BIGBANG members disperse, but will still be part of group
K-pop boy group BIGBANG / Courtesy of YG Entertainment
By Dong Sun-hwa
Two members of the iconic K-pop boy group BIGBANG have left their management company, YG Entertainment, but their fans will still be able to see them perform as a group.
YG said Tuesday that member Daesung has terminated his contract with the company. The news about Daesung came only one day after another BIGBANG member, Taeyang, announced his departure from YG.
“Daesung recently ended his contract with us and is looking for a fresh start,” YG said. “But he will still be part of BIGBANG and we will always support him and cooperate with him whenever needed.”
Whether the 33-year-old has inked a contract with a new agency is unknown.
YG added that it is still in negotiations with BIGBANG's frontman, G-DRAGON, over his contract as a soloist. If he renews his contract, G-DRAGON will be the only BIGBANG member under YG.
On Monday, YG announced that Taeyang would join The Black Label, an associate company of YG helmed by acclaimed producer Teddy Park. Park is behind the success of numerous hits by YG's girl group, BLACKPINK, such as “Shut Down” (2023) ― the lead single off the quartet's second studio album, “Born Pink,” which dropped in September.
“But Taeyang will remain as a member of BIGBANG,” YG stressed. “As we know that a lot of people are looking forward to BIGBANG's musical activity, we will work together (with the members) to achieve this.”
Prior to Daesung and Taeyang's departure, member T.O.P left YG in February, but did not clinch a contract with any record label. Two months later, the 35-year-old rapper ― who recently announced that he would join the “dearMoon” project and visit the moon with seven other civilians ― released the single, “Still Life,” with other BIGBANG members.
BIGBANG, one of the most successful K-pop acts in history, burst onto the music scene in 2006 as a quintet. It has rolled out a series of smash hits like “Lies” (2007), “Day by Day” (2008) and “Fantastic Baby” (2012). It is one of the few K-pop groups that has ranked first on Korean music shows in the 2000s, 2010s and 2020s.
Member Seungri, however, quit the act in 2019 after being accused of multiple criminal charges including pandering and illegal overseas gambling. In May, the Supreme Court upheld an 18-month prison term imposed on him.