(Marie Claire)

Five-member boy band Beast announced the official establishment of their independent label, Around US Entertainment, Friday.

Around US Entertainment issued a statement via their official website reading, “With a new year marks a new start for Around US Entertainment and our artists: Yoseob, Junhyung, Doojoon, Kikwang and Dongwoon. It will mark the start of their second life and we are here to tell the loving fans about this new beginning.”

“We are grateful to CEO Hong Seung-sung and the employees of Cube Entertainment, who have created and looked after Beast.

“We are named Around US Entertainment because we wish to engage with and be closer to fans more frequently. Like our name suggests, we will attempt to create more music and content that everyone can enjoy anywhere around us.

“Our artists still have a long path to walk and have much more to do. We promise that we will do our best to provide joy to our fans. Please accept us positively, as the label and our artists walk down this path together.”

By Lee Sang-won (sangdoze@heraldcorp.com)