Can you believe we're already heading toward the end of 2022? It felt like yesterday when we were ringing in the new year. With the fourth quarter of 2022 underway, we only have three more months left in the year! It's a great time of the year, as we're heading towards some of the best holiday seasons of Thanksgiving and Christmas, but it's also important to note that a new year is just around the corner. 

A new year means great things, but it's another year where many groups are due for contract renewals. It's definitely a nerve-wracking time as groups decide whether they want to continue to stay in the agency and promote as a group, or it's time to part ways and begin their journey on their solo careers. The typical k-pop contract lasts for seven years, so groups debuting in 2016 will face their contract renewals next year.

Let's take a look at which groups are the ones that will be going through this uncertain yet necessary process, and make sure to let us know your thoughts on if you think they will stay together or depart ways.

ASTRO

Can you believe it's already been seven years since ASTRO's debut? Fans are curious as to if the group will re-sign -- the individual members have seen a lot of success, but fans aren't sure if they will continue to stick together as a full group.

BLACKPINK

BLACKPINK recently returned with their second full-length album, and the ladies are pretty much the reining queens of K-pop, domestically and internationally. Will they continue their legacy, or will these girls shift their careers and focus more on their respective solo careers?

NCT

NCT is also subject to contract renewal in 2023, and this SM boy group has been a powerhouse for gen-z k-pop lovers! Fans are hopeful for a contract renewal, and SM usually does a fantastic job regarding contract renewals -- or at least... recently, they have!

SF9

SF9 is heading toward their seventh year of promotions as well, and though it's later in 2023, fans are already curious as to how they will continue their paths in careers!

VICTON

VICTON will also face contract renewal, as this year is already their sixth year in promotions. Though they have a steady fanbase, fans are uncertain of contract renewals, but the good news is it is not until towards the end of 2023. 

MOMOLAND

MOMOLAND saw massive success in 2018 with their hit track "BBOOM BBOOM," but it's been a pretty quiet ride for these ladies since then. They had a few member changes since then, and fans are uncertain of MOMOLAND's future.

Brave Girls

Brave Girls belatedly saw their success during the COVID-19 era with their hit song "Rollin," and it seems as if these ladies are just getting started. After competing in "Queendom 2," they went on their first US tour successfully, so fans would not be surprised if they all renewed!

WJSN

The ten ladies of WJSN will be facing contract renewal in early 2023, and even after winning "Queendom 2" and having a fire summer comeback with "Last Sequence," fans aren't certain that all ten members will re-sign. 

PENTAGON

Another group that is at the center of attention for contract renewal is PENTAGON. It is uncertain if the group will all re-sign, but fans are hopeful that the Pentagon legacy will continue. 

There are quite a few groups facing this tough time, and all fans can do is wait and be hopeful that things work out for the best. Sometimes, it may be better that the group does not renew and they branch out to their solo careers. It really depends on the scenario, and it is a case-by-case situation. Whatever the situation, we hope these stars can have a great promotion year in 2023, and we wish them the best of luck as they stand in the veteran line of the k-pop industry!

What are your thoughts on this list? Did we miss out on another group that is subject to contract renewal in 2023? What group(s) do you think will re-sign, and what group(s) do you think won't? Make sure to let us know in the comments below!