fromis_9 revealed last week that their exclusive contracts with Pledis Entertainment will expire on December 31, 2024. Though the group joined Pledis Entertainment in 2021, the company has been supporting fromis_9 even before their 2018 debut. From their pre-debut days dancing to “Glass Shoes” in Pledis Entertainment’s practice room to becoming a HYBE Labels group that quickly topped charts with “Supersonic,” fromis_9’s relationship with Pledis Entertainment runs deeper than many may expect. 

Pledis Entertainment’s Pre-Debut Involvement 

The Mnet survival show Idol School formed fromis_9’s original lineup of Saerom, Hayoung, Gyuri, Jiwon, Jisun, Seoyeon, Chaeyoung, Nagyung, and Jiheon on September 29, 2017. CJ ENM, Mnet’s parent company, placed Stone Music Entertainment in charge of fromis_9, and wanted Pledis Entertainment’s founder, Han Sungsoo, to produce for the group. The members unveiled their first performance at the 2017 Mnet Asian Music Awards with their pre-debut single “Glass Shoes,” written by Pledis Entertainment music producer BUMZU. Its lyrics were written by singer-songwriter Sophiya, songwriter Michelle Cho, and Kyulkyung and Yuha of PRISTIN—Pledis Entertainment’s rookie girl group at the time. PRISTIN’s members taught Saerom, Seoyeon, and Nakyung choreography when they covered their debut song “WEE WOO” on Idol School. 

As evidenced by choreography videos, fromis_9 would also end up sharing practice rooms with other Pledis Entertainment artists like SEVENTEEN and NU’EST. Starting from “Glass Shoes,” fromis_9 would use Pledis Entertainment’s dance rooms to practice their moves. Although not officially a Pledis Entertainment artist at that point, fromis_9 seemed like one in all but name. The group would officially debut on January 24, 2018, with the title track “To Heart.” 

Moving Companies

Even when fromis_9 moved companies from Stone Music Entertainment to OFF THE RECORD ENTERTAINMENT in September 2019, BUMZU remained an important producer for fromis_9’s sound. Producers from BUMZU’s company, PRISMFILTER Music Group, such as Lee Kiyong (also known under the name ANCHOR), Park Kitae, and Shannon Bae (formerly PRISTIN’s Sungyeon), featured prominently in fromis_9’s discography. fromis_9 eventually moved to Pledis Entertainment when OFF THE RECORD ENTERTAINMENT underwent “label reorganization” in August 2021. fromis_9’s first comeback under Pledis Entertainment quickly showed that the group could still see success, withsingle “Talk & Talk” earning them their first music show win on September 7, 2021. 

fromis_9’s rising popularity would continue while promoting their Midnight Guest and from our Memento Box EPs, the latter being the group’s last nine-member release before Gyuri’s departure in July 2022. fromis_9 underwent a year-long music hiatus before their first album, Unlock My World. They did, however, get to hold their first ever concert in Seoul’s KBS Arena in September 2022, signifying their fandom growth. The group held their second concert, FROM NOW, in front of over 4,500 fans at Jangchung Arena in January 2024.   

Present and Future Activities

Fromis_9’s latest title track, “Supersonic,” has remained hot on domestic charts months after release. The song, which came out in August, sits at 20 on the MelOn Top 100 Chart as of December 3. Snow falling onto the ground has not stopped this summer song’s popularity. Even if fromis_9’s journey under Pledis Entertainment is nearing its end, they are going out on a high note. 

According to the company’s statement on Weverse, fromis_9 will release a fan song on December 23. It will come out eight days before their contracts expire. Pledis Entertainment nor the members themselves have clarified any specifics about the group’s “future endeavors.” Regardless of what that future looks like, fromis_9 can feel proud of the success they have achieved in their career.

Edited by Clark Royandoyan