TWO members of South Korean boy group BIGBANG left their label, YG Entertainment, on December 26 and 27 but still remain part of the band, according to local media outlets.
Dong Young-bae, professionally known as Taeyang, left YG on Monday and signed a contract with one of the company’s associates, The Black Label.
The Black Label was once a subsidiary of YG but gained independence in 2020. However, YG still owns at least 30 percent of shares in the company. This label also handles prominent KPop artists including SOMI, Kush, Teddy Park, and Zion T.
YG said in a statement on December 26 that Taeyang would still be active in Korea’s music industry and as a member of BIGBANG.
“BIGBANG’s Taeyang will be active as an artist under The Black Label, a company affiliated with YG. There is no change in the fact that he is a family member of YG and a member of BIGBANG,” it said.
On the same day, the label announced that it is still in talks regarding the contract renewal of two other members, Daesung and G-Dragon.
But the next day, it said that Daesung, or Kang Dae-sung, left the company.
But like in Taeyang’s case, Daesang will remain a member of BIGBANG.
“Daesung has decided to terminate his contract and is currently seeking a fresh start. The fact that Daesung is a member of BIGBANG remains unchanged, and we will continue to support Daesung’s new start and choice; and are open to collaborate any time,” YG was quoted as saying in an SBS Star report.
Seungri’s retirement and T.O.P’s departure from YG
Originally, BIGBANG was a five-member group composed of G-Dragon, T.O.P, Taeyang, Daesung and Seungri. However, the group’s lead dancer Seungri (Lee Seung-hyun) was compelled to leave the group and retire from his music career in 2019.
This came after Burning Sun, a club the Seungri owns, was caught in a drug and sexual exploitation scandal.
In a now deleted Instagram post, the former BIGBANG member announced his retirement as the scandal was affecting the company and the band members.
“I decided on retiring from the entertainment industry as the issues that I caused a societal disturbance with are too major. Regarding the issues that are being investigated, I will be investigated diligently and reveal all the suspicions,” Seungri wrote.
In 2021, he was sentenced to three years in prison and was fined 1.15 billion won ($989,000) for crimes including providing prostitutes to foreign businessmen, according to an NPR report.
Earlier this year, T.O.P, or Choi Seung-hyun, also left YG Entertainment as he wanted to explore horizons beyond BIGBANG.
Meanwhile, the group’s leader G-Dragon, or Kwon Ji-yong, is still in the midst of discussion regarding his contract renewal.
YG Entertainment has been BIGBANG’s label since the group’s debut in August 2006. The group is well-known for its songs FANTASTIC BABY (2012), BANG BANG BANG (2016), and its latest single Still Life (2022).
The entertainment company also manages other renowned artists including BLACKPINK, TREASURE, iKON, and AKMU.
Banner courtesy: YG Entertainment
