YG unveils new boy group, girl group plans after delayed debut

Babymonster slated for October return, Treasure for November

YG Entertainment is moving forward with plans to debut a new boy group and girl group, though neither has a confirmed launch date.

YG founder and chief producer Yang Hyun-suk outlined the remaining preparations for the five-member boy group and four-member girl group in a statement posted on the company's official blog Wednesday.

"Both groups plan to record a number of demo songs we've been working on by the end of this year," Yang said. "Once their title tracks are finalized, we expect to have a clearer timeline for their debuts."

The statement marked YG's first update on the boy group's debut schedule since it missed the September target announced in April.

The group would be YG's first new boy band since Treasure debuted in 2020. The company had not publicly explained the delay before Wednesday's announcement.

Yang's remarks indicate that both groups are still preparing their debut material, with their launch dates dependent on the selection of main tracks.

In an Oct. 6 report on YG Entertainment, Hwang Ji-won, an analyst at iM Securities, projected that promotions for the new boy group could begin before the end of the year, while the girl group could debut in 2027.

Yang said he expects the two groups to play an important role in YG's future alongside Treasure and Babymonster, adding that he is personally making every effort to ensure they are fully prepared for their debuts.

"I'll be back toward the end of this year with another YG Announcement video, bringing you more exciting updates and good news," he said.

Babymonster, Treasure prepare new singles

Yang also announced upcoming releases from Babymonster and Treasure, with Babymonster set to release its digital single "Deserve" on Oct. 23.

"Although 'Deserve' is a slower-paced song, it carries an intensity unlike anything Babymonster has released before," Yang said.

Babymonster is currently on its second world tour, "Choom," with 31 concerts scheduled across 18 cities on five continents. The group is also preparing a new album for early next year.

Treasure, meanwhile, will release its digital single "Shock" on Nov. 2, following its EP "New Wav" in June.

Yang described the upcoming single as a powerful hip-hop track that continues the group's shift in musical direction.

"With 'New Wav' marking the beginning of their second chapter, Treasure has been making its biggest changes in musical direction," he said.