It’s hard to admit you’re wrong when something isn’t working, especially when you’ve pumped so much time and effort into a project. Such was the case for girl group MINX. After debuting in 2014, the group struggled finding success in the following years. While it would have been easy for MINX or their agency, Happyface Entertainment, to either keep pushing on or give up completely, they wisely understood where the problems were and focused on making the needed changes.
The group re-debuted in 2017 with two new members and a brand new sound and style. This wasn’t MINX anymore. This was Dreamcatcher. The group decided that if they were going to stand out from the rest of the girl groups of the time, they needed to be completely unique. So, Dreamcatcher pivoted their own thing both musically and thematically and have since maintained a willingness to experiment and continue growing.
Part of the problem with MINX was they debuted as a cutesy, bubbly girl group at a time when there were many just like them. Instead of fighting the super-saturated market, Dreamcatcher turned 180 and decided to embrace a darker, harder concept. The music shifted from cute synth-pop tracks to heavy-hitting rock, almost metal-based jams. They rejected all norms for girl groups, and went all-in on this rock sound.
Their visuals were also completely different. They wore dark colors, used those same dark colors in videos, and incorporated dance moves into their moveset that were harsher and sharper than even most boy bands. This isn’t the most mind-blowing thing in 2024, but in 2017, this was a big deal. They were neither sweet nor sexy; they didn’t fit cleanly into any sort of category. They were powerful, loud, and defiant.
Now, just because Dreamcatcher have found their groove in rock doesn’t mean they are content with coasting through the genre without trying new things out. Songs like “PIRI” feature elements of EDM, and their second album, Apocalypse: Save Us includes elements of everything from R&B to jazz. Despite being a rock-pop group at their core, Dreamcatcher recognizes that shaking up the norm is what got them where they are now, and they refuse to fall stagnant again.
In the end, the switch-up proved successful, and the group was already selling out events later the same year they re-debuted. Dreamcatcher has gone on to find fans all around the globe and have been cited as the top influence by several other idols and rock groups that have followed in their footsteps. They might have been worried about risking everything with this rebrand, but it goes to show that sometimes you need to be willing to make big changes if you want to be a dream catcher.