The future of YG ENTERTAINMENT may lie in rookie girl group BABYMONSTER

A captured image of a video titled “YG Next Movement” released by YG Entertainment heralded the debut of girl group BABYMONSTER. [SCREEN CAPTURE]

YG Entertainment has a lot to prove this year.

As some of the agency’s most prominent stars leave the agency, scandal-plagued founder Yang Hyun-suk made an unofficial comeback on New Year’s Day after supposedly stepping down as CEO four years ago. , received mixed reactions from market watchers about the future. Company’s.

YG Entertainment released a video titled “YG Next Movement” on the 28th, in which YANG and other YG ENTERTAINMENT artists introduced their agency’s next girl group BABYMONSTER. The group was alluded to in just seven silhouetted photos a week ago, and their faces were shown for the first time on Sunday, but no other details were given.

The video didn’t explain anything about Yang’s return to his agency, but only introduced him as YG’s chief producer.

“They have the soul of YG,” he said in the video. I would like you to make a judgment based on what you have heard.”

It is the first time in 3 years and 6 months that Yang has appeared in public as a central figure in his agency since he resigned as the de facto head of his agency.

On June 14, 2019, Yang posted a statement on YG Entertainment’s homepage, saying, “Slanderous words are spreading like the truth,” and “I will abandon all duties at YG Entertainment.”

Yang Hyun Suk was introduced as YG’s chief producer in the video titled “YG Next Movement” released by YG Entertainment on the 2nd. [YG ENTERTAINMENT]

YG Entertainment’s founder and largest shareholder, Yang Hyun Suk, appeared at the Seoul Central District Court after being acquitted of charges of threatening an informant on December 22. [NEWS1]

Yang was reported to police in 2019 for allegedly providing prostitutes to potential investors and threatening an informant known to be a former trainee of the agency. Instead of prosecuting him on suspicion of solicitation, the Seoul Central District Court acquitted Yang of charges of extorting information on December 22.

However, according to YG Entertainment, Sunday’s video does not imply Yang’s official comeback. A spokesperson for the company said he was not in position.

“Since 2011, he has not been reported as a company manager,” a spokesperson said. His involvement with Babymonster is limited to the role of music producer. He is not the manager of the company. ”

The stock market reacted positively to Sunday’s news as analysts were betting on the new girl group’s debut for YG Entertainment’s future. YG Entertainment’s shares closed at 48,050 won ($37.75) on Monday , up 9.6% from the previous trading day.

“The company’s stock price has fallen because it relied on a single artist, Blackpink, and it is unclear whether the company will renew its contract,” said Park Ha-kyung, an analyst at Korea Investment Securities. rice field. “The growth of [boy band] The new girl group’s treasure and success will be the momentum the company needs to recover.”

Two bands, Treasure and Babymonster, certainly need to wear big shoes as some of the agency’s biggest names recently parted ways.

All six members of boy band iKON left YG Entertainment last month and signed with 143 Entertainment on Sunday. [YG ENTERTAINMENT]

girl group blackpink [YG ENTERTAINMENT]

Actor Kang Dong Won and boy band iKON announced their departure from YG Entertainment last month. Although the actor has yet to announce his new agency, iKON said on Sunday that all six members have signed with 143 Entertainment, home of girl group Kep1er’s Mashiro and girl group Limelight’s Yeseo. rice field.

Big Bang’s Daesung also left YG Entertainment last month, and the same band Taeyang transferred management from YG Entertainment to his agency The Black Label. Girl group BLACKPINK will have to decide whether to renew their contracts this year, seven years after the members debuted in August 2016.

TREASURE will start their Asia tour in March. 8 concerts will be held in 7 cities including Taipei, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta and Bangkok.

The management office said, “Starting with the debut of the new group ‘Baby Monster’, we will accelerate the activities of artists in the global scene.”

The details of the new girl group, including the debut date, have not yet been confirmed. Seven silhouettes are shown in the poster image, but the number of members has not been officially confirmed either.

The management office said, “Starting with the debut of the new group ‘Baby Monster’, we will accelerate the activities of artists in the global scene.”

Yoon So Young [yoon.soyeon@joongang.co.kr]