Dreamcatcher's 1st Win Signaled One Of Their Best Years

People still make a lot of hay these days about first music show wins these days in the K-Pop industry. While I think the thought that they are essential to survival has quieted significantly, there's still an idea that they're seen as a milestone to achieve and a marker that a group has become popular enough, through one channel or another, to win one.

It took Dreamcatcher almost two thousand days to win theirs, and as I've said many times, I myself underestimated how much it might mean to the group after so many years of trying. That's not to say the group didn't want or desire to win one, as that'd be a silly thing to indicate, but only that they had stopped wanting to win so badly that it hurt them not to, something which spread to their desire to comfort fans after coming up short. It's tough in the industry, and many groups never even come close to the level that Dreamcatcher, an underrated group, occupies.

Yet when it did happen, it was an understandably emotional and banner moment for the group and the fandom (and for K-Pop fans in general, who turned out in droves to congratulate the group on a long-awaited accolade). I'm ok being wrong on how much I thought it would hit them, though honestly, I feel like the group seemed just as surprised at their own emotional reactions.

All that said, I could go on about 1st win stuff from Dreamcatcher, here, on the 4th anniversary of that win, but I've already written about how what everything led to this moment meant the group was resilient and dedicated. What I think is true in retrospect is that it really felt like this was the jumping-off point to 2022 being one of the most solid, memorable years in the group's history.

Though they were invited well before achieving their first music show win, Dreamcatcher's Primavera Sound appearance was a solid checkmark in their list of achievements. The set was essentially their first outside of South Korea in a festival setting, with a well-regarded event that has been known for a dash of the different and fun with their lineups. That's exactly what Dreamcatcher brought to the stage, and everyone from known fans to casuals wondering why there was a combination of rock, EDM, dance pop and more emanating from one of the side stages enjoyed it immensely. The cleanup of the audio and subsequent release of the full set is still one of the best things in my playlist while I work.

That summer festival was a part of the triumphant return of tourings for many musical acts and groups, and it was no surprise when Dreamcatcher announced tours through multiple regions in 2022. Business reasons aside, Dreamcatcher had survived having one of its core financial pillars removed from its business stability through no fault of their own, and celebrating that (while also getting back that revenue) through extended tours seemed like just the right way to go. Of all the concerts that I've attended for Dreamcatcher over the years, the Apocalypse: Save Us tour were my favorites, just for the fact that we had every member get to shine on their own, old and new favorite songs mixed in, and a lot of unforgettable moments coming back to one of the most-missed activities from before the pandemic.

It was during one of these tours late in the year in Europe that fans got another pleasant surprise and another marker to remember 2022 by, as the group announced full contract renewal prior to initial expiry. Because contract renewal is so very much a part of the anxiety of being into a group for so long, having that weight taken off of fans' shoulders was a relief, and a testament to the group's long and productive relationship with the company that started out as Happyface Entertainment but who had proudly renamed itself Dreamcatcher Company to reflect one of their most treasured acts. With the gift of retrospect, we now know this would be for the expected "shorter" renewal period of 3 years, yet to even make it this far fully intact when other groups had partial or whole membership losses was one of the most feelgood moments of an already great 2022 for Dreamcatcher.

None of this, of course, even touches the music releases in 2022, which brought a lot more variety to Dreamcatcher's already-impressive resume. Both "MAISON" and "VISION" were solid title tracks, both with their own distinct style and vibe that showcased how far their sound had evolved. The trademark Dreamcatcher story-telling was also present, beginning a new major arc that cast them as heroes and planet protectors after being embedded in horror for so long.

Apocalypse: Save Us not only brought us Dreamcatcher's first win but also dedicated solo songs for each member, something that I think was amazing in terms of everyone getting a chance to shine. Oftentimes we see some members in groups get a bit more than others insofar as musical opportunities, and even though Dreamcatcher was not immune to some of this disparity, having a formal part of their discography be an intentional solo focus for every member helped with that immensely. Solo performances in 2022 followed Dreamcatcher around through special showcases, their tours, and in lots of behind-the-scenes and production content, and was a personal highlight of mine.

It's so very tough to choose between all seven songs, but Siyeon's "Entrancing" came out of left field for me, mostly because I was almost certain she'd go for something more hard rock-ish with an opportunity to sing. We now know, four years later with Chrocktikal, that she's getting a ton more of those chances both in album releases and a soon-to-be live tour, and I can't help but wonder if 2022's solo opportunities got the gears turning for Siyeon and everyone else in terms of what they could put out on their own.

One day, we may see more in-depth interviews about what Dreamcatcher's careers meant to them, perhaps after they've stopped performing or being active as artists, but for now, the marker of how important and wonderful 2022 was for Dreamcatcher seems to be encapsulated in JiU's interview from later in the year. It seemed appropriate that it was the leader of the group who would provide this kind of perspective, because as someone who's headed up a group of individuals, there's a greater weight to ensuring the group succeeds when you're at the front of it, and in my opinion, an obligation to pull everyone up with you while you do it.

From the trials of MINX to telling a story about her and the CEO interacting about the prospect of wins to seeing how far they'd come as artists with fresh and interesting experiencse, JiU was extremely honest and direct in this interview, and it really just seems to summarize the complex emotions that come with being an artist, at achieving a milestone, and wondering where you go from here. That journey is still ongoing, even after the group is out of their exclusive contract era, but I'll never forget that it took a turn in 2022 that led us through so many awesome things in the year that made it unforgettable, beyond lifting that long-awaited trophy.