Just Found Out: 4minute Disbands

Another one also bites the dust..........

So 4minute disbanded, making them the second second-generation girl group to disband, the first being KARA (and miss A is definitely next). They're disbandment is a surprise, since it was unexpected considering there's no scandals or issues that led up to this, unlike Hyunseung with his behavior issues leading up to him leaving B2ST and going solo. Popularity-wise, it doesn't make sense considering most of their songs became hits (wide public recognition) and were not even near failing. Although their recent comeback with "Hate" didn't do well, "Crazy" did great last year and they're a pretty strong group.

Out of all the members, Hyuna only one to renew her contract with CUBE. This makes most of us curious about the other members, since there has been no scandals and are known for being close.

I found out about the news the same time everyone else did, but I waited to put my input in case something like an explanation might come up. I didn't get an explanation, but I got something else: all of the other members unfollowed Hyuna on Instagram. They're still following each other, but Hyuna is no longer on their follow list. This lead me to speculate what the hell happened. Personally, I thought that they're contract ended and only Hyuna was offered a contract renewal. That's fucked up, but not really surprising since Hyuna is CUBE's cash cow. However, CUBE could've done the same thing Stardom Entertainment done to EvoL (Stardom blindsided and canceled the contracts of all the members except for Say, keeping her in the company). This suggests that Hyuna had something to do with this, whether it was a direct or indirect influence.

DIRECT

• There could be discord between the group due to the popularity gap between Hyuna and the members, similar to the situation of Suzy & miss A
• The rest of group probably wanted to stay together and just change companies since all of them weren't given contracts, but Hyuna didn't and renewed her contract without them.

INDIRECT

• Again: Hyuna's popularity. It could've caused uncertainty between the members. It's hard to feel like a group when one member is the absolute star. In all groups, there's gonna be a member that's the most popular, but if the popularity gap is huge, it disrupts the group as a whole. The popular one will get CF deals, variety show appearances, and regardless of their acting skills, roles in dramas and movies. This would mean less group activities/schedules and neglected members.
• Hyuna's popularity could've also influenced CUBE's decision to only offer her a contract renewal. Plus, with everything happening with the second generation girl groups, CUBE could've thought that 4minute could've been a really risky investment. 

I don't blame Hyuna for her decision to renew her contract. I'm actually surprised she didnt leave the group earlier and that the group didnt disband earlier. Hyuna and the members might have been close, but you have to remember that they're in the entertainment industry and have to secure their status and position in it. Basically: career first, friendship/love second. Also, the popularity gap is unhealthy for groups and can lead to passive aggressiveness, jealousy, bullying, and emotional discord between group members. As a 4minute fan, the disbandment is upsetting, but this will give the members a chance to be seen outside of Hyuna's shadow.

MEMBERS AFTER DISBANDMENT

• Hyuna: she's signed with CUBE, so she'll continue as a solo artist. Since Hyunseung and her are now solos, there will probably be a a Troublemaker comeback to make up the loss of 4minute. Troublemaker will also be able to promote more now since there's no longer activities they have to attend to for their [former] respective groups.
• Gayoon: Singing and fashion.She loooovveeesss fashion, and so she'll definitely go into modeling and probably art design as well. She might not become a solo Kpop singer and have typical comebacks, but she'll definitely do OSTs at least. She can also do 2Yoon, 4minute's subunit with her and Jiyoon. They've only had a one-time promotion (which was their debut) so it would be nice for them to come back.
• Jiyoon: 2Yoon; I see her pulling a Hyorin and having a rap career on the side. I feel like she'll be a soloist or her and Gayoon would be completely committed to 2yoon and be an actual group and not just a subunit (PLEASE).
• Jihyun: She'll be doing the same thing she was doing during 4minute--being a pretty face. Her singing and dancing aren't special, though her most valuable asset in the industry is her face. She'll definitely do modeling and will most likely try to go into acting. Personally, I don't think she'll be that great and will start off by taking supporting roles.
• Sohyun: Baby Sohyun........ I'm most worried for her. In the industry, there's nothing really for her to accomplish at the level she did when she was in 4minute.  Her singing is good, but outside of Hyuna and Jiyoon, I don't think any of the members have the star power to become soloists. Her dancing is great, but I doubt she wants to become a back-up dancer. Her modeling is really awkward, since her face is really baby-ish and doesn't really fit the image she's trying to portray. If she does go into modeling, it would have to be for children's clothes since her face is pure cuteness. Plus, the superficial korean general public thinks she's "ugly". But then again, they think CL is ugly so their perspective isn't that valid.  Most likely, I think she'll go into training again and debut in another group. She was already in one in 2005 called Orange, but the group later disbanded. She later joined 4minute and trained with them, being Soyu's replacement. (Yes, SISTAR's Soyu. The butterfly effect in group members are sooooo strong in K-Pop!).
• Out of all the members, I'm most certain about Hyuna's future. For the other members, I have a slight hope that they'll just be 4minute in another company. It wouldn't be a huge issue since Hyuna left them and she's not the one being ostracized. Plus, without Hyuna there would be 4 members, making the name 4minute make more sense.

I wish all of the members good luck and I hope they do well in their desired pursuits.