AKMU Lee Chan-hyuk and Lee Su-hyun are parting ways beautifully with YG Entertainment.
On the 21st, YG Entertainment said "About six months ago, chief producer Yang Hyun-suk visited the home where AKMU members Lee Chan-hyuk·Lee Su-hyun live and had dinner together," and commented on AKMU's future plans.
YG said "We also had candid conversations about the parts AKMU is currently 고민하고 있는," and said "AKMU's only concern was an honest question of whether to continue with YG, with whom they have shared joys and hardships for the past 12 years, or to become independent for a new challenge."
They added, "Chief Yang, facing AKMU at a crossroads between two choices, suggested that leaving YG's fold first and trying music activities in a new environment could be a good experience and encouraged the members, expressing a sincere willingness to support them from behind," and said, "This was because Chief Yang knew better than anyone AKMU's tendency and concern to always take on new paths. Buoyed by Chief Yang's support and warm encouragement, AKMU made the decision, after much deliberation, to try a new path."
Accordingly, AKMU plans to terminate their contract with YG Entertainment and make a new start.
YG said, "It was also a great joy for us to watch the sibling duo, full of pure musical passion, grow step by step. We express deep gratitude to AKMU for gifting the public with remarkable music and emotion during the time we were together," and said, "AKMU members conveyed until the end that 'we are forever YG family' and that they would come running whenever called. The members also each gave a heartfelt handwritten letter to Chief Yang, who raised them, and bowed deeply to express their thanks."
Finally, "Just as AKMU's heartfelt feelings remain, YG's recognition that they are family does not change. We sincerely support their new challenge and will actively assist whenever needed. We ask fans to show much interest and warm support for AKMU as they stand at a new starting line," the statement said.
Meanwhile, AKMU, who debuted in 2014, has produced numerous hit songs with exceptional musical ability and a distinct sensibility, establishing themselves as an artist people 'trust and listen to.'
The following is the agency's full statement.
This is YG Entertainment.
About six months ago, chief producer Yang Hyun-suk visited the home where AKMU members Lee Chan-hyuk·Lee Su-hyun live and had dinner together.
Sharing food the members prepared themselves, it was a time to reminisce about the happy stories from when they first met on the 2012 audition program 'K-pop Star Season 2' through the past 12 years. In addition, we had candid conversations about the parts AKMU is currently 고민하고 있는.
AKMU's only concern was an honest question of whether to continue with YG, with whom they have shared joys and hardships for the past 12 years, or to become independent for a new challenge.
Chief Yang told AKMU, who were deliberating between two choices, that leaving YG's fold first and trying music activities in a new environment could be a good experience, encouraged the members, and expressed a sincere intention to support them from behind.
This was because Chief Yang knew better than anyone AKMU's tendency and concern to always take on new paths. Buoyed by Chief Yang's support and warm encouragement, AKMU made the decision, after much deliberation, to try a new path.
AKMU, the winner of 'K-pop Star Season 2' in 2013, chose YG as their agency at the time. After releasing their first full-length album in 2014, which included title tracks '200%' and 'Give Love,' they have presented numerous hit songs over the past 12 years and have been widely loved by the public as a sibling duo.
It was a great joy for us to watch the sibling duo, full of pure musical passion, grow step by step. We express deep gratitude to AKMU for gifting the public with remarkable music and emotion during the time we were together.
AKMU members conveyed until the end that 'we are forever YG family' and that they would come running whenever called. The members also each gave a heartfelt handwritten letter to Chief Yang, who raised them, and bowed deeply to express their thanks.
Just as AKMU's heartfelt feelings remain, YG's recognition that they are family does not change. We sincerely support their new challenge and will actively assist whenever needed. We ask fans to show much interest and warm support for AKMU as they stand at a new starting line.
[Photo] YG Entertainment
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