Entertainment · K-Culture & Anime · 17 hrs ago
K-pop groups from large agencies stay active more than twice as long
A study examined 1,159 K-pop groups that debuted from 1996 through 2025.
It found that nearly 90% debuted at small agencies, while about 10% came from large agencies.
Despite being far more numerous, groups from small agencies had an average activity span of 3.6 years, compared with 7.4 years for groups from large agencies.
The gap also showed up in album sales: 20.5% of large-agency groups reached one million copies for a single album, compared with 0.7% of small-agency groups.
These figures point to much lower chances of long-term activity and major sales for small-agency groups.
The study's author proposed 10 support measures, including investment funds, marketing help and overseas showcases.
He said support should build a path from entering the market to growth, investment recovery and continued activity.
A study found that K-pop groups from large agencies stayed active for an average of 7.4 years, compared with 3.6 years for groups from smaller agencies.
About 90% of the 1,159 groups in the analysis debuted at smaller agencies.
Groups from large agencies also had higher rates of continued activity and album sales.
The study’s author proposed 10 support measures to help smaller agencies grow.
The findings were reported on November 9, 2026.
- Who
- Kim Jeong-seop, a professor at Sungshin Women’s University, analyzed 1,159 K-pop groups.
- What
- The study found that groups from large agencies stayed active more than twice as long as groups from smaller agencies.
- When
- The analysis covered groups debuting from 1996 through the previous year. The findings were announced on November 9, 2026.
- Where
- South Korea; the study was published in the Journal of the Korea Entertainment Industry Association.
- Why
- The study examined differences by agency size and proposed support measures for smaller agencies.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The study analyzed K-pop groups that debuted during this period.
Yonhap reported the study’s findings and recommendations.
- Groups analyzed
- 1,159
- Debuted at smaller agencies
- 1,042 groups, or 89.9%
- Average activity period, large agencies
- 7.4 years
- Average activity period, smaller agencies
- 3.6 years
- Small-agency support proposals
- 10 measures across five areas
What people are saying
The gap between the two groups widened as the sales threshold increased.
Support policies should focus on building a growth foundation that leads from market entry to growth, recovery of investment, reinvestment and long-term activity, rather than simply supporting debut and production costs.