All The K-Pop Idols Who Left YG Entertainment In 2022
The year 2022 brought many changes to the K-Pop world, both for better and for worse. Dozens of K-Pop idols will be going in new directions in 2023 by leaving their former groups or agencies. Here are 10+ idols who parted ways with YG Entertainment this year.
1. T.O.P (BIGBANG)
T.O.P was the first YG Entertainment artist to part ways with the agency in 2022. He debuted in BIGBANG in 2006 and later went on to release two solo singles, “Turn It Up” and “Doom Dada,” in the early 2010s. He also saw success with the release of GD & TOP, a collaboration album with fellow BIGBANG member G-Dragon, and as an actor.
In February, YG Entertainment announced that T.O.P would leave the agency to, “expand his personal activities.”
BIGBANG will be releasing a new song this spring.
We have finished the recording of the song and are about to film the music video.
We have also respected T.O.P’s opinion that he wanted to expand his personal activities aside from his promotions with BIGBANG, and he also discussed it with the other members, who understood.
If the conditions are right, T.O.P will always be able to participate in BIGBANG’s promotions.
— YG Entertainment
2. Taeyang (BIGBANG)
Like T.O.P, Taeyang debuted in 2006 under YG Entertainment. Over the years, he has become one of the most famous 2nd generation K-Pop idols, inspiring 3rd and 4th generation stars with his incredible vocals and performance skills. One of his best-known solo songs, “Eyes, Nose, Lips” peaked at No.1 on the Billboard K-Pop Hot 100 chart.
Earlier this week, YG Entertainment confirmed reports that Taeyang will be leaving the agency and joining THE BLACK LABEL.
Hello, this is YG Entertainment.
We would like to inform you that BIGBANG member Taeyang will be joining YG Entertainment subsidiary company THE BLACK LABEL as an artist. We are truly happy to be able to deliver this news.
He will still be a member of the YG family and BIGBANG. We understand that many people are waiting for BIGBANG to promote, and we will work hard to make that into reality.
Thank you.
— YG Entertainment
3. Daesung (BIGBANG)
Over the past decade, Daesung (also known by his Japanese stage name D-Lite) has been releasing songs with BIGBANG and solo albums. He debuted as a soloist just two years after his BIGBANG debut with the trot song, “Look at Me, Gwisoon.” After leaving the military, Daesung launched a YouTube channel in 2020 called D’splay.
Shortly after confirming Taeyang’s switch to THE BLACK LABEL, YG Entertainment announced that Daesung would also be leaving the agency. BIGBANG’s leader, G-Dragon, is currently the only BIGBANG member still signed to YG Entertainment.
Daesung’s contract has concluded and he is seeking a new start.
— YG Entertainment
4. Bang Yedam (TREASURE)
TREASURE lost not one but two members in 2022, shocking fans. One member was Bang Yedam, who competed on the survival show K-Pop Star and trained for seven years before debuting in 2020 with his first digital single, “Wayo.” Given how much time and training Bang Yedam put into his idol career, fans were not expecting him to leave TREASURE just two years after debuting in the group.
In November, YG Entertainment announced that TREASURE will continue as 10 members after terminating two of the original 12 members’ contracts. According to YG Entertainment’s official statement, Bang Yedam left TREASURE to “pursue his career as a producer.”
5. Mashiho (TREASURE)
After competing on YG Entertainment’s 2018 survival show, YG Treasure Box, this Japanese singer promoted with TREASURE 13 (TREASURE’s main group pre-debut, TREASURE, combined with its second group, MAGNUM). He officially debuted as one of TREASURE’s 12 members in 2020.
In November, YG Entertainment cited Mashiho’s health as his reason for leaving TREASURE. He was on hiatus prior to terminating his contract.
Hello, this is YG Entertainment.
First of all, we would like to express our sincere gratitude to all of the TREASURE MAKERS for all the support and love towards TREASURE.
Today, we have an important announcement about TREASURE’s future activities.
Going forward, TREASURE transforms into a 10-member group – consisting of Choi Hyun suk, Jihoon, Yoshi, Junkyu, Yoon Jae hyuk, Asahi, Doyoung, Haruto, Park Jeong woo, and So Jung hwan.
After a long and careful discussion with Mashiho and Bang Ye dam was mutually agreed to conclude the contracts between the two and YG Entertainment.
We have reached such agreement so that Mashiho could have enough time to recover from his health condition, and Bang Ye dam could pursue his career as a producer.
Knowing that all of TREASURE’s fans have been waiting for Mashiho and Bang Ye dam, we are very sad about their departure as they have been with TREASURE from the beginning. We ask for your continuing support for Mashiho and Bang Ye dam.
YG Entertainment will put its best efforts in communicating with TREASURE MAKERS and supporting TREASURE’s future activities.
Thank you so much.
— YG Entertainment
6. iKON
iKON, one of YG Entertainment’s most successful boy groups of all time, debuted as seven members in 2015. Leader B.I parted ways with iKON and YG Entertainment in the summer of 2019.
Last month, YG Entertainment denied rumors that Bobby would be leaving the agency, but that has now changed. Today, YG Entertainment announced that all six of the group’s remaining members will be leaving the agency to pursue new ventures.
Hello, this is YG Entertainment.
We are writing this to inform you that after long discussions with the iKON members (Kim Jinhwan, Bobby, Song Yunhyeong, Goo Junhoe, Kim Donghyuk, and Jung Chanwoo) about their future activities, respecting for each other’s opinions, we have agreed to end our exclusive contract with the members as their contracts have expired.
We would like to sincerely thank the iKON members, who have been with us as our agency artist until now. We are looking forward to their future activities in various sectors of the industry and are cheering them all on.
Additionally, we also thank iKONIC who were with us for iKON’s journey. We ask that you continue to give all the members your continued interest and support as they prepare for a new start.
— YG Entertainment
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