The comeback announcement of EVERGLOW after a 2-year hiatus has unexpectedly become the center of controversy online. Rather than excitement over new music, discussions have been dominated by unresolved disputes and long-standing concerns surrounding the group’s management and reputation. Now operating as a 4-member act after leaving their former agency, EVERGLOW recently confirmed the release of a new mini album titled CODE, scheduled for March 3, 2026. However, the announcement has been met with mixed—and in some cases hostile—reactions from international fans.
The backlash partly stems from the group’s overseas tour at the end of 2025, which was organized amid sensitive international circumstances. A portion of global fans criticized the decision, arguing that the timing was inappropriate. As a result, some netizens have openly stated they “cannot celebrate” the comeback and even called for a boycott. This signals noticeable damage to EVERGLOW’s international fanbase, which has historically been their strongest market compared to domestic popularity in South Korea.
Debuting in March 2019 under Yuehua Entertainment, EVERGLOW was once considered one of the most promising Gen 4 girl groups. The original lineup—E:U, Sihyeon, Mia, Onda, Aisha, and Yiren—quickly gained traction with their girl-crush concept and high-energy tracks such as Bon Bon Chocolat, Adios, and Dun Dun. Their music videos amassed hundreds of millions of YouTube views, an impressive feat for a group outside the Big 4 system. During 2019–2020, some international fans even dubbed them a “rival” to BLACKPINK due to similarities in powerful concepts and global-oriented strategies.
In reality, however, the gap between the two groups remained significant. While BLACKPINK maintained strong domestic and international influence, EVERGLOW struggled to secure consistent digital chart performance in Korea. Compared to contemporaries like ITZY and (G)I-DLE, EVERGLOW’s domestic chart results were modest.
From late 2021 onward, the group’s momentum began to stall. A prolonged hiatus of nearly two years led to a noticeable cooling of public interest, particularly as newer Gen 4 powerhouses such as IVE, NewJeans, and aespa surged to dominance. In the fast-moving K-pop industry, extended inactivity often translates to being replaced in public attention.
Additional setbacks compounded the decline. In early 2022, member Yiren faced controversy in South Korea, sparking a wave of backlash that affected the group’s domestic image. The situation contributed to another period of halted activities. Then, in March 2025, Yiren revealed via Bubble that the group had not received any salary in six years of activity. The disclosure shocked fans and reignited debates over the “recoupment” contract model in the idol industry, where trainees must repay production, training, and promotional expenses before earning profit. While the system is not uncommon in K-pop, the fact that a group with hundreds of millions of views reportedly had no income for six years raised serious questions about financial transparency and investment efficiency.
In June 2025, EVERGLOW officially ended their contract with Yuehua Entertainment, closing the chapter on their original six-member formation. By September 2025, four members—Sihyeon, E:U, Onda, and Aisha—signed with CHXXTA Company and chose to continue under the EVERGLOW name. Yiren returned to China to focus on individual activities, while Mia pursued her own path.
The restructuring presents new artistic and branding challenges. The absence of two key members inevitably alters vocal distribution, stage dynamics, and musical color. Simultaneously, repeated controversies have fragmented the group’s public image. Their upcoming comeback is therefore more than just a musical return—it is a critical test of whether EVERGLOW can rebuild credibility and redefine their identity in an increasingly competitive K-pop landscape.
Sources: Sohu,Sina,X (Twitter),Bubble