4Minute: Entertainment Expert Reveals Painful Truth Behind K-Pop Girl Group’s Disbanding
Earlier this year, popular K-pop girl group 4Minute made their return with a new concept, one that was assisted by producer Skrillex. Said concept, which incorporated dubstep, was featured in their hit song “Hate,” which turned out to be quite popular among international K-pop fans, especially those living in Europe and the United States. Sadly, “Hate” would become the final song 4Minute would ever perform as rumors and speculation of them disbanding began to circulate the internet right before their contracts were about to expire.
Sadly, the rumors and speculation proved to be true as CUBE Entertainment made an official statement on 4minute’s disbanding. Apparently, the only member to re-sign with them would be Hyuna.
“Jihyun, Gayoon, Jiyoon, and Sohyun’s exclusive contracts ended on June 14, and the four have left Cube. We had long negotiations concerning the four members’ re-signing, and at the end of the mediation, it was decided they would not re-sign. The label is respecting their decision and sincerely cheer on their futures.”
CUBE Entertainment’s statement did very little to satisfy the K-pop community, especially those who were part of 4NIA. More rumors and speculations arose on 4minute’s disbanding, including one that Jihyun, Gayoon, Jiyoon, and Sohyun were tired of being in Hyuna’s shadow after all four of them unfollowed Hyuna on Instagram, as reported by AllKpop.
https://www.facebook.com/4minute.unitedcube/photos/pb.430461357099014.-2207520000.1466605728./796887903789689/?type=3&theater
However, the true underlying reason why 4Minute suddenly disbanded has a lot to do with money, as in to the higher-ups, the K-pop girl group wasn’t making enough to justify them continuing on in their eyes. The revelation was made through an entertainment expert through Korean news outlet Sports World, as reported by Koreaboo.
“The answer to the question of why 4Minute disbanded lies with iHQ. In 2013, 50 percent [of] CUBE Entertainment was bought out by iHQ at 16.5 billion won and the final decision in all things lay with CUBE.”
The exposing article continues on to state that 4Minute’s recent albums were “failures” to iHQ. As a result, iHQ saw 4Minute as a non-profitable group and they took profit over music. As for why Hyuna was re-signed, it is because she was seen as a profitable entity for CUBE Entertainment as her solo career is very successful. As a matter of fact, Hyuna’s song “Bubble Pop” is considered one of the top 10 songs responsible for the sudden boom of the Hallyu Wave.
Fortunately for Gayoon, Jihyun, Jiyoon, and Sohyun, they are well known in the industry to find another agency to work for. Gayoon and Jihyun are looking into acting while Jiyoon wants to continue singing but also produce. Sohyun is probably the one who is best well off as she is part of the fixed cast of My Pet Laboratory on skyTV. As for Hyuna’s next solo career project, nothing has been announced but it will most likely drop before the end of the year.
[Image via Screen Capture of 4Minute’s Music Video for “Hate”]
