Normally, K-pop groups stay with their companies until their contracts expire. But there are cases where groups disband even before their contracts end, sometimes due to controversies or unknown reasons. The K-pop groups below, however, disbanded early due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

6 K-pop Groups That Disbanded Due to COVID-19 Pandemic

NeonPunch

Formed by A100 Entertainment, NeonPunch was a five-piece girl group that debuted in June 2018 with the single "Moonlight." They then made their first comeback in January 2019 with the EP "Watch Out."

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Unfortunately, on Aug. 11, 2020, A100 announced NeonPunch's disbandment, explaining that there were many factors (including the COVID-19 pandemic) that led them to conclude that it will be hard for them to maintain the group.

SPECTRUM

SPECTRUM is another K-pop group that disbanded after their agency was greatly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. They were a six-member boy band under WYNN Entertainment that was launched on May 10, 2018.

After the release of their debut mini-album "Be Bom," they went to drop their first digital single "Dear My," their second EP "Timeless Moment," and their first single album "Refreshing Time." But, on July 10, 2020, SPECTRUM disbanded due to the worsening situation at their company due to reasons including the COVID-19 pandemic.

HINAPIA

HINAPIA was a five-piece girl group under OSR Entertainment that consisted of four former PRISTIN members. They dropped their debut EP "New Start" in November 2019. The title song "Drip" peaked at No. 18 on Billboard's World Digital Song Sales chart, making HINAPIA the only 11th K-pop girl group to land on the chart with a debut song.

READ MORE: 5 K-Pop Groups That Disbanded Too Soon

Although it was reported that they will make a comeback in early 2020, the girl group didn't release anything. It was then announced on Aug. 21,2020 that HINAPIA will disband because of the agency's financial struggles caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

ANS

ANS was an eight-member gil group formed by ANS Entertainment. Their debut took place in September 2016 with their first digital single "BOOM BOOM." They then dropped their second digital single "Say My Name" in January 2010. Sadly, seven months later, ANS disbanded.

Members revealed that due to the financial difficulties of their company caused by the pandemic, the label had laid off a majority of its employees including the group's manager, failed to pay their dorms and transportation, took away their practice room and was unable to manage their schedule.

Moonlight Girls

Moonlight Girls is another K-pop group that had to disband because of the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic to their agency.

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Moonlight Girls was a pre-debut six-piece girl group under NDS Entertainment who promoted their debut song "Go Go Up" at festivals in September 2019. However, they weren't able to make their official debut. They were supposed to do so in June 2020, but their company experienced COVID-19 related complications, and so the group eventually disbanded on Aug. 18 of the same year.

Becz

Becz was a boy group made up of five members. They debuted under H&H Entertainment in March 2020 with the digital single "Into U." Unfortunately, they weren't able to make a comeback because of their agency being extremely negatively affected by the pandemic. As a result, Becz disbanded just six months after their debut.

Do you know other K-pop groups that disbanded due to the COVID-19 pandemic?

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Written by Maria Scott