YG Entertainment Left With What Fans Call A “Tiny” Artist Lineup After AKMU’s Departure

On November 21, 2025 (KST), the musician duo AKMU announced they will be leaving YG Entertainment and going independent.

Iconic Group To Leave YG Entertainment

Amid the news, fans are now discussing who will be remaining at the company…

…and asking if it is still part of the “Big 3,” long used in K-Pop to refer to the “OG” trifecta of SM Entertainment, JYP Entertainment, and YG Entertainment.

• “It’s honestly embarrassing to call them a part of the ‘Big 3’ now.”
• “I heard their building is huge and they have tons of employees, but they barely have any artists.”
• “At this point, I don’t think you can call them a major agency anymore.”
• “YG doesn’t manage actors either. So, this is basically their entire star lineup… and without BLACKPINK, they really have no one.”
• “The fact that they have 400 employees is even more surprising.”
• “And BLACKPINK members set up their own individual agencies anyway…”

Some noted that, while short, the artist lineup includes big names like BLACKPINK and TREASURE, which leaves YG Entertainment in good hands for many more years to come.

• “Doesn’t TREASURE tour like crazy? But it feels like they totally missed the right moment to cement their place domestically. They should’ve pushed them hard in the early years.”
• “BLACKPINK’s individual contracts fell through too, so they’re basically not even half with YG anymore.”
• “Wow, this is a tiny lineup.”
• “YG was supported by BIGBANG first, and then BLACKPINK carried them after.”
• “At least they still have BLACKPINK.”
• “What about iKON?”

On the other hand, some pointed out how its glory days are obviously coming to an end—given the company has close to 400 employees but only a handful of groups.

• “I had no idea Eun Ji Won is still with YG.”
• “Right, and YG also handles album distribution and merch themselves, so they have a lot of revenue streams.”
• “Save BABYMONSTER…”
• “You really can’t call them a major agency anymore……”
• “Without BLACKPINK, they can’t function, so the contract terms probably give most of the profits to BLACKPINK anyway.”
• “YG employees are known for having great work–life balance LOL. Their salaries are the lowest among the top 4 agencies, but apparently they stay because the work–life balance is good LOL.”

What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments.