Were these 5 K-pop groups really ‘destroyed’ by their agencies? CLC and f(x) have been inactive for years, while Miss A, Pristin and B.A.P – who once beat BTS at the MTV EMAs – disbanded

Apr 21 , 2022

K-pop bands CLC and B.A.P had potential, but were arguably mismanaged by their companies. Photos: @cube_clc_official, @bapofficials/Instagram

K-pop idols often face mismanagement despite their hard work – B.A.P was on a roll but the awful conditions led them to file a lawsuit against TS Entertainment at its peak

CLC and f(x) are technically not disbanded but have been MIA for years, while Miss A became known as ‘Suzy and the others’ as she was the only member who got promoted

Behind the glitz and glamour of K-pop, there have been countless cases of idols who have suffered mismanagement, neglect and even outright mistreatment. Though some groups have seen overwhelming success, others have sometimes been given the short end of the stick and left to be forgotten – often by their own agencies.

Here are five groups who were arguably destroyed by the companies that managed them.

1. B.A.P

B.A.P filed a lawsuit against its agency in 2014. Photo: @bapofficials/Instagram

K-pop artists filing lawsuits against their agencies actually happens quite often, but B.A.P’s case is one of the most mentioned. The group filed to nullify their contracts in 2014, claiming severe underpayment and harsh working conditions. The group then went on hiatus for over a year and, although TS Entertainment denied the claims, they were soon proved to be true as several other artists filed lawsuits afterwards, eventually leading to the agency’s closure in 2021.

B.A.P won best Korean act in 2014, beating BTS and Beast. Photo: @bapofficials/Instagram

Aside from the lawsuit itself, what took a toll on the group was the fact that its hiatus came right at the height of success. Its “First Sensibility” album in early 2014 topped the Billboard World Album Chart and it even took an MTV EMA win for best Korean act in 2014, beating popular artists like BTS and Beast.

Though B.A.P returned in 2015, many felt it was a shame that the group was forced to take a break right at its peak, which affected its later success and ultimately lead to its disbandment in 2019.

2. f(x)

f(x) in their early days – the group has not been active since 2016. Photo: SM Entertainment