‘4 million followers, third generation chaebol’ Teddy girl group → Will Min Hee-jin’s boy group ‘under the veil’ surpass Blackpink and BTS?

Attention is being paid to whether there will be a K-pop group that surpasses BTS and Blackpink. The Black label, headed by Teddy from the group One Time, is preparing to launch a girl group, and Adore, who created the hit group New Jeans, is preparing to launch a boy group.

First, attention is paid to the so-called ‘Teddy girl group’ that has been heating up the Internet recently. On the 4th, several photos presumed to be trainees from The Black Label, also known as the 'Teddy Girl Group', were released on an internet community.

This photo contains groups of 5 and 7 trainees, and is garnering a lot of attention as it captures the images of actress and model Ella Gross, who belongs to The Black Label, and Moon, known as the maternal granddaughter of Shinsegae Group Chairman Lee Myung-hee.

Ella Gross signed an exclusive contract with The Black Label in 2018, and has been preparing for her debut along with her entertainment industry activities since then. Ella Gross is already a potential star with over 4 million followers and is well known by the nickname 'Little Jenny'. It is said that he has a considerable level of vocal and performance skills as he has already been a trainee for quite a long time.

In particular, the photo attracts attention as it captures Moon, the granddaughter of Shinsegae Chairman Myung-hee Lee and the nephew of Vice Chairman Yong-jin Jeong. It is said that Mr. Moon is so interested in dance and performance that he produced a dance video as a college entrance exam portfolio. Through this connection, Mr. Moon has close relationships with several artists under YG.

It is true that both Ella Gross and Ms. Moon are trainees at The Black label, but it has not been confirmed whether they will debut as a girl group. Ella Gross, who already has more than 4 million followers and a global fan base, and Moon, a third-generation chaebol, are expected to have a huge impact if they debut as part of the Teddy girl group.

Teddy has been preparing to launch a girl group for a long time. Although he has produced most of the hit songs of groups 2NE1 and Blackpink, this is his first time producing a girl group. As they have already proven their capabilities and sense by making 2NE1 and Blackpink's songs mega hits, the industry predicts that if proper member discovery and training are carried out, a girl group better than Blackpink will be born.

Meanwhile, Adore, led by New Jeans' mother Min Hee-jin, is planning to launch a boy group. A large-scale audition has already been conducted since March 2023. At that time, Adore searched for the face of Adore's new boy group in 12 domestic cities and 14 cities in 7 overseas countries, targeting men born between 2004 and 2012.

According to multiple entertainment officials, CEO Min is currently busy setting up and planning a new boy group. However, the project is being carried out in secret, completely hidden from view. As they have pioneered and introduced a new genre through New Jeans, Adore's new boy group is also determined to present to the public with unique plans and concepts that have never been seen before.

Choi Ji-ye, Ten Asia Reporter wisdomart@tenasia.co.kr