YG Entertainment has released an updated statement about TREASURE13, confirming the group’s debut plans and Ha Yoonbin‘s departure.
Prior to releasing their statement, YG teased their debut on their official Twitter.
#TREASURE NEW START#트레저 #NEWSTART #YG @ygtreasuremaker pic.twitter.com/EJSFWTeHcP
— YG FAMILY (@ygent_official) January 6, 2020
The agency first thanked fans for waiting so long for the group’s debut, and the decision to combine both TREASURE and MAGNUM to one group.
Hello, this is YG Entertainment.
First, we would like to sincerely thank our fans for waiting so long for the debut of TREASURE, which was formed through YG Treasure Box last year.
We would like to provide 3 updates to YG’s new boy group TREASURE, who are preparing to make their official debut.
The first news is that while YG selected 7 members for TREASURE and 6 for MAGNUM, and also collectively named them TREASURE13, we decided to combine the 3 groups into one name, TREASURE.
It was a decision made to focus more on TREASURE’s successful debut and growth, so please understand our decision.
In the future, TREASURE will provide opportunities for fans to get close with the members in more diverse ways, not just with the group’s activities, but also members’ unit groups and solo activities.
— YG Entertainment
YG Entertainment also confirmed the members will now be able to participate in producing for the group.
The second news is that we will remove our plan that initially excluded the members from participating in songwriting, and we will encourage and support the TREASURE members to actively participate.
The biggest reason for this change is because of the members’ voluntary work the past few months. While their debut was delayed, they were working by themselves and their work was praised by each other. With the discovery of their new talents, TREASURE will have a great opportunity to shine even more.
— YG Entertainment
They also revealed one piece of bad news for fans of the group, as Ha Yoonbin will no longer debut with TREASURE, hence the change from TREASURE13 to just TREASURE.
The final, bad news is that Ha Yoonbin left TREASURE on December 31, 2019.
After long consideration, Ha Yoonbin asked the company for consultation, saying he thinks his personal musical direction is more fit for a soloist instead of in a group, and we met several times.
We have agreed to respect Ha Yoonbin’s opinion and on December 31, we agreed to terminate his contract.
We will sincerely support his bright future after working hard with YG Entertainment and TREASURE for the past 15 months.
TREASURE, which will not be a 12 member group, will be introducing new contents via various social media channels starting in January 2020.
YG Entertainment will make every effort to support TREASURE’s successful debut and their musical career.
Please give them a lot of support and attention.
Thank you.
— YG Entertainment
