YG Entertainment Shares 2025 Plans, New Eras For TREASURE, BLACKPINK

On December 2 local time, YG Entertainment founder and majority stakeholder Yang Hyun Suk took to YouTube for a personal announcement about the influential K-pop label’s vision for the rest of 2024 and beyond in 2025.

Among the highlights were updates on TREASURE’s upcoming releases as well as leadership changes within the boy band, plus substantial events for YG’s top-tier acts like WINNER, BLACKPINK and BABYMONSTER to signal an ambitious roadmap for the agency in the new year.

TREASURE’s Evolving Sound and Leadership

Yang Hyun Suk began the announcement video by spotlighting TREASURE, revealing that the group’s upcoming digital single, “LAST NIGHT,” set for release on December 5, 2024, will serve as a prelude to an EP in February 2025 before a full-length album slated for mid-2025 around July or August. However, it’s not just the packed timeline that has fans buzzing — it’s the promise of a significant shift in sound.

Known for high-energy singles like “KING KONG,” “BONA BONA,” and “JIKJIN,” TREASURE will instead be “dialing back the intensity” for their new material. Yang explained that the upcoming music will allow the members to “express their honest emotions” and connect with fans in a “more comfortable way.” The announcement hints at a deeper, more introspective side of TREASURE, a bold move for a group that has built its brand on explosive performances and anthemic hooks but is also known for being highly involved in its songwriting and production.

Adding to their evolution, TREASURE will also see a leadership transition. With 10 members, a suggestion came for the group to rotate members every two to three years. So, starting January 1, 2025, Junkyu and Asahi will step into leadership roles, replacing current leaders Choi Hyunsuk and Jihoon.

2025: A Landmark Year for YG Entertainment

TREASURE isn’t the only act with a packed schedule.

Yang unveiled a robust lineup of active acts on YG’s roster, including the youngest girl group, BABYMONSTER, the folk-pop sibling duo AKMU, and the veteran boy band WINNER. In fact, WINNER’s 2025 tour marks their first since 2022, the last time the group dropped new music with their HOLIDAY album and hit single “I LOVE U.”

Meanwhile, YG’s global phenomenon BLACKPINK will also reunite for a world tour—their first since wrapping the Born Pink World Tour in September 2023. The trek would mark a pivotal moment for the group as members Jennie, Rosé, and Lisa have all been busy releasing solo music while Jisoo continues to focus on her acting and modeling career. Should the 2025 tour come to fruition, fans should likely expect at least some new music from the girl group, in addition to seeing the girls’ new solo music live.

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Yang also teased the possibility of debuting new groups, speaking to the company’s bustling trainee program.

YG’s Notable Omissions and Lingering Questions

While the packed announcements included several exciting updates, fans couldn’t help but notice the absence of specific names.

Yang did not mention 2NE1, the legendary girl group who reunited under YG Entertainment in 2024 for their 15th-anniversary Welcome Back Tour. The tour, which kicked off in Seoul, is set to continue into 2025, with international dates beyond Asia eagerly anticipated for the internationally beloved act.

Despite member Park Bom previously expressing her hope for a new album during a concert, there are no concrete plans yet, leaving fans curious about the group’s musical future beyond the reunion.

Similarly, there has yet to be an update on Eun Jiwon of SECHSKIES, the leader of the legendary boy band that signed with YG in 2016.

A Year of Opportunities

The year ahead marks a critical moment for YG Entertainment, both creatively and financially. Among the “Big Four” K-pop companies at press time, YG is currently the only company among its peers to show positive year-to-date performance. While JYP Entertainment, HYBE, and SM Entertainment have seen their stocks decline by 20.1 percent, 19.7 percent and 7.4 percent, respectively, YG’s stock is currently up 4.9 percent this year.

This financial promise highlights the market’s confidence in YG’s strategy for 2025 as a dark horse in the competitive K-pop industry. With a strong slate of releases, tours, and internal restructurings, YG appears poised to capitalize on its upward momentum and reaffirm its position as a powerhouse in the global music market.

With a mix of seasoned performers and rising stars, YG appears poised to solidify its standing as a leader in the ever-competitive K-pop industry.