Members of K-pop group iKON have left YG Entertainment after their seven-year exclusive contracts ended.
“We would like to announce that after a long and careful discussion with iKON (JAY, BOBBY, SONG, JU-NE, DK, CHAN), we all have mutually agreed to end the exclusive management contract in respect of each other’s opinions,” YG Entertainment announced on Dec. 30.
Despite this, the members will continue to be part of iKON.
“Apart from the end of the contract, all six members will act as a group: iKON. In addition, iKON will continuously interact with fans through their official channels including Weverse, the fan community service, as usual,” the agency added.
The agency added, “We would like to express sincere appreciation to iKON for being with us as YG artist. YG Entertainment will always look forward to their activities in diverse fields and wish the best for the members in the future.”
iKON debuted under YG Entertainment in 2015. B.I left the group in 2019.
“Also, we would like to deeply thank all iKONIC for accompanying iKON on their journey. Please keep giving warm attention and support to iKON members who are about to start a new phase of their journey,” it said.
iKON’s decision to leave YG Entertainment followed the announcements that Big Bang’s Daesung and Taeyang left YG Entertainment.
Taeyang transferred to The Black Label, an associate company where YG holds a 30 percent stake.
T.O.P left YG Entertainment in February while Seungri left the group and announced his retirement from the entertainment industry in 2019.
YG Entertainment said it is negotiating with G-Dragon regarding his contract.