It’s nearly two years since Kep1er debuted, and we think they still have more to show and the potential to be a huge group. The Mnet survival show girl group is about to end their contracts in July 2024, but that might not push through with recent news circulating. The girl group might continue as Kep1er, and here’s what you may have missed. Of course, fans have their say about it, too, so stick around here with us.
Agencies Began The Discussions About The Members’ Contracts
If you’ve been a fan of K-pop for a long time, passing through Mnet’s survival shows, it’s a no-brainer that the winners form a temporary group. They are bound in a two and a half years of contract that would allow them to bond, work, and promote as a group. Now that the Girls Planet 999 group, Kep1er, is nearing its end, WAKEONE Entertainment has reportedly met with the representative companies of the members to discuss their contract extension.
https://twitter.com/Kep1erUpdated/status/1705024952154374319?t=_x-xljXtRyPLqNQqMD59PQ&s=19
- All the girl group members are currently not part of any active groups or are reportedly debuting in a new one. So, most likely, and hopefully, a contract extension would happen.
- This discussion of contract extension also happened during Produce 101’s WANNAONE and Produce 48’s IZ*ONE, but unfortunately, it did not materialize. About the latter, while most of the members’ companies greenlit the decision, Starship Entertainment, who manages An Yujin and Jang Wonyoung, disagreed. It was because the two members were slated to debut with the four Starship trainees at the time — and now, the fourth-gen group, IVE.
During the 2023 MAMA Awards last November 28, Kep1er tore the stage with their performance of Grand Prix and won the Favorite Asian Girl Group award. Fans couldn’t help but feel proud and emotional with their possible last attendance of MAMA as a group. They slayed and delivered goods from their stage, NGL.
they knew to leave their last mama with a bang kep1er you will be so missed pic.twitter.com/Y4NCH9Pahl
— ⚜️is in sync love ఌ︎ (@passiontopia) November 28, 2023
kep1er winning favourite asian girl group award.. on their last mama
let me cry for a moment pic.twitter.com/3TraXe599z— 채채 아기🐻 (@chaehyun_bby) November 28, 2023
- As of this writing, WAKEONE Entertainment recently reported that most agencies agreed with the contract extension’s purpose. We are yet to know the official and confirmed decisions once their discussions end sometime at the end of the year. We hope to see more of Kep1er!
Fans React To Kep1er’s Possible Contract Extension
The 2023 MAMA Awards performance of Kep1er ignited the discussion about disbandment and contract extension. It was evident how the group prepared for their stage, and honestly, we were in awe during their whole routine. The members shone and showcased their talents, and we loved it!
kep1er dominated mama pic.twitter.com/b8ua0i664R
— cece ◡̈ෆ • gehlee | #1 hiyyih lover (@iHYUBAS) November 28, 2023
kep1er really going out with one of the best performances in mama history
— ⚜️is in sync love ఌ︎ (@passiontopia) November 28, 2023
On the other hand, some took it as a sign that the girl group might be bidding their goodbyes to the MAMA Awards. For the last post of their performance, the LED screen flashed “Mission Complete,” which could mean anything. But others took it as Kep1er’s last hurrah as a group attending the award show.
kep1er saying their last goodbyes to MAMA 🙁 <3 pic.twitter.com/QUC6YW3jPL
— marie 🎀 (@kep1smt) November 28, 2023
-star di ending stage kep1er di mama tadi ada tulisan "mission complete" soalnya it's their last mama stage😭😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/N0BUXy8dmy
— Starfess || CEK PINNED UNTUK KIRIM MENFESS (@starfess) November 28, 2023
Mission complete 😭 this is their last stage at MAMA isn’t it? But they ends it powerfully. Thank you kep1er, I try to hold my cry for now. Ps: dayeon xiaoting youngeun slay the ending fairy 🤍#Kep1er #케플러#MAMA2023 #MAMAAWARDS #2023MAMAAWARDS pic.twitter.com/kquprhatcR
— uwa. (@adiibdibdib) November 28, 2023
Fans have gotten emotional at the thought of the girl group’s MAMA attendance just ended. After the day one of the music award show ended, fans shared their sentiments on X, that it’s just sinking in that this could be the last stage of Kep1er in the MAMA Awards.
the realisation is just hitting. this is really kep1er’s last mama stage as a group how am i supposed to live with this information?
— kAy! HIYYIH DAY (@starhaozz) November 28, 2023
https://twitter.com/j1m1nsbff/status/1729652987163713717?t=fniY1WJFZzuj58oIGfF7Jg&s=19
I SAW SOMEONE SAYING FIRST AND LAST MAMA OF KEP1ER YOU GUYS ARE MESSED UP FOR THAT
— eun ! .𖥔 ݁ ˖ (@sty4xx) November 28, 2023
Subsequently, Keplians are also back in hoping for a contract renewal or extension for the nine girls. They wish for them to stay a little longer as a group.
https://twitter.com/19heejin/status/1729578606223933453?t=N_5twdeKboj7X6KZrWZvgg&s=19
praying for kep1er renewed contract please please please please please please please please please please please
— (o_O) (@hiyyoyo) November 29, 2023
I really hope Kep1er can get an extension
It’s the best option for them— 𝓐𝓶𝓪𝓻𝓪𝓱 🌸 (@Amarahhh__) November 28, 2023
Some expect that if it ever pushes through, the girls might want to transfer to a different company to be given the treatment that they deserve. We also believe that Kep1er has much potential, individually and as a group, and WAKEONE Entertainment should act and treat them better. They should know how to take care of their artists well.
a kep1er contract renewal but under a different company 🙏 https://t.co/mGUh05Mj4k
— 𝐴𝑙𝑖𝑒 𝑖𝑠 𝑖𝑛 𝑠𝑦𝑛𝑐 𝑙𝑜𝑣𝑒 ఌ︎ (@lvlykaruu) November 23, 2023
PLEASE and under a different company. They deserve so much better. https://t.co/ghspdXEm4L
— Kwo 🏹 (@Kwooluvsu) September 22, 2023
We will wait for the decision, and we hope it’s a good one for Kep1er. Nonetheless, we congratulate the girl group for a successful MAMA Awards performance and their win, too!
