TWICE is a nine-member South Korean girl group that debuted in 2015. (Photo : YouTube/JYP Entertainment)
There are only a couple of days left until 2016 comes to an end. As preparations for year-end awards, shows and festivities are in full swing, South Korean entertainment agencies are also busy outlining their plans for the coming year.
YG Entertainment
"Made" will be BIGBANG's last promotional run in a long while as member T.O.P is scheduled to begin his mandatory military service next year. As per Soompi, T.O.P's duty will begin on Feb. 9, 2017 and he will serve as a conscripted policeman. He is the first member to enlist, but the other four members will soon follow.
YG Entertainment's promotions calendar will begin with Akdong Musician on Jan. 3. SECHSKIES will also release new material on January and April. WINNER is also set to return as a four-member group following Nam Tae Hyun's exit in November this year. iKON is also confirmed to make a comeback. PSY, Epik High and other artists under the agency are also working on new music.
SM Entertainment
The members of TVXQ will be discharged from the military and SM Entertainment is planning a big comeback for the veteran group. Super Junior's Shindong, Donghae, Eunhyu, Sungmin and Siwon will also complete their military service next year. With this, the agency is planning to re-group its "Golden lineup" for 2017.
Younger male idol groups such as NCT and EXO are also expected to promote heavily next year. NCT won "Best male rookie award" for 2016, which means SM Entertainment would have a lot more in store for the group. No debuting groups is being reported from SM.
JYP Entertainment
Miss A member Sulli is confirmed to make her solo debut sometime in January, the same publication reported. A source from JYP Entertainment revealed that Lee Min Ho's girlfriend has filmed her music video and did a photo shoot for her album cover.
GOT7 and TWICE who gained huge traction and success in 2016 will continue with their domestic and international activities in 2017.
As for 2PM, although there was no news of a potential comeback, a source claimed that the members will focus on doing dramas and performing concerts until they are due to enlist in the military.
Big Hit Entertainment
2016 was a good year for BTS as the group entered various music charts locally and overseas. For instance, they broke the record for having sold the most albums in one day. BTS was also dubbed the first South Korean act to rank in the Billboard 200 chart for three consecutive years. BTS' "Wings" tour will kick off in February. The group will visit Chile, Brazil and the U.S.
