YG Entertainment is pumping out idols: All the new stars to look for

YG Entertainment keeps the pipeline moving with fresh talent and established acts alike, feeding the constant demand for new music and performances. The company has moved past the pandemic-era setbacks that once stalled launches, and current momentum points to multiple projects rolling out over the next few years. Fans track each announcement closely, knowing YG has a track record of turning long development cycles into major commercial results.

The label still leans on its signature mix of survival-show vetting, extended training periods, and strategic branding. That approach produced BLACKPINK and continues to shape the next wave of acts. The focus remains squarely on music and live performance, with resources redirected away from acting ventures toward idol development and catalog expansion.

Treasure

Treasure finally debuted in August 2020 after years of anticipation and several delays. Originally assembled through the 2018 survival program YG Treasure Box, the group launched with twelve members and has since settled at ten following the departures of Mashiho and Bang Yedam. The current lineup includes Choi Hyun-suk, Jihoon, Yoshi, Junkyu, Yoon Jae-hyuk, Asahi, Haruto, Doyoung, Park Jeong-woo, and So Jung-hwan, with Yoon Jae-hyuk and Haruto serving as co-leaders.

The group has built a steady catalog and a strong touring footprint, especially in Japan where cumulative concert attendance has passed 970,000. Their fourth mini album NEW WAV arrived in June 2026, continuing a pattern of consistent releases. Subunit activities, particularly from the rap line, have kept members visible between full-group schedules, and tours are booked into 2027. The long road from survival show to million-seller status shows how YG’s extended development model plays out once an act reaches the market.

Baby Monsters or BAEMON

The girl group long rumored under names like Baby Monsters or BAEMON eventually debuted in April 2024 as BABYMONSTER. The seven-member lineup features Ruka, Pharita, Asa, Ahyeon, Rami, Rora, and Chiquita. After an initial six-member rollout, the full roster stabilized and has since delivered multiple projects, including the 2025 mini album WE GO UP and the 2026 release CHOOM along with singles such as SUGAR HONEY ICE TEA.

The concept leans brighter and more playful than BLACKPINK’s established image, giving YG a contrasting girl-group offering. Trainees once speculated about in 2020 have been replaced by the finalized multinational roster that trained under the company’s system. The group’s early releases have already established a distinct lane within YG’s current roster, and further comebacks are expected through the remainder of the decade.

Next Monster Girl Group Project

YG began teasing another girl group in 2025 under the working title Next Monster. The project targets a four-member lineup built around a girl-crush concept, a deliberate shift from BABYMONSTER’s brighter tone. Partial member reveals started that year, with names such as Evelli and Chanya appearing in early promotional materials and practice clips.

Announcements have followed a sequential pattern, with additional members expected to surface over time. Current planning points to a potential 2027 debut once BABYMONSTER’s initial cycle completes. The strategy mirrors past YG moves that space out girl-group launches to avoid internal competition and maintain distinct branding for each act.

Upcoming Boy Group Debut Plans

In March 2026 YG confirmed a new five-member boy group slated for a fall debut, the first since Treasure. Yang Hyun-suk described preparations as complete, positioning the launch as part of the company’s 30th-anniversary slate. The announcement signals a return to the boy-group lane after a six-year gap.

Details on the members and concept remain limited, but the timeline aligns with YG’s pattern of using milestone years for major rollouts. The project is expected to draw from the same extended training pipeline that shaped Treasure, with an emphasis on live performance and international market reach from the start.

YG's Shift to Music-Only Focus

YG closed its actor management division, YG Stage, in January 2025. Existing contracts were honored through completion, but no new acting talent is being signed. The move redirected resources toward idol training, music production, and global touring infrastructure.

The decision reflects a broader industry trend among major agencies to consolidate around music amid rising costs for content production and live events. With the acting roster gone, YG’s calendar now centers on new group debuts, BLACKPINK’s 10th-anniversary activities planned for later 2026, and ongoing Treasure schedules. The streamlined structure keeps the company’s output focused on recorded music and concerts rather than scripted projects.

Treasure's Post-Debut Milestones

Since their 2020 debut, Treasure has moved from survival-show finalists to consistent chart performers and arena headliners. The group’s Japanese market performance stands out, with cumulative attendance figures crossing 970,000 across multiple tours. Leadership has rotated as members gained experience, and the current co-leader arrangement between Yoon Jae-hyuk and Haruto reflects that evolution.

NEW WAV, released in June 2026, marked another commercial step forward. Subunit rap activities and variety appearances have kept individual members visible between full-group releases. The trajectory shows how YG’s long development cycles can translate into sustained touring and catalog growth once an act clears its initial hurdles.

BLACKPINK wrapped its Deadline world tour in early 2026 and is preparing 10th-anniversary events for later in the year. No full-group album has been confirmed for 2026 amid ongoing contract discussions, but the group remains central to YG’s international strategy. The label’s current emphasis on new debuts alongside established acts keeps the roster balanced and the release schedule active.