Yang Hyun-suk, the founder of YG Entertainment, recently made a thrilling announcement: Ahyeon is rejoining BABYMONSTER! This news comes after her brief departure from the group a while back.
BABYMONSTER | YG Surprise Announcement
In November 2023, YG Entertainment announced that Ahyeon would sit out BABYMONSTER’s debut, citing health issues. While the label didn’t provide specifics, they committed to supporting her recovery. However, some speculated that her hiatus wasn’t health-related but due to a controversy involving her use of a racial slur during a performance at Hanlim Arts High School. A video of this incident went viral on social media, sparking significant backlash just before BABYMONSTER’s debut.
@quicktoxic Career didn’t even start yet #babymonster #ahyeon #ahyeonbabymonster
Regardless of the reasons behind her hiatus, YG Entertainment now deems Ahyeon ready to rejoin the group. She will participate in the group’s upcoming comeback with their first mini-album this spring. Consequently, BABYMONSTER will be recording new seven-member versions of their first two singles, “BATTER UP” and the pre-release single “Stuck In the Middle.” The original versions didn’t feature Ahyeon.
Ahyeon is expected to boost the group’s appeal
Ahyeon’s absence was keenly felt during the group’s debut, as she was long considered a potential superstar within YG Entertainment. Some critics and fans attribute the lukewarm reception of BABYMONSTER to the fact that Ahyeon wasn’t with the others at the time. Now that she’s back, her presence is expected to boost the group’s performance and appeal.
Following their comeback with “Stuck In the Middle” on February 1, and the release of their first mini-album around April, YG Entertainment has plans for the rookie group to release their first full-length album towards the end of the year. Yang Hyun-suk also revealed that YG Entertainment has expanded its in-house production team. This indicates that they now have enough manpower to ensure the timely release of the girl group’s new material.
Korean netizens have reacted positively to Ahyeon’s return, expressing excitement and high expectations for the impact she will bring to the rookie group. Their comments ranged from welcoming her back to expressing excitement for the group’s upcoming releases. – K-Pop News Writer
Featured Image: Fans are buzzing about Ahyeon’s return. Source: X/@BABYMONGLOBAL.