Every few months, the same topic bubbles up on fan timelines: “renewals.” And with more groups quietly approaching major contract anniversaries—and ONEUS’ recent lineup change still fresh in people’s minds—the wider “what happens next?” chatter is back in full force.
That’s when you’ll see the phrase “7-year curse” start trending again. In fandom shorthand, it’s the point where a lot of teams either renew, restructure, take a long pause, or call it quits. But the key thing fans sometimes miss is this: seven years isn’t magic. It’s tied to regulation and industry practice around the K-pop 7 year contract.
The law behind the number: why seven years became the norm
Back in the day, idol contracts were notorious for being long and punishing. As criticism grew, industry standards shifted. Around 2009, guidance tied to Korea’s Fair Trade Commission-style standard contract recommendations pushed agencies away from ultra-long exclusive terms and toward agreements that cap—or effectively normalize—the “seven-year” window.
Still, “seven years” doesn’t mean every contract looks identical. Some artists renew early. Some negotiate shorter extensions instead of re-upping for another full cycle. And some split things up—group promotions under one set of terms, solo activities under another.
The case that changed everything: TVXQ’s 2009 lawsuit
The moment fans cite most is TVXQ’s legal battle. On July 31, 2009, Jaejoong, Junsu, and Yoochun filed a lawsuit against SM Entertainment seeking to end their reported 13-year exclusive contracts—a dispute often revisited in deep dives like this breakdown of K-pop contract law and damages clauses.
The claims most commonly repeated in industry conversation—overwork, unfair profit allocation, and heavy penalties for early termination—have been summarized again and again in retrospectives, including a long-form fan-compiled timeline of the dispute. The case became a major reference point in the “slave contract” debate and added pressure for reforms that shaped modern norms.
“Seven years” became a symbol because it’s the point where leverage shifts—and idols can finally renegotiate what their careers look like.
Quick facts fans get wrong about renewals
- Contract end doesn’t automatically equal disbandment. Most of the time, it’s the start of a new round of negotiations—money, scheduling, and the group’s long-term plan.
- Military service doesn’t magically “pause” everything. Groups can plan around enlistment, but contracts and renewals don’t follow one universal formula.
- A group can survive even if members change agencies. But it depends on trademark and brand rights—who controls the name, logos, and the ability to greenlight official group releases.
What renewal talks actually look like inside an agency
Renewals aren’t just about a group saying “we’re staying together.” They’re business negotiations. Think revenue splits (music, touring, merch), recoupment, and how much the company participates across the artist’s career—the kind of “360-style” structure discussed in entertainment law analysis like research on how modern K-pop deals are structured.
And then come the human terms. Creative control. Comeback frequency. Tour intensity. Health breaks that are actually respected. Increasingly, groups also explore mixed setups: a “group contract” for team activities, plus separate solo deals—or shorter renewals (like three years) to keep options open.
Case study map: three common outcomes at year seven
1) Renew and scale up
Some teams re-sign with improved terms and a clearer long-range plan. BTS is often used as the headline example here; they renewed with BigHit for additional years, a timeline covered in reporting on their renewal. SEVENTEEN also gets brought up in “early renewal” conversations—locking in stability now, with a later decision point down the line.
2) Leave agencies but keep the group
This is the outcome fans root for when they want independence without losing the team. GOT7 became the modern reference: members signed with different companies, but kept the group identity alive—something highlighted in explainers like this look at how their negotiations shifted expectations. Highlight is another example fans cite when talking about rebuilding after leaving an original agency.
3) Disband, pause, or rebrand
And sometimes, it really does end—at least as an active group. Maybe members can’t align on timing, terms, or rights. Maybe priorities change. GFRIEND is a name that still comes up whenever “why K-pop groups disband” debates flare back up.
What to watch next as more groups hit renewal season
If you’re tracking the next wave, pay attention to the small tells. Early re-sign announcements. Shifts in management credits. Agency statements that suddenly lean hard on words like “support” and “future activities.” Even trademark filings can hint at whether a group is planning for a shared future—or preparing for a clean break.
Now that mixed models are more common (group deal here, solo freedom there), fans may see fewer all-or-nothing endings. Which renewal path do you prefer for your favorites: stability under one label, or independence with occasional full-group comebacks?
