End of the line: 7 K-pop group contracts ending in 2022, from Twice and Monsta X to CLC and Day6 – who will disband and who will continue into a new era?

Every year, the K-pop world sees countless new debuts and more fans, but some unfortunate disbandments too. Most idols have a seven-year contract with their company, which has led to what fans call the “seven year curse” – where bands tend to disband or see certain members leaving the group after seven years.

So, who are the K-pop idols whose contracts are ending in 2022? Which groups are likely staying together, and which groups might disband?

1. Twice

Twice recently expanded to the mainstream Western market. Photo: JYP Entertainment

The beloved nine-member group, formed through the survival show Sixteen, debuted under JYP Entertainment in October 2015 – and is still going strong with regular promotions and musical releases.

Just last year, the group released its first-ever English single, The Feels, which marked their expansion into the Western market. The song was so well-loved that it grabbed a spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, debuting at number 83 – a first for the girls. The group has clearly gained worldwide popularity and their journey into the mainstream Western market has only just begun, leading fans to believe that contract renewals will be likely.

Fans have been concerned about Mina and Jeongyeon in particular. Photo: @twicetagram/Instagram

But while the group’s achievements are going strong, many are concerned about Mina and Jeongyeon. These two members have struggled with their mental health over the years and have taken multiple hiatuses. Jeongyeon in particular has been on a break since August 2021 because of her panic and anxiety disorders. As such, fans are worried that they might not choose to renew their contracts.

2. Day6

Day6, including now former member Jae (centre). Photo: @day6kilogram/Instagram

Another group under JYP Entertainment, Day6 debuted in September 2015 and has since released several hit songs. Two of the four current members, Sungjin and Young K, are currently serving in the military, while the youngest member, Dowoon, is set to enlist on January 17. Wonpil, the remaining member, has yet to announce his enlistment, but since he turns 28 in April – the maximum age South Korean laws requires men to enlist by – fans believe he’ll likely join Dowoon in the military this year.

Jae left Day6 in December 2021. Photo: @eajpark/Instagram

The group’s last project together was in April 2021, and although the members have been active as soloists and as part of a subunit, their fate as a full group still remains uncertain. Additionally, now-ex-member Jae’s sudden departure on December 31, 2021 left fans with more concerns and questions. According to Yonhap News, despite the singer’s announcement on Twitter that he will be taking a hiatus, JYP Entertainment revealed that Jae had actually ended his contract with the agency and will be leaving the band.

3. iKon

iKon’s last comeback was in March 2021. Photo: YG Entertainment

iKon debuted under YG Entertainment in September 2015, after their group was formed in the survival show Mix & Match. Though the group released a new digital single in March 2021 and took part in the competition show Kingdom: Legendary War in April that same year, they have been relatively quiet since.

iKon’s Bobby announced his marriage late last year. Photo: @jzzzindaeyo/Twitter

With member Bobby and his non-celebrity fiancé’s sudden engagement announcement, and the birth of their child late last year, iKon’s future plans as a group have remained in the dark, with contract renewals still uncertain.

4. April

April got swept up in bullying scandals in 2021. Photo: @official.april/Instagram

Composed of six members, DSP Media’s girl group debuted in August 2015, with their last release being in July 2020 – a year and a half ago. Last year saw April get wrapped up in multiple controversies, leading to a lack of activities, although member Naeun remained a host of music show Inkigayo until February 2021.

Member Naeun was dropped from the drama Taxi Driver after bullying accusations in 2020. Photo: @official.april/Instagram

The entire group came under fire in February 2021 when former member Lee Hyunjoo claimed that she left the group because she was bullied by the other members. Though both DSP Media and the girls themselves denied these claims, the group still faced severe backlash and members were even removed from endorsement deals and acting projects.

According to Soompi, Naeun had also previously been accused of being a bully in school, though the anonymous accuser has recently released a statement withdrawing those claims and apologising.

With all this going on, it’s hard to tell whether the girls will continue as a group as their contract renewals are all up in the air.

5. Monsta X

Monsta X debuted in May 2015. Photo: Starship Entertainment

Another group formed through a survival show, Starship Entertainment’s Monsta X debuted in May 2015 and have seen widespread success both domestically and internationally. Though leader Shownu is currently completing his mandatory military enlistment, the remaining five members are still going strong with promotions, having released their second English album, “The Dreaming”, in December 2021.

Though no official announcements have been made yet, things are looking good for the group’s future, with contract renewals appearing to be likely.

6. CLC

CLC, including now-ex-members Elkie and Sorn. Photo: Cube Entertainment

Having debuted in March 2015, Cube Entertainment’s CLC has had a rather bumpy career, involving group member changes and unexpected hiatuses. Its last full-group release was in September 2020 and since then two of the seven members, Elkie and Sorn, have left the group. Other members were active in 2021, with Seunghee, Yeeun and Seungyeon releasing a song in March and Yujin taking part in survival show Girls Planet 999, but the group as a whole has remained under the radar.

Yujin debuted as part of project group Kep1er in January. Photo: @official.kep1er/Instagram

Though Yujin’s participation in Girls Planet 999 in particular was highly anticipated as it would bring more recognition to the group, especially after her successful debut with the girl group Kep1er this January, fans are still left with concerns. During an interview on the show, Yujin mentioned that Cube Entertainment had said: “CLC will no longer be having group activities”, prompting fan outrage. Though the company made no official statement, after the line-up changes and lack of group activities, the fate of CLC is still unknown as their contracts are supposed to expire this year.

Want more stories like this? Follow STYLE on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Twitter.