All About Subunits And Why They Are Formed

What are subunits?

Subunits are smaller groups within a group. Depending on the group, they can either be permanent or only have a debut,. They can be duos, or have many members. It all depends on the situation.

How can subunits be used?

To explore this question, let’s look at a handful of groups:

1. NCT

(Lodhi, 2024)

NCT is a group that was designed specifically to have subunits, as it consists of 25 members who are broken down into smaller subunits. In a way, each subunit (NCT 127, NCT Dream, WayV, NCT Wish, NCT U) acts as, and is treated as an individual group, and this is apparent in the way the members act. The members of each of the subunits feel like friends, whereas all of the members of NCT feel more like coworkers. The only difference between these subunits and other groups is that NCT U rotates members, whereas NCT 127, NCT Dream, WayV, and NCT Wish are fixed groups, which seems to be the only reason why NCT is not permanently divided into its subunits to act as individual groups. 

2. EXO

(Kstationtv, 2023)

EXO has a clever way of using subunits, as they are incorporated into EXO’s concept and were used to further the EXO storyline. EXO originally consisted of two subunits, EXO-M and EXO-K. In EXO’s lore, it is said that the subunits were created after the Tree of Life was split to protect it. These original subunits later became inactive as their story permitted, and the units to come together to promote as a whole group. Additionally, EXO also used and is currently using subunits as a way to target different markets. For their original subunits, they would always release two versions of each track, a Chinese version by EXO-M and a Korean version by EXO-K. Currently, EXO has two subunits (EXO-CBX and EXO-SC), which are used to explore different styles and give the members more musical freedom.

3. Mamamoo

(Kpopworld, 2025)

Mamamoo has a complicated history when it comes to company and contract changes. In 2021, Wheein left RBW, Mamamoo’s parent company, and in 2023, Hwasa left as well. The remaining two members still under RBW formed a subunit called Mamamoo +. In Mamamoo’s case, the subunit was formed for logistical reasons. This is because RBW could no longer list Mamamoo as exclusive artists, once two of the members left, so they formed Mamamoo +, where both of the members still had exclusive contracts with RBW so that they could be listed as a exclusive artist. 

Personally, I understand why they did this, but I’m not particularly for it. First, it could easily confuse fans since the name is so similar to “Mamamoo”. They might go into Mamamoo + expecting all four members only to be let down. Additionally, it felt like a last-ditch effort to milk the “Mamamoo” brand for all its worth. I would have preferred if Moonbyul and Solar were originally given the freedom to explore their solo work, with the members coming back as Mamamoo when they felt it was right. Mamamoo + should have never happened, and if Moonbyul and Solar did want to make a subunit, it should have been their choice, and RBW should have put in the effort on their side, which was seemed to be non existent in what we got, with the girls having to lead the charge in their promotions. 

I know this is a bit of a tangent, but as a fan, I 100% believe that Mamamoo is not going anywhere, even if it might be a while before we get an OT4 comeback. The members love Mamamoo just as much as moomoos, and I have no doubt that they will come back as a group when they are ready.