News B1A4 is concluding their exclusive contract with WM Entertainment after 14 years (1 Viewer)

[centen]

@Bana

Source: https://m.entertain.naver.com/now/article/108/0003394405

Google translate statement:

The following is the full statement from the agency:

Hello,

This is WM Entertainment.

First, we would like to express our gratitude to the fans who have loved and supported our artists, B1A4 (CNU, Sandeul, Gongchan).

After in-depth discussions with B1A4, we have mutually agreed to terminate their exclusive contract.

We sincerely thank the B1A4 members for their trust and partnership with us over the past 14 years.

Although their exclusive contract with our company has ended, given the long and deep relationship we've shared, we will wholeheartedly support B1A4 so that they can achieve even greater success in their new endeavors.

Furthermore, we will continue to collaborate to create synergy between our company and B1A4, and RBW Japan will also provide support for their overseas activities, maintaining a cooperative relationship.

Beyond the simple relationship of a singer and their agency, B1A4 has been a representative artist of WM Entertainment and a reliable partner for 14 years. Our WM employees will support and bless the members' future endeavors so that they can fully utilize their talents and pursue new challenges.

We ask for your continued warm interest and love for B1A4's future activities.

Thank you.

 

[centen]

RBW just fumbling their artists this year... I really liked B1A4 even as a trio, wishing the best for them.

 

[velvet]

I don't see Onf renewing unfortunately when their time comes up. This merging has basically killed WM and that sucks.

 

[Selfmate]

interesting

first chaeyeon and now b1a4...who is left at WM?

 

[centen]

interesting

first chaeyeon and now b1a4...who is left at WM?

Technically 4/6 of Oh My Girl, but it's easy to forget that since they only did a quick digital release early this year before YooA and Arin left and that's it.

ONF is still signed, but they've had a significant drop-off in sales (111K from early this year to 35K for the album they released last month), which makes you wonder wtf WM is doing with their promos.

And USPEER, who debuted in June with a digital single and nada since.

 

[Selfmate]

Technically 4/6 of Oh My Girl, but it's easy to forget that since they only did a quick digital release early this year before YooA and Arin left and that's it.

ONF is still signed, but they've had a significant drop-off in sales (111K from early this year to 35K for the album they released last month), which makes you wonder wtf WM is doing with their promos.

And USPEER, who debuted in June with a digital single and nada since.

with all due respect is there any point in WM existing under RBW as a separate entity anymore?

 

[centen]

with all due respect is there any point in WM existing under RBW as a separate entity anymore?

TBH, I think it's a really good question, especially since RBW doesn't really have that many acts itself. They technically manage Mamamoo, but only two members are still signed, and they haven't released anything as a group in three years. Then they have ONEUS, ONEWE, and a "pre-debut" group that's been trapped in the dungeon since 2023.

And technically, they have the members of Purple Kiss stuck under contract until 2028, but considering they just disbanded the group and Swan's solo sold terribly, I wouldn't count on them actually have any plans for them.

 

[Selfmate]

TBH, I think it's a really good question, especially since RBW doesn't really have that many acts itself. They technically manage Mamamoo, but only two members are still signed, and they haven't released anything as a group in three years. Then they have ONEUS, ONEWE, and a "pre-debut" group that's been trapped in the dungeon since 2023.

And technically, they have the members of Purple Kiss stuck under contract until 2028, but considering they just disbanded the group and Swan's solo sold terribly, I wouldn't count on them actually have any plans for them.

then the question also becomes what advantage did RBW have in actually buying out WM?
like I understand that in 2021 it was advantageous but maybe in hindsight it doesn't seem like the right decision

 

[centen]

then the question also becomes what advantage did RBW have in actually buying out WM?
like I understand that in 2021 it was advantageous but maybe in hindsight it doesn't seem like the right decision

It does feel like a strange decision. It's hard to see the long-term strategy here, which you would think they would have had in mind, since it's not like Kpop groups spin up out of nowhere (barring ONEWE) or only last a couple of years...

 

[Abeamus]

RBW canned WMs CEO so expect most if not all of WMs artists to leave when their contracts come up as you don't can a CEO the artists generally like and not have consequences.

 

[sooya_]

Oh, wow.