In recent months, a wave of agency transfers among K-pop groups with less than seven years of experience has attracted industry attention. With the changing landscape of entertainment companies, many groups are seeking new beginnings under different management, raising questions about whether these moves will rejuvenate their careers.
Typically, idol contracts in South Korea follow the Fair Trade Commission’s standard seven-year agreement. While changing agencies after contracts are concluded is common, changes have recently occurred even before contracts expire, often due to agency downsizing or financial issues. These early relocations reflect a growing trend of strategic repositioning for survival.
USPEER moves just 7 months after debut
One of the most notable cases is USPEER, a rookie girl group launched by WM Entertainment in June 2025. By January 2026, they had moved to MW Entertainment founded by Lee Won Min, the creator of B1A4 and OH MY GIRL, and founder of WM. The move followed Lee’s departure from WM after it was acquired by RBW. Without their original producer, USPEER’s future was uncertain, especially since they didn’t release new music for over six months after debut.
Fortunately, RBW and MW Entertainment have reached an amicable agreement, transferring the exclusive contract and trademark rights to USPEER. Lee, who launched USPEER a decade after OH MY GIRL, is now preparing his comeback and planning the debut of a new boy group under MW. He expressed confidence in the group’s potential, promising a new generation of K-pop stars.
H1-KEY begins a new chapter in their fourth year
H1-KEY, known for its hit “Rose Blossom,” also changed agencies in 2025, moving from GLG to Choi Creative Lab due to the downsizing of the original company. Despite musical success with songs like “Time to Shine” and “Summer Was You”, the group lacked album selling power, making profitability difficult.
They released a winter song-style track, “Not Like a Movie”, under their new agency on January 4, marking their fourth anniversary and a new beginning. The track reunited them with producer SIU, highlighting their intent to deepen their musical identity under new management.
CLASS:y returns after a long hiatus under a new label
In late 2025, CLASS:y formed through MBC idol survival show My Teenage Girl left M25 and joined K-Tigers Entertainment. The new agency cited the group’s untapped potential and passion for performance as key reasons for their signing. With a long hiatus behind them, CLASS:y is now preparing for a new release in the first half of 2026.
The transition of a group that has already debuted comes with challenges. Over time, idols face decreasing novelty and increasing expectations. However, K-Tigers CEO Ahn Chang Beom told Edaily that teams like CLASS:y, with professional work ethic and stage experience, can still enter a new golden era if paired with the right production and musical direction.
While agency moves often raise concerns, these changes can offer a lifeline especially when guided by leadership that recognizes and cultivates the strengths of established groups. Fans and industry observers alike are eager to see if these groups can truly shine in their new homes.
Sources: Daum
