“‘DESERVE’ is a slower-paced song,” Yang reveals, but “carries an intensity unlike anything BABYMONSTER has released before.” With this suggestion, fans can expect a new sound from BABYMONSTER that moves away from the previous dance-pop and hip-hop style that is largely regarded as their signature, and towards “an emotional climax” that harnesses their vocals. It will be interesting to see if this shift garners a positive reception on the same level as their other 2026 projects – especially with the release of a new album intended “early next year.”

For TREASURE, YG Entertainment emphasised the new musical direction taken on by the group in their June mini album NEW WAV. Led by “IF I,” the album experiments with a variety of hip-hop sounds, leaving their pop choruses behind. The shift was well-received and NEW WAV became their second album to surpass one million sales within its first week of release.

As a result, TREASURE plans to produce more music in this new style. “On November 2,” Yang reveals, “TREASURE will release a new digital single, ‘SHOCK,’ featuring a powerful hip-hop sound.” While news of BABYMONSTER’s single had already been shared, there had been no suggestion of new music from TREASURE prior to today’s statement, which therefore came as a surprise for fans. Teasers regarding the single and its concept are expected over the next few weeks.

Finally, Yang unveiled plans for the debut of two new groups: a five-member boy group and a four-member girl group. No debut dates have been decided at this stage, but throughout the remainder of 2026 “both groups plan to record a number of demo songs” – suggesting that discussions concerning each group’s intended sound and debut title track are currently ongoing behind-the-scenes. “Alongside TREASURE and BABYMONSTER,” he said, “these two groups will play an important role in shaping YG’s future.”

It is unusual to hear about the internal timelines of new groups prior to official announcements of their debuts or line-ups, but YG Entertainment has offered fans a glimpse into these plans. For the boy group, who were previously scheduled to debut in September 2026, the update answers questions – but news on a girl group and these matching timelines is unexpected. It prompts curiosity over how the two will intersect, especially following the simultaneous debuts of A2O LITE and A2O SOUL from A2O Entertainment this week. Can we expect to see more simultaneous debuts in the future? If YG, one of the largest K-pop companies, shares similar plans, there is certainly the possibility of a trend forming.

Not only that, but the company has placed great significance on the groups, linking them to the “future” of YG overall. Over the years, YG Entertainment has housed multiple K-pop giants – from influential icons like 2NE1 and BIG BANG, to BLACKPINK and their current artists BABYMONSTER and TREASURE. Pushing ahead with two new groups marks a new era of YG, who have not debuted a new act since 2023. On the boy group side, no debuts have been seen since TREASURE in 2020 – marking the upcoming boy group YG’s first foray into K-pop’s fifth generation. Ultimately, with the legacy of YG behind them, these new names are sure to face high expectations from the industry.

Yang promised an additional, company-wide update towards the end of the year. Further information regarding each of YG Entertainment’s artists individually and their upcoming activities are expected soon, with many of them taking place within the next few months.