These K-Pop Groups Changed Their Names Before Achieving Success

Kapanlagi.com - K-Pop groups usually debut with names given by their respective agencies, and within those names, there are usually hopes to be achieved. Not only that, but the name also helps the group find its character and unique traits, so that fans can recognize their idols.

Usually, these names are carefully prepared by the agencies. So, agencies don't just give names randomly when debuting a K-Pop group. Sometimes, the name also determines the packaging of the songs, marketing strategies, colors, and other iconic elements of the group.

However, what if the name suddenly changes in the middle of their career? This phenomenon is rare but possible. In Korea, there are several K-Pop groups that have changed their names, including:

1. Highlight

Highlight (Credit: Instagram/Highlight_dnpn)

One of the K-Pop groups that changed their name in the middle of their music career is Highlight. This group consists of four members. However, initially, this group consisted of six members. Two members had to leave Highlight in 2016 and 2019. 

At the beginning of their debut, they were introduced as B2ST which is pronounced as BEAST. After that, before their debut, the agency decided to establish the name of this boy group as BEAST under the management of Cube Entertainment. They changed their name again to Highlight in 2016 under their new agency, Around Us Entertainment.

2. TREASURE

TREASURE (Credit: Instagram/yg_treasure_official)

The next K-Pop group is TREASURE which also changed their name in the middle of their career. TREASURE is one of the groups formed from the survival show Treasure Box which was held at the end of 2018. The announcement of the full lineup was made at the end of January 2019, where YG Entertainment created two sub-groups named TREASURE and MAGNUM, and the main group named TREASURE13.

The lineup and name of this group changed because one member decided to terminate their contract with YG Entertainment. This member came from the sub-group MAGNUM. Due to this, the agency eventually merged them into one with the name TREASURE.

3. BLACKSWAN

BLACKSWAN (Credit: Instagram/blackswan__official)

BLACKSWAN, this female vocal group also had a different name before deciding to continue their career with that name. This Idol Group was formed in 2010 under the management of DR Music, where they debuted under the name Rania.

They changed their name several times due to line-up changes. In 2015, they changed their group name to Black Pearl Rania. In 2019, they returned with the name Rania and finally debuted again in 2020 with the name BLACKSWAN with the addition of two new members.

4. Dreamcatcher

Dreamcatcher(Credit: Instagram/hf_dreamcatcher)

The next K-Pop group that also changed their name during their career is Dreamcatcher. This girl group debuted in 2017, precisely on January 13, 2017, under the management of HappyFace Entertainment. The agency has now changed its name to Dreamcatcher Company.

During their first debut, they did not immediately use the name Dreamcatcher, but were known as MINX. At the end of 2016, the agency announced a re-debut that MINX would undergo with the addition of new members and a new name change to Dreamcatcher. They carried out this re-debut at the beginning of 2017.

5. ONEWE

ONEWE (Credit: Instagram/Official_Onewe)

The next K-Pop group that has changed its name is the boy group ONEWE. This boy group was formed in 2015. Since its formation, the group has had five members under the management of Modern Music.

They eventually moved agencies and came under the management of Rainbow Bridge World Company in 2017, and made their re-debut in 2018. Previously, they had the name M.A.S 0094 (MAKE A SOUND 0094), but they changed their name to ONEWE when they re-debuted.

Those were some South Korean groups that have changed their names throughout their music careers. There are many reasons for changing names, from major lineup changes to agency transfers. So, do you prefer the old names of the groups or the new ones, KLovers?

Written by: Muhammad Ancah

(kpl/jje/mag)