YG Entertainment, following the success of BLACKPINK 7 years ago, is set to debut their new girl group BabyMonster as a six-member ensemble, sparking interest in whether they can rise as YG's new beacon of hope. This comes after the announcement that original member Ahyun will not be debuting with the group due to health issues.
On November 15, YG officially announced Ahyun's departure from the debut lineup of BabyMonster, citing health reasons. They assured that they will provide support for Ahyun's recovery and potential future return to the group.
Consequently, BabyMonster has been reorganized as a six-member group, including Korean members Rami and Rora, Thai members Pharita and Chiquita, and Japanese members Ruka and Asa. The sudden change in the lineup just before their debut on November 27 has left fans expressing their disappointment, particularly as Ahyun had gained a significant following for her resemblance to BLACKPINK's Jennie and was prominently featured as a 'center of assurance' and 'polished trainee' by YG.
BabyMonster has been in the spotlight as YG's first new girl group since BLACKPINK, especially amidst uncertainty about BLACKPINK's contract renewal. The industry is watching whether BabyMonster can become YG's new breakthrough.
YG has made considerable efforts to ensure a successful debut for BabyMonster, with general producer Yang Hyun-suk actively supporting the group's launch. Yang expressed his hope for the group to astonish the world just as they had surprised him during their monthly evaluations over the last four years.
Leading up to the debut, YG released a series of promotional contents for BabyMonster, including their debut reality show and dance cover videos, amplifying expectations. Their pre-debut track 'Dream' topped the Billboard Hot Trending Songs chart in May, highlighting the group's pre-debut popularity.
Despite the six-member reformation, BabyMonster previously recorded over 3.1 million YouTube subscribers and achieved over 450 million views, indicating their strong pre-debut following. However, Ahyun's absence from the debut lineup raises concerns about whether the group can retain its established fan base. There is growing curiosity about how this last-minute change will impact BabyMonster's debut.
An industry insider commented, "Ahyun's withdrawal from BabyMonster is indeed a significant loss for YG and a difficult decision. However, considering how other groups have successfully overcome member departures, BabyMonster can also counter this setback with their musicality and talent. The current concerns will eventually be unfounded."
Despite the sudden shift to a six-member formation, YG is not delaying their debut set for the 27th and is actively preparing. This confidence stems from the exceptional talents of the remaining six members.
Yang Hyun-suk has previously praised each member individually, highlighting their unique strengths and talents. These praises reflect YG's confidence in each member's capabilities and their potential to shine independently.
Given the individual talents of each member, YG continues to proudly support BabyMonster's debut. With their demonstrated skills in the previously released contents, all eyes are on whether BabyMonster can become YG's next pillar, following in the footsteps of BLACKPINK.
