6 K-pop groups who have re-formed or returned: Got7, Girls’ Generation, Viviz, Highlight, T-ara and Dreamcatcher
- K-pop groups are known for line-up changes, adding new members, going on hiatus and leaving their labels
- These groups have re-formed after disbanding, changing labels, or following legal wrangles with their former labels, or returned after a long break
The careers of many K-pop groups contain highs and lows, and things aren’t always straightforward.
From returning after hiatus to a complete rebranding, here are some K-pop groups who are famous for re-forming or adding members.
Dreamcatcher
Formed in 2017, seven-member Dreamcatcher won over hearts as a rockish K-pop girl group. With dedicated followers around the world, Dreamcatcher have carved out their own sizeable niche.
Their success came after an earlier start for five of the members as Minx in 2015. The act later re-debuted under the new name and with two additional members, Handong and Gahyeon.
Girls’ Generation
Perhaps less dramatic than what happened to some of the other K-pop groups on this list, Girls’ Generation have had to wait five years since their previous album, their 10th anniversary tie-in Holiday Night, before returning with a new album, Forever 1.
The Girls are back!: Girls’ Generation to release first album in five years
One of a handful of K-pop groups to remain active for 15 years without any true break-up, their lengthy hiatus had fans cheering for Girls’ Generation’s return with a full line-up.
When three of the eight members of the group parted ways with their label SM Entertainment, the remaining five performed as a Girls’ Generation sub-group called Oh!GG.
GOT7
Highlight
While Highlight have made a name for themselves since their debut, Plz Don’t Be Sad, in 2017, they’ve actually been together since 2009, initially as the group Beast.
As a six-member group, Beast created hit after hit in the early part of the previous decade and took K-pop by storm. After parting ways with their label, Cube Entertainment, in 2016 they were unable to keep using the name Beast.
They now perform as four-member Highlight, having formed their own label, Around Us Entertainment, and released an LP, Daydream, in March.
T-ara
Popular for a series of dance hits since they formed in 2009, T-ara’s line-up has included more than 10 women at various points in an up-and-down career.
The group’s four remaining members left their former label, MBK Entertainment, in 2018, and spent much of that year fighting a legal battle for the right to use the group’s name.
After winning a court case that set a precedent for members of other K-pop acts, rather than their former labels, to retain the rights to their group name, T-ara held a reunion performance in 2020, and released two songs in 2021.
Viviz
Special mention: 2NE1 and Sistar
These four-member girl groups came together in 2022: 2NE1 at Coachella, and Sistar on a recent television show – performing for the first time since disbanding over five years ago.
Although they have no formal plans, their reunions were well received, with fans eagerly welcoming their return.
