It has been almost 5 years since 2PM graced us with new music but the wait is over! The group’s agency, JYPE, revealed earlier this year that the K-pop juggernaut would be making a comeback on June 28th, now that all members of the groups have finished their mandatory enlistment.
The world of K-pop is fast-paced and most groups do not stay active past their initial 7 year contract. We have already seen that be the case this year with GFriend choosing not to resign with Source Music and officially disbanding. However, we have seen a new trend emerge where groups are choosing to not call it a disbandment but rather a break for solo activities, if they decide to define their group's future at all. Mamamoo’s Wheein decided to not renew with RBW but has agreed to participate in group activities for up to an additional 2 years with a question mark on both her and Mamamoo's plans after those 2 years are up while Got7’s members left JYPE together and signed with different agencies internationally as solo artists but as a group to Warner Music Korea.
Almost every group that debuted around the time of 2PM has either disbanded or are still “together” but have not released new music, as a full group, in over 4 years. It is also worth noting that Ok Taec-yeon did not resign with JYPE after his contract ended as he chose an acting agency to facilitate his rise as a powerhouse actor in Korea. It was said at the time that he would continue making music with 2PM through JYPE but outside of Shinhwa and Brown Eyed Girls, this was still uncertain territory. It was believed by many that we would not see a 2PM comeback with Taec-yeon or that it may not happen for a very long time.
That has made 2PM’s comeback, all the more special, not just to their Hottest (the cute name given to their fandom) but also to many K-pop fans that have yearned for some familiarity in this ever-changing K-pop landscape.
Many new fans are unaware of 2PM’s music and history, so these are the 5 things you have to know, so we can all be our best Hottest come June 28th.
2PM was created through a reality show that created a more traditional idol group, 2PM, and a ballad group, 2AM. Both groups are still quite close to this day even though 2AM has since disbanded. Though there are rumours that a comeback is possible so keep your finger’s crossed!
They were initially a 7 member group and Jay Park was their leader! Yes, rapper and CEO Jay Park, who you may remember from the consistent trending, was originally an idol! Social media got the best of him then too and that was the reason he was removed from the group.
Their Beast Idol title was no joke! Before Mark Tuan backflipped his way through Got7’s discography, 2PM were known for their flips, B-boying and muscular physique. This performance on the Star Dance Battle is a great example of 2PM’s style near the beginning of their career.
As the members have matured over time, so has their sound. We can expect fun, mature concepts that lean heavier on the r&b side than the trendy hip hop that we’re used to.
Not only are these men known for their music but many of the members are also popular actors. Taecy-eon stunned many with his turn as an evil chaebol in Vincenzo earlier this year and Nichkhun is set to star in the Hollywood film, Hong Kong Love story.
Now that you’re in the know about 2PM here are some of the songs that you should check out. Hopefully their music will keep you company until their seventh studio album, Must, is released.
We’re almost there!
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