The legendary "7-Year Curse"—that heart-stopping moment when K-pop groups hit the end of their standard 7-year contracts and often face disbandments, lineup changes, or quiet fades—is getting majorly debunked in 2026. Rooted in old-school exclusive deal limits (thanks, Fair Trade Commission reforms), it used to doom most acts. But now? A powerhouse wave of full-group renewals, smarter negotiations, and unbreakable fandoms are flipping the script. Less than 2% of idol groups (3+ members) debuting since 2005 have renewed as a complete unit even once—yet icons like TWICE, SEVENTEEN, BTS, and fresh wins like ATEEZ are proudly in that elite club, proving longevity is the new standard.
TWICE (debut 2015) keeps rewriting history: All nine members renewed with JYP in 2022, and reports confirm a second renewal around mid-2025, locking in the ONCE magic well into their second decade. No lineup drama, just consistent bops, sold-out tours, and that feel-good energy. They're not surviving—they're thriving, hitting milestones like massive US sales in 2026!
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SEVENTEEN (also 2015) pulled off one of the rarest feats with their massive 13-member crew: full renewal with Pledis in 2021 (early, no less!). With military waves wrapping up and Carat loyalty at peak levels, 2026 renewal talks look promising. Their self-produced creativity, balanced solos, and "One Team" vibe make them unbreakable.
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Add BTS (renewed early in 2018 with better terms, then again in 2023) gearing up for full-group post-enlistment dominance in 2026, Red Velvet (renewed 2021 and still slaying), and ATEEZ's huge July 2025 shock: all eight members re-signed with KQ for a rare full seven more years! That's commitment—pushing them toward 2032 as one unit.
Why the glow-up? Idols now negotiate like pros—fairer profit splits, creative control, solo side hustles without ditching the group. Global fandoms (shoutout ONCE, Carats, ARMY, ATINY!) pour in billions via streams, merch, and stadiums, making companies beg to keep the magic alive longer. Renewals stretch 3–7 years now, with early extensions becoming the smart move.
The curse isn't gone—2026 brings renewal drama for others (looking at you, some 2019 debuts)—but for these trailblazers, it's officially a thing of the past. They're stacking wins into second (and third!) decades, showing K-pop's golden era is built to last.
Which unbreakable group's story hypes you the most? Spill in the comments—we're celebrating these legends together! 💖💎🏴☠️ #BreakTheCurse #KpopLongevity #TWICE #SEVENTEEN #ATEEZ #BTS #ONCE #Carat #ATINY
