Many K-pop chart-toppers who joined Psy’s P Nation in recent years are struggling to replicate the success they once enjoyed. Music critics point to Psy’s involvement in his artists’ music production and the current trend in music which shows a decline in the popularity of solo dance singers. P Nation, a small entertainment agency founded by Psy after he left YG Entertainment in 2018, quickly gained attention largely due to the "Gangnam Style" singer's global fame.
The agency signed several big-name K-pop artists including Jessi, HyunA, Heize, and more recently, Hwasa. These artists, known for their unique styles and performances, had all topped the local music charts. Since joining P Nation, however, most have not achieved the same level of success.
Only Jessi reached new career heights at P Nation with her 2020 single "Nunu Nana," which peaked at No. 2 on the Gaon Digital Chart. But her next song, "What Type of X," released in 2021 did not do as well -- only reaching No.
7 on the same music chart. Other artists, too, have fallen short of their previous successes. Pop culture critic Kim Do-heon believes that P Nation is not effectively producing music that highlights each artist’s individuality.
In Hwasa’s case, for example, her previous hits under RBW -- "Twit" (2019), which reached No. 1 on the Gaon Digital Chart, and "Maria" (2020), which peaked at No. 6 on Billboard’s World Digital Song Sales -- were major successes in her solo career.
However, Hwasa’s rece.
