YG’s New Wave of Girl Groups: Simultaneous Activity by 3 Generations to New Group Rollout, Fueled by YANG HYUN SUK’s Momentum
[OSEN=최이정 기자] YG Entertainment (hereafter YG) has unveiled its exciting activity blueprint for 2025, thrilling K-pop fans globally. This includes simultaneous activities from third-generation girl groups like 2NE1, BLACKPINK, and BABYMONSTER, as well as a vigorous schedule for YG artists from the second half of this year into the next. This roadmap, showcasing both strategic planning and execution, highlights the drive of YG EXECUTIVE PRODUCER YANG HYUN SUK.
On the 22nd, YG’s official blog featured ‘YG Announcement 2NE1 / 2025 YG PLAN’. YANG HYUN SUK, marking the 15th anniversary of 2NE1’s debut, formalized collaboration plans through a video, announcing the reunion of 2NE1 and their upcoming activities with YG.
Last month on the 27th, YANG HYUN SUK and the 2NE1 members met at YG’s new office in Hapjeong-dong, Seoul. This was their first complete reunion in over eight years, attracting keen industry and fan interest. YANG HYUN SUK discussed future plans in depth, welcoming the 2NE1 members back home.
2NE1 is a symbol of YG’s authenticity. With BLACKPINK having reached the pinnacle of global girl groups and BABYMONSTER following successfully, 2NE1 was the revolutionary start of this girl-crush phenomenon. Despite the members dispersing post-contract for solo careers, their collective power as 2NE1 is unmatched, with YG providing the perfect platform for their explosive reunion.
The project begins with a standalone concert. 2NE1, fully backed by YG, will kick off a Seoul concert in early October, followed by performances in Osaka and Tokyo, Japan, and additional global tour plans. Less than a month after reuniting, the sincerity of YANG HYUN SUK towards 2NE1 and their swift international tour plans are evident. YANG HYUN SUK expressed, “This performance will be extraordinary. The generation that grew up with 2NE1’s music is now sharing those memories. All staff members are working hard to create a successful event.”
Moreover, in 2025, the impressive simultaneous activities of YG’s third-generation girl groups will be visible. As the ‘big sister’, 2NE1’s global tour, along with BLACKPINK’s comeback and world tour, are set to commence, revealed by YANG HYUN SUK. Additionally, BABYMONSTER is poised to aggressively target the global market next year, offering a vivid snapshot of YG’s lively history.
Furthermore, aggressive activity plans for other YG artists have been disclosed, including TREASURE joining BABYMONSTER on a world tour to capture the global market. AKMU is also working on a new album, and with WINNER members MINO and YOON nearing their military discharge at the end of December, a complete group activity is soon expected.
What particularly draws attention is the rapid progression of launching a new group. Earlier this year, YANG HYUN SUK, who has been leading music and creative projects, announced an increase in internal producers from around 10 to 40-50, indicating a more accelerated push for upcoming projects. For the first time, YANG HYUN SUK has mentioned a new group, materializing the plans with ‘NEXT MONSTER’ waiting in the wings. “Next year, I will definitely introduce the new group to our fans,” YANG HYUN SUK promised, emphasizing that many YG artists will continue to create time to be with their fans. BABYMONSTER’s rise as a key force in the fifth generation of K-pop highlights significant achievements as public recognition of their talent increases, raising expectations for ‘NEXT MONSTER’.
Since YANG HYUN SUK’s return last year, YG has solidified its identity while showcasing a stream of positive changes. With innovative reductions in the new song release cycle and proactive sharing of plans, YG has markedly changed, garnering enthusiastic responses from fans. Amidst this, the reformation of 2NE1, along with the significant participation and launch plans of other artists, reaffirms YANG HYUN SUK’s capabilities.
2024. 7. 23.
