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YG chief wants to work 9 more years with Big Bang

  • Published : Apr 27, 2015 - 11:59
  • Updated : Apr 27, 2015 - 11:59

The head of YG Entertainment, one of the three major talent agencies in South Korea, has shown his intent to extend a contract with the boy band Big Bang which is set to expire next year.

"When I created Big Bang, the average lifespan of an idol group was only four to five years. I started the group with a pledge to make it a long-lasting group, and now I think I kept the promise as they have remained active for nine years," Yang Hyun-suk told reporters, emerging from the group's concert in Seoul on Sunday night.

"I want to do this nine more years," he said, indicating that he hopes to extend the exclusive management contract with the boy band. The contract is set to expire in the middle of next year.

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K-pop success acts Big Bang (top) and 2NE1. (YG Entertainment)
As most of Big Bang's five members are currently engaged in solo activities, the team would be able to remain active even if some of the members join the Army, Yang said.

In South Korea, all able-bodied South Korean men are subject to compulsory military service for about two years.

"I think we'll be able to maintain the team even if up to two members enlist into the military," he stressed.

The band unveiled "Loser" and "Bae Bae," both to be included on their upcoming new album, during the concerts at Seoul's Olympic Park on Saturday and Sunday.

They earlier announced a plan to release a single on the first day of every month from May to August, and a new album titled "Made" around Sept. 1 with the songs to be released during the four months.

"I plan to release two new songs each month and a music video for at least one song," Yang said. "I want to let the people know as many songs as possible."

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Yang Hyun-suk, the head of management YG Entertainment, on the music competition program "K-pop Star." (SBS)
Speaking about future plans for other K-pop acts managed by YG, he said singer CL's new album will likely hit record stores this summer. CL leads the popular girl group 2NE1.

"She'll first work in the United States and join 2NE1's activities later whether the outcome is good or bad," he said.

He indicated that he is willing to push for the band's advance into the U.S. market if CL is successful there.

"There are many variables depending on the outcome of CL's activities," he said. "2NE1 can be able to be known through CL. Park Bom and Sandara Park speak English well, too," he added, referring to two other members of the quartet.

iKON, a rookie boy band created and managed by YG, is likely to make a debut soon, he said. (Yonhap)

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