K-pop band BEAST returns as Highlight

Members of the K-pop band Highlight, formerly known as BEAST, pose during the press conference at Yes24 Live Hall in Gwangjin-gu, eastern Seoul, Monday, From left are Yoon Doo-joon, Yong Jun-hyung, Yang Yo-seob, Lee Gi-kwang, and Song Dong-hoon. / Yonhap

By Kim Jae-heun

K-pop band BEAST has changed its name to Highlight under its new entertainment agency Around Us, introducing its first mini-album “Can You Feel It?” on Monday.

It took five months for the group to return after leaving its former agency Cube Entertainment.

The five-member act established a new record label after its seven-year contract with the former agency expired. The group hoped to keep the name BEAST but it was denied as the title is trademarked by its former agency Cube.

“It’s a shame things did not go the way we intended. We wanted to keep the name we owned for a long time but it did not happen as we failed to negotiate with our former company,” Yoon Doo-joon said during a recent showcase for the band’s newly released album at Yes24 Live Hall in Gwangjin-gu, eastern Seoul. “We think we have done our best. If we had waited longer, it would have taken longer to meet our fans.”

Another member Son Dong-woon said the group took the new name Highlight from their latest album of the same name to pursue their goal of highlighting the band’s new career ahead of them.

The group members expressed their affection for the name BEAST but said they will leave it behind and seek another heyday for the next 10 years.

“It is true we are widely known by the name BEAST. But we will perform with the new name as BEAST will be left in our hearts as a beautiful memory. We would like to be congratulated for our debut, not return,” said singer Yang Yo-seob.

The six-member act, BEAST debuted in October 2009 at the MTV GongGae Hall in Seoul with debut single “Bad Girl.” Their second single “Mystery” also was a success, selling over 40,000 copies _ an unusual feat for a Korean rookie group.

BEAST’s career peaked with their second mini album “Shock of the New Era” released in March 2010. The band achieved their first No. 1 spot with the single “Shock” on cable music TV Mnet’s M! Countdown.

The group performed on international stages, garnering popularity in Taiwan, Singapore and Japan. However the group suffered a blow when their member Hyunseung left the band to pursue his own musical career.

Highlight’s new mini album consists of six tracks, including the lead single “Pls Don’t Be Sad” and the pre-released single “It’s Still Beautiful.”

The lead single topped five online music charts, including Melon, Genie Music, Naver Music, Olleh Music and Soribada as soon as it was released at midnight on Monday.