A common theme in K-Pop that has grown throughout the years is the debut of many sub-units. Many groups from all generations have released mini-groups that make their own music. The majority of the sub-units that we K-Pop fans know of come from groups in the third generation. Some examples would be sub-unit PRISTIN V, and LOONA 1/3. With that being said, let’s take it back to some iconic sub-units from the third generation.

EXO-CBX

On October 31, 2016, SM Entertainment released a sub-unit titled EXO-CBX. The group consisted of three members from the very popular SM Entertainment boy group EXO. The group consisted of three members Baekhyun, Xiumin, and Chen. Their debut track “Hey Mama!” was on their first album titled Hey Mama! (The 1st Mini Album) EP. The three talented members blew us away with their amazing vocal abilities on the EP and left us wanting more. When they released their iconic title track “Blooming Day” on their album Blooming Days - The 2nd Mini Album, many K-Pop fans, specifically EXO-Ls, were blown away by the powerful vocalizations from the sub-unit. The way they were able to bring in the R&B styling used in EXO’s discography was the cherry on top for many listeners. It definitely made everyone excited to listen to more of EXO-CBX.

NCT U

There’s no way we can talk about sub-units without bringing up NCT. NCT which stands for Neo Culture Technology is another SM Entertainment group. The group is made up of now five different sub-units with 20 members in total. The five sub-units are NCT U, NCT 127, NCT Dream, WayV, and now DOJAEJUNG. Today we will talk specifically about NCT U. The group debuted on April 9, 2016, with the title track “The 7th Sense.” This song was something new to the K-Pop scene. The hard-hitting bass in the beginning, accompanied by the red scenery had us all at the edge of our seats. The unit includes members Taeyong, Doyoung, Ten, Jaehyun, and Mark. The concept of NCT is that the group will continue to grow and grow. NCT U has released many songs throughout the years with the members changing with each comeback. It is a concept that changed the way we all look at sub-units today.

BSS (부석순) (SEVENTEEN)

In 2018, Pledis Entertainment released a small sub-unit titled BSS(부석순)(SEVENTEEN) also known as BOOSEOKSOON. The group name is a combination of the three members' names together. Boo is for the member Boo Seungkwan also known as Seungkwan. Seok is for the member Lee Seokmin also known as DK, and Soon for the member Kwon Soonyoung also known as the tiger himself Hoshi. This fun energetic sub-unit puts a smile on all our faces every time they come together to release a song. BSS was supposed to be a one-time sub-unit for an event they were having at the time, but because of the overwhelming amount of love this one-time sub-unit received, they turned into a permanent group. On March 21, 2018, the sub-unit debuted with their title track "Just Do It (거침없이).” Now while they don’t release music as much, every time they do it brings CARATS around the world together to sing and dance along.

JUS2

GOT7 is the definition of R&B and pop coming together to make fantastic music. Thankfully for IGOT7 (Ahgases), we were ecstatic to learn that JYP Entertainment was going to debut a sub-unit called JUS2. The group consisted of two members, GOT7 leader JB, and dance machine Yugyeom. The sub-unit debuted on March 9, 2019, with their mini-album FOCUS. The six-song EP was able to give us our slow jams and our upbeat dance-alongs all in one. JUS2's alternative R&B and contemporary title track “FOCUS ON ME” had us all singing and dancing along with JB and Yugyeom. This debut will definitely go down in history as an iconic song that everyone knows and loves. This sub-unit left IGOT7 and many K-Pop listeners grasping for more.

Edited by Vivian N.