As Kpop gains international momentum, more companies are setting up offices in the United States, signifying a broader global reach for the genre. Discover how Kpop is going global with multinational groups and innovative trends, reshaping the industry’s future. Join the new “Kpop without the K” era!
Agencies that Create Kpop Groups without the K
Titan Company: A Trailblazer in the US
Han founded Titan Company in the US in April 2023, marking a pioneering move for a Kpop company to start in America. Initially incorporated in Korea in June, the firm opened a Korean office recently and plans to establish its main office in Los Angeles by next January. This move illustrates a growing trend in K-pop to establish a presence outside of Korea right from the start. Companies such as Titan Content, alongside industry giants like Hybe and JYP Entertainment, are forming multinational Kpop groups, some of which debut in the US without any Korean members. This indicates a shift towards a more globally inclusive K-pop industry.
Han, formerly the CEO of SM Entertainment, brings over two decades of industry experience to Titan. The company’s leadership includes:
- CEO Kang “Katie” Jung-ah, a former SM executive responsible for discovering and developing groups like TVXQ and Girls’ Generation;
- Lia Kim, Chief Performance Officer known for choreographing for artists like Twice;
- Chief Visual Officer Lee Guiom, recognized for his work with Seventeen and GOT7.
Titan has attracted significant investment and media attention, with coverage from prominent outlets like Variety and Billboard.
Titan Content’s Ambitious Goals
By 2028, Titan Content will launch two multinational boy groups, two girl groups, and solo acts. Preparations for unveiling the first new act are set for 2025, following global auditions next year. Titan is also exploring innovative technologies like web3, the metaverse, and AI to create platforms for K-pop artists from smaller agencies to connect with global fans, expanding the K-pop production system and fan base.
“For the past 20 years or so, Kpop has always been branching out into the rest of the world. It’s a history of tackling global markets, beyond Japan, China, and the rest of Asia and into places like the US and Europe. Traveling to the US last year, I saw that the influence of Kpop has grown immensely compared with before the COVID-19 pandemic. I had the thought, ‘What if I create a Kpop company that has its start in the US, the very heart of entertainment?’ That’s how it started.”
Han “Nikki” Se-min, the chairperson of Titan Content
Hybe and JYP Take Global Initiatives
Hybe’s Chairperson, Bang Si-hyuk, known for BTS, suggests removing the ‘K’ from Kpop to broaden its market reach. He’s launching a global Kpop group through international auditions. Hybe’s new girl group, Katseye, comprises members from diverse backgrounds, chosen through a collaboration with Geffen Records.
Similarly, JYP Entertainment is preparing to debut its global girl group VCHA. The Kpop group without Korean members is formed through the A2K project with Republic Records. VCHA, comprising members from various nationalities, has already released pre-debut singles and is set for an official debut soon.
SM Entertainment’s New Ventures and Other International Groups
Meanwhile, SM Entertainment is partnering with the UK’s M&B to develop a group. Even within Korea, groups like Blackswan, formed by DR Music, consist entirely of non-Korean members. Such groups are actively touring globally and contributing to the genre’s diversity.
“It was really challenging to learn Korean etiquette such as the use of honorific expressions and we are still on a rollercoaster ride. But we are so glad to form a Kpop girl group that we dreamed of.”
BLACKSWAN, through its management company, DR Music.
Industry Perspectives on the Evolution of Kpop
At the Kpop Radar conference, experts from Space Oddity and music critics discussed the trend of ‘Kpop without the K.’ Additionally, they noted the expanding definition of Kpop, foreseeing a future where groups of various compositions could compete internationally. This reflects a broader trend of Kpop’s global integration and influence.
Other Kpop groups without the K
XG
XG, a girl group with seven Japanese members – Jurin, Chisa, Cocona, Hinata, Maya, Juria, and Harvey – stands out as it has no Korean members. Trained in the Kpop style and based in Korea, they identify more as a “global group,” aiming to transcend traditional boundaries.
Honey Popcorn
Honey Popcorn, a Kpop girl group without Korean members formed by Kyun Create. The group debuted in 2018 with their mini album “Bibidi Babidi Boo.” Unique for being entirely composed of Japanese members, the group includes Yua Mikami, Moko Sakura, Ruka Tajima, and Sara Izumi. Although their previous careers sparked some controversy, Honey Popcorn has managed to build a fan base in both Korea and Japan.
EXP Edition
EXP Edition, a Kpop boy group with four non-Korean members, made their debut in 2017 with the single “Feel Like This.” They are recognized as the first “Kpop group without the K” in the industry. The group originated from the “I’m Making A Boy Band” project, created by Bora Kim, Karin Kuroda, and Samantha Shao. Despite facing criticism from some Kpop fans, EXP Edition has continued to grow and has successfully established a loyal fanbase. Although EXP Edition never formally disbanded, it seems that all members have moved on to new chapters in their lives.
TEMFIVE
TemFive, a pioneering all-Filipino Kpop girl group, stands for “Touching people’s heart emotionally and mentally.” Comprising five Filipino members – Sarah, Rayna, Robie, Jyrrah, and Katy – the group debuted in the Philippines in August 2016 with their Korean song “Miracle.” They made a significant impact in the industry, performing at various prestigious venues in South Korea, including the Korean Celebrity Basketball League in 2017. Additionally, TemFive has hosted numerous fan meets and events across the country, further solidifying their presence in the “Kpop without the K” scene.
StarBe
StarBe, a four-member “Indo-pop” girl group, debuted in 2019 and soon journeyed to Korea for a three-month period of Kpop training. From its inception, Kpop significantly influenced StarBe, particularly as Indonesian pop groups, once modeled on Anglo-American pop, began to decline. This shift provided an opportunity for StarBe to emerge and address the gap in the music scene.
“We wanted to combine K-pop and Indo-pop, but with our own twist,”
StarBe Abelle
KAACHI
KAACHI, a British girl group under FrontRow Records, included members Nicole, Coco, Dani, and Chunseo. They made history as the first European Kpop girl group to debut in South Korea, releasing their digital single “Your Turn” on April 29, 2020. Despite being marketed as a Kpop group, KAACHI encountered substantial controversy and backlash, mainly due to their non-Korean background and limited knowledge of Korean culture and language. Therefore, the group officially disbanded on February 28, 2023.
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