On November 28, the 2023 MAMA Awards took place, honoring artists’ achievements over the last year. During the show, many different groups put on amazing performances, including ENHYPEN, TXT, and Somi.
Bite Me + Dance Break + Sweet Venom pic.twitter.com/TGZ3a6FUJT
— 귄카 (@gueenca) November 28, 2023
레이싱 투바투 .. pic.twitter.com/cTSgV6buzs
— ໊ (@fairyO913) November 28, 2023
전소미 마마 패포 미쳤다 ㅋㅋ pic.twitter.com/p1nwvyNzKM
— ʟᴏᴠᴇsᴏᴍᴇ ఇ (@luvsom39) November 28, 2023
However, during one performance, a part of the set seemed to give viewers a hint that a top girl group would be disbanding soon.
Girl group Kep1er debuted in 2022, following the survival show Girls Planet 999. Girls Planet 999 saw 99 trainees narrowed down til only nine remained.
Kep1er | Mnet | WakeOne
Like other survival shows, Kep1er was initially announced as a temporary group that would promote together for 2.5 years before going their separate ways. However, unlike previous survival show units like Wanna One and I.O.I, none of the members are part of active groups, nor have they been officially announced in an upcoming group’s debut line-up.
Because of this, some fans have been hopeful that Kep1er would at least extend their contracts, if not become a fixed group.
wait oh my god my heart is racing i really hope they can extend https://t.co/AeQEPC9cbY
— veroni ✰ (@melonshiro) September 22, 2023
they def need an extension they haven’t even given us a tour yet https://t.co/OAqiqPFJDE
— lia (kep1ian #5) (@MANAMIONTHEBEAT) September 22, 2023
PLEASE and under a different company. They deserve so much better. https://t.co/ghspdXEm4L
— Kwo (@Kwooluvsu) September 22, 2023
Given that Kep1er’s formation was aired through Mnet, it was no surprise that the group appeared at the 2023 MAMA Awards. In addition to looking gorgeous on the red carpet…
…the group shone during their action-packed performance despite questionable camerawork.
すみません、見間違いじゃなければMAMA2023に暴走族が乱入するしもKep1erがボコボコにしてた気がするんですが#Kep1er #MAMAAWARDS pic.twitter.com/6HhkDICRoV
— おﾀｺﾌﾟﾘ (@otakoezaki) November 28, 2023
During the end of their time on stage, a screen behind the group read “Mission Complete,” which was initially believed to be related to their secret agent-esque theme.
| Mnet
One fan found a different meaning in the message, seeing it as a statement that this would be their final MAMA Awards.
“mission complete” since its their last MAMA stage oh im sick pic.twitter.com/JvK8JHgF6x
— (@yujintothesky) November 28, 2023
While this is correct — the group will disband in July 2024 according to current plans — many were surprised to learn this would be their final MAMA and expressed shock at the possibility that extensions may not happen.
AH FUCK OFF I DON’T WANT THEM TO DISBAND https://t.co/X6ySKcOL9k
— sophie • SAW ZB1 (@tinydorableteez) November 28, 2023
Damn they’re already disbanding??? It felt like yesterday they were formed https://t.co/P4xAWnT5Vo
— lake (@englottz) November 28, 2023
🥲 i thought their contracts were getting extended https://t.co/oM58kqDzgY
— audz ˚ʚ♡ɞ˚ (@audreymybooty) November 28, 2023
I kinda forgot Kep1er is already disbanding next year. This kinda feels insane… mission complete… https://t.co/4lis4jnDab
— Mickey Loves IZ*ONE (@KumaixKamei) November 28, 2023
