“We’ve missed you as much as you’ve waited for us.”
After a three-year hiatus, K-pop girl group GFRIEND is ready to reunite with their fans. The group announced their return on Dec. 10 through the fan platform Weverse, sharing plans for a new album and reunion concert, much to the delight of their loyal fanbase.
Debuting in 2015, GFRIEND captivated audiences with hits like “Rough” and “LOVE WHISPER” before disbanding in 2021 following the expiration of their contract with Source Music. Now, they are set to release a new album in January and hold a reunion concert on Jan. 18 and 19 at Seoul’s Olympic Hall. Tickets for the 5,000-seat, two-day event sold out almost immediately, underscoring the enduring love for the group.
GFRIEND is the latest in a wave of K-pop reunions, a trend that reflects the shifting dynamics of the industry. In the past, disbanded groups often faced significant obstacles to returning, as contract expirations and trademark restrictions made reunions difficult. Today, however, more groups are reconnecting with fans, releasing albums, and returning to the stage.
Girl group 2NE1 held their first live concert in a decade this October at Seoul’s Olympic Hall. The 7,000-seat show drew over 400,000 fans vying for tickets, prompting organizers to add another performance. The group has since launched a world tour, with 25 concerts planned across 12 Asian cities through February 2025.
Meanwhile, BIGBANG members G-Dragon, Taeyang, and Daesung reunited under the group’s name for the first time in eight years, performing at the MAMA Awards in Osaka, Japan, last month. The performance, broadcast live to over 200 countries, has amassed more than 29 million views on YouTube.
Other groups are also riding the reunion wave. Boy group B.A.P released a new album in August after a six-year hiatus, while INFINITE returned last year with their first album in five years. Girl group Lovelyz, disbanded in 2021, celebrated their 10th anniversary with a solo concert in Seoul last month. Another girl group, FIESTAR, disbanded in 2018 but re-released a remade version of their debut track, “You’re Pitiful,” in August. The song’s copyright was purchased personally by Chinese member Cao Lu for the re-recording.
The rise of “comeback idols” highlights the broader shifts in K-pop. With the global market expanding, groups now have diverse opportunities to generate revenue through concerts, album sales, and fan events. Social media platforms have also transformed the industry, enabling even smaller groups to maintain close connections with core fans. This has helped draw audiences of 2,000–3,000 people for concerts, both domestically and abroad.
At the same time, industry practices around group names are evolving. Previously, agencies often barred former members from using their group names after contracts expired. Now, groups like GOT7 (formerly under JYP Entertainment), iKON, 2NE1, and BIGBANG (from YG Entertainment) have reached agreements to retain their original names.
“Even if agencies restrict trademark rights, social media allows artists to connect with their core fanbase directly,” an industry insider said. “Maintaining a positive relationship benefits everyone.”
Nostalgia for early 2010s K-pop hits is another factor driving the trend. Music critic Kim Do-heon noted that many returning groups are tied to this period, which produced some of the genre’s most iconic tracks. “Fans want to revisit classics and relive the memories those songs evoke,” Kim said.
