In particular, K-pop idol groups often naturally disband as some members leave their agencies or start new projects with different members. As third-generation girl groups, neither Lovelyz nor Sistar, a powerhouse in the summer music charts, have been able to exceed the "seven-year jinx."
In recent years, the lifespan of many idol groups has been shorter than seven years. There is even a saying that it is a "seven-year jinx." Why does the story of the "seven-year jinx" come up in discussions about K-pop idols?
K-Pop idols' standard contracts have been a topic of concern for years, with controversies over so-called "slave contracts" involving major groups such as TVXQ, Girls' Generation, and Wonder Girls. In response, the Korea Fair Trade Commission established a standardized contract for exclusive agreements in 2009.
Under this contract, which has become the norm for K-Pop idol groups, trainees are promoted to full-time singers and sign an exclusive agreement with their agencies. The agreement stipulates that the maximum length of the contract is seven years. Even if a contract is set for a longer period, it is effectively meaningless because either party can terminate it at any time.
As the seventh year approaches, all members of the group are required to renegotiate their contracts, with terms that differ from those of their rookie days. However, due to various factors, including declining popularity, coming to an agreement can be difficult for both the company and members. In fact, declining popularity is often the biggest reason for a group's disbandment. If the group remains popular, its members usually renew their contracts. But if not, the group may disband.
The exact reason for the seven-year limit is unknown. In 2009, the Fair Trade Commission announced its plan to create a standard contract with a validity period of less than seven years. Some speculate that the Commission considered the fact that large agencies contracted their idols for 10 years, while small and medium-sized agencies had contracts of two to seven years at the time. Others argue that the U.S. California labor law stipulates that if the total duration exceeds seven years, including suspensions, it could be seen as an illegal long-term contract. Regardless of the reason, the seven-year limit has become a defining feature of K-Pop idol contracts.
The initial fervor that follows an idol's debut often wanes over time, with the peak period lasting approximately one to three years. This pattern of debut, peak period, extended peak period, sudden decrease in popularity, and group disbandment is common in the industry.
The timing of when an individual signs on as a trainee can vary, with companies contracting individual members at different times and then renewing those contracts when the group is complete. It is uncommon for trainees to have their own contracts, with contracts typically being drawn up when entering the debut group.
Even before joining a group, recognized members sign official celebrity contracts. This is often the case for those who have already achieved recognition through activities such as back-up dancing, music survival broadcasts, or former group membership. The timing of contract renewals can vary, leading to potential internal conflicts.
A celebrity's popularity is not permanent, and as time passes after debut, public interest decreases, leading to a shift in generations. Agencies constantly announce new groups to fill gaps in popularity, spending less on senior groups and more on junior groups. The difficulty of the entertainment industry's lifestyle often leads to celebrities leaving when their contracts expire.
Girl groups, in particular, face challenges. They often debut in their mid to late teens and early twenties, and by the end of their seven-year contract, they are in their mid to late twenties or early thirties. As a high proportion of their fanbase is male, maintaining that fandom becomes increasingly difficult as the girl groups age. Men prefer young and sexy girl groups, and their favorite groups often deviate to newer, younger groups. The debut of junior groups at an agency can significantly reduce the popularity of senior groups.
As time passes after an idol's debut, the influx of new fans decreases significantly. Most people interested in idols are in their teens and twenties, leading to senior idols being seen as "old idols" or "chill," and only liked by older individuals. Even a great comeback song may not receive an explosive response due to the waning public interest. Existing fandom becomes essential for these idols to endure.
In the world of idol music, maintaining a consistent style or image can be a challenge. As time passes, the quality of songs can deteriorate, leaving composers with increasingly depleted ideas and struggling to create high-quality music. However, replacing the composer is often easier said than done, leaving artists with little choice but to accept the decline.
Unlike non-idol singers, whose success can rely solely on their music, idol songs require both popularity and freshness. A single failure, such as Rainbow's "Black Swan," can cause a significant drop in an idol's popularity, making it difficult to regain public attention.
The pursuit of individuality can also contribute to a decline in popularity. Red Velvet's experimental and minor songs, including "Zimzalabim," resulted in a loss of popularity compared to their peak period. Similarly, ITZY's pursuit of individuality with "Ma.Pi.A. In the morning." caused a slight decline in popularity with "In the morning."
Self-replication is another factor that can lead to a decline in popularity. The public often grows tired of a similar style of singing, contributing to the decline of groups like EXID and Momoland. However, some groups, such as Momoland, have been able to reverse their decline with a hit like "Bboom Bboom."
As trends change, an idol's popularity may decrease if they do not adapt to the changing preferences of the public. However, sudden changes in concept can damage an idol's identity, requiring caution when pursuing new styles. T-ara and Orange Caramel became popular in the early 2010s with a mix of idol music and trot vibes. However, Orange Caramel's whimsical style fell out of favor with the public in 2014, causing a significant drop in popularity. While T-ara has not disbanded, their popularity has considerably declined. Additionally, many girl groups that focused on a sexy concept have disbanded or rapidly declined in popularity due to strong opposition to weak femininity and sexual commercialization, resulting in the collapse of the sexy and girl crush concepts.
Being an idol in the Korean entertainment industry is a highly competitive and stressful profession. Idols are often part of a group, and conflicts among members are common due to differences in career aspirations, personality, awareness, revenue, and music styles. Members often have to work together despite personal issues, and maintaining a good image in front of the camera can be very stressful. Many idols choose not to renew their contracts due to this stress.
In addition, members may suffer due to the lack of certain skills in their group, such as appearance or singing ability. This can lead to emotional conflicts and even verbal or physical abuse. As time goes on, there may also be a growing gap between popular and less popular members, which can lead to further tension and disbandment of the group.
The Korean idol industry is becoming increasingly competitive, and many groups disband faster than before due to market conditions. COVID-19 has also had a significant impact on the industry, as major sources of income such as concerts and fan events have been cancelled. This has led to financial difficulties for both small and mid-sized agencies, and even some closures. As a result, idols may become exhausted and unable to renew their contracts.
Despite efforts to remain competitive, older idols may be pushed out by younger, stronger competitors. This generation gap can be a significant factor in the industry, as younger idols rise in popularity and demand. Overall, being an idol in the Korean entertainment industry is a challenging and stressful profession, with many factors contributing to the high turnover rate and disbandment of groups.
Conclusion
In conclusion, K-pop idols face challenges such as maintaining popularity and negotiating their contracts, especially as they approach the end of their seven-year contracts. This is known as the "seven-year jinx," which is a defining feature of K-pop idol contracts. As trainees' popularity wanes after the initial fervor that follows their debut, agencies announce new groups to fill gaps in popularity, spending less on senior groups and more on junior groups.
Furthermore, maintaining a consistent style or image can be difficult, as idol songs require both popularity and freshness. Despite these challenges, some K-pop idols manage to maintain their musical relevance and longevity in the industry.
What causes the “Seven-Year Jinx” among K-Pop idols?
Enter your details below to save your shopping cart for later. And, who knows, maybe we will even send you a sweet discount code :)