process of the album.

▲ Idol trainees of The Black Label / Captured from an internet forumThe Black Label, an associate company of YG Entertainment, the birthplace of BLACKPINK, is also gearing up to introduce a new girl group in the first half of 2024. Founded by producer Teddy Park, The Black Label has not disclosed specific details, but speculation suggests the inclusion of a granddaughter of Shinsegae Group Chairwoman Lee Myung-hee, noted for her appearance in photos alongside The Black Label's idol trainees.

In the fourth quarter of 2024, SM Entertainment, a K-pop behemoth, plans to unveil a new girl group, approximately four years after the creation of aespa in 2020. SM CEO Jang Cheol-hyuk, announced the label's preparation for a multi-member group on YouTube in May 2023. Interest among K-pop enthusiasts is heightened regarding the possible inclusion of Na Ha-eun, a YouTube creator who signed an exclusive contract with SM in 2022, known for her dance cover videos on the "Awesome Haeun" channel, which still boasts over five million subscribers.

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Blue YIM, yimyoungseo1010@naver.com