BLACKPINK's Jisoo, G-Dragon, and Baby Monsters to lead YG Entertainment's resurgence

After a period of underperformance, YG Entertainment is gearing up for a comeback with the help of prominent artists such as BLACKPINK, WINNER, and iKON. The company has been undervalued in recent years, despite the success of BLACKPINK's second full-length album 'BORN PINK' last year. TREASURE's mini-albums 'THE SECOND STEP: CHAPTER ONE' and 'THE SECOND STEP: CHAPTER TWO' also yielded disappointing results.

As SM Entertainment's acquisition rumors heated up, YG Entertainment quietly began to rebound. In February, YG's stock price surged by 42.3% within two months, reaching KRW 62,400. What sparked this renewed optimism in YG?

YG's long-awaited efforts are the foundation for this turnaround. The company has lined up a series of releases, starting with BLACKPINK member Jisoo's solo album in March, the debut of the rookie group Baby Monsters, and a new album from BIGBANG leader G-Dragon.

Jisoo's solo debut had been delayed, raising concerns that it might not happen. However, the wait has been worth it, as her debut album 'ME' broke pre-order records with 1.3 million copies, setting a new high for K-pop female solo artists.

G-Dragon, who has been on hiatus for about six years, has also signaled his comeback. In a fashion magazine interview, he revealed plans to release an album within three months. G-Dragon remains a vital figure in the K-pop idol market, with his past hits still enjoying popularity and breaking the stereotype of 'idol rappers.'

YG is also preparing to debut a new girl group, Baby Monsters, for the first time in seven years. The rookie group consists of three Korean members (Ahyun, Haram, and Lora), two Thai members (Parita and Chikita), and two Japanese members (Ruka and Asa). The final lineup will be determined through the reality show 'Last Evolution.' The official YouTube channel for Baby Monsters has already amassed 1.51 million subscribers, and the survival videos have reached 5 million views.

Industry insiders believe YG's renewed focus on its core business, rather than peripheral ventures such as golf and cosmetics, has allowed for these efforts to take place. With an impressive lineup for the first half of 2023, YG Entertainment's value is expected to rise further. Starting with Jisoo's album, the company is poised for growth and overcoming its undervalued status.

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