Earlier than the end-of-year countdowns subsequent month, I like to check out lots of Ok-pop’s largest companies and see how their yr went. Clearly, 2023 will not be over but so any upcoming modifications to an company’s grade can be mirrored subsequent yr. Following SM Leisure and YG Leisure‘s evaluation final week, it’s time to dive into JYP Leisure.

As ordinary, the ideas under are my very own and aren’t aware of any insider info. The aim of those articles is to find out how properly Ok-pop companies are serving their artists and followers. There can be loads of subjective critique.

The Good

Alongside HYBE, JYP Leisure feels just like the Ok-pop company most obsessive about international dominance. All companies attain out to worldwide markets, however with JYP there’s all the time one other Nizi Venture or A2K competitors lurking across the nook. Company founder Park Jinyoung loves himself a survival sequence!

Due to this, JYP has profitable artists permeating a number of markets. Their Japanese outreach has all the time been sturdy and continues to be so. They’ve their palms in a number of pots with out overreaching in anybody route. This has helped set up a wholesome roster and a sure degree of name loyalty.

In contrast to YG Leisure, JYP has no downside with artist retention. Established teams like Twice and 2PM stay with the company and promote semi-actively. But, JYP has additionally developed a promising new technology of artists that proceed to do properly. Stray Children lead the cost and have turn into an actual pressure to be reckoned with in relation to gross sales. I helps that they arrive again incessantly and promote actively in a number of markets. Their progress in Japan appears particularly notable and I really like how they’ve been paired with precise Japanese artists. ITZY have maintained a excessive degree of success as properly, although the woman group market feels particularly aggressive in the intervening time and I’m unsure their sound is as complementary to present developments because it may very well be. Newer acts NMIXX and Xdinary Heroes nonetheless have some rising to do, however the company has the infrastructure and goodwill to help that.

Japanese act NiziU proceed to seek out success, mixing the company’s home fashion with J-pop influences. It was good to see them rating an OST this yr. That’s such an vital a part of the Japanese music trade.

Soloists haven’t all the time been a powerful level in JYP’s historical past, however they’re lastly leveraging the recognition of Twice to determine models and solos that allow the members showcase new sounds. This sense of inventive freedom can be vital in the long term as these teams outgrow the ideas they debuted with.

The Unhealthy

Whereas JYP’s observe file has been immaculate through the latter half of the 2010’s, they could have flooded the market with too many acts. As talked about earlier than NMIXX and Xdinary Heroes haven’t but achieved the extent of notoriety their friends did early on of their careers. Their attraction feels extra area of interest, and I’m wondering if this slower begin has given the company pause. There appears to be some course correction – particularly in NMIXX’s case.

In different instances, I fear that JYP is just stretching itself too skinny. I haven’t seen too many Ok-pop followers excited concerning the upcoming American debut of woman group Vcha. However, perhaps that’s simply because they’re not technically Ok-pop in any respect? Breaking the American market has lengthy been a tantalizing purpose for JYP himself, however to date the company has been most profitable when it merely transposes its present appeal onto a Western viewers. I’m unsure they want an American group to be aggressive within the American market.

Subjectively, I nonetheless assume JYP has a music downside. I didn’t get pleasure from a lot of their 2023 output, they usually’re missing the form of large, public-friendly singles that go on to turn into Ok-pop classics. That’s an method that Marvel Women, 2PM and Twice had mastered fairly early on, however the company’s newer artists are focusing on a extra particular base of followers. Pop music generally is shifting on this route, however you’ve received to have the dynamite songs to again it up. JYP’s A&R groups appear to like a shrill chant or gruff shout — each of which might develop tiresome shortly.

Lastly, I need to nonetheless ask the place JYP’s promised LOUD group is hiding? Following LOUD’s conclusion in 2021, the company promised a speedy debut. It’s now been two years and we’re nonetheless ready. Isn’t it time they unveil a brand new dance-oriented boy group? I’m so curious what ma have been bungled behind the scenes.

What I’d wish to see in 2024:

• A brand new dance-and-melody centered boy group, ideally with the fellows from LOUD
• Some large, public-friendly hit singles
• Much less survival sequence and extra deal with established artists

Earlier years: 2022 // 2021 // 2020 // 2019 // 2018 // 2017 // 2016