The Boyz Quit, BTS Historic Performance, Taemin at Grammy Museum

Three Agencies, One Identity: Will THE BOYZ Be 11 Again?

For K-pop fans, the words “contract termination” always signal alarm bells. But for “The B”, the devoted fandom of 4th-generation boy group THE BOYZ, the group’s latest departure from ONE HUNDRED reads like a renewed possibility: the chance of seeing all 11 members together again.

On March 19, nine members of THE BOYZ, Sangyeon, Jacob, Younghoon, Hyunjae, Juyeon, Kevin, Q, Sunwoo, and Eric, excluding the member New, confirmed through their legal representative that the group stated that their contracts had been formally ended as of February 10, 2026. The group cited unpaid settlement fees dating back to July 2025, repeated refusals to provide transparent financial documentation, and a broader failure to meet basic management obligations.

Despite continuing activities throughout the dispute, the members ultimately concluded that the breakdown of trust had become irreparable. All ten had submitted termination notices to CEO Cha Ga Won in February, but negotiations failed to produce a resolution.

ONE HUNDRED responded hours later, emphasizing that the contracts had been signed under the premise that all 11 members would remain active as a single team. The agency pointed to last year’s controversy surrounding the departure of Ju Haknyeon as a disruption to normal group operations, adding that it had made efforts to sustain activities despite financial losses and could not accept the members’ termination request.

However, the broader context casts doubt on the agency’s claim that their financial strain is a result of THE BOYZ. Following Ju Haknyeon’s departure in June 2025, THE BOYZ remained active, launching a world tour, releasing new music, and continuing fanmeets. While no official financial disclosures have been made, such activities are typically key revenue drivers in the K-pop industry.

Much of the divide in perception centers on Ju Haknyeon’s exit.

Even though the company has characterized his departure as voluntary, the singer has publicly disputed that narrative. While talking to Billboard Ju Haknyeon revealed that his removal followed media reports alleging illegal activity, claims that were later dismissed by police. He maintains that he was pressured into signing a termination agreement under the threat of significant financial penalties, asserting that the circumstances surrounding his exit were driven by management decisions rather than personal choice.

It is also worth noting that, in addition to ONE HUNDRED, CEO Cha Ga Won’s other music labels, Big Planet Made and INB100, have reportedly faced capital impairment and unpaid settlements involving multiple artists, further strengthening the group’s claims, though full financial details remain unverified.

Since their 2017 debut, THE BOYZ have navigated three agencies: Cre.ker Entertainment (2017–2021), IST Entertainment (2021–2024), and 100 Label (2024–2026). Across those transitions, the group remained largely intact, an uncommon level of stability for an 11-member act in an industry where lineup changes are often expected.

That perspective also shapes how fans view the possibility of a reunion.

While New’s status remains unconfirmed, it is widely speculated that he is currently fulfilling prior commitments related to his musical “Romeo and Juliet”, which opens on March 24. No official statement has been released regarding his contract status.

Notably, when the group departed IST Entertainment in 2024, all members were granted rights to use the name “THE BOYZ” for both group and individual activities, a detail that could prove significant as their next chapter unfolds.

Through agency changes, public controversies, and now a high-stakes contractual dispute, THE BOYZ have maintained a cohesion that extends beyond management structures. If their history offers any indication, the possibility of THE BOYZ standing as 11 once again may not be as distant as it seems.

ICYMI:

• BTS performed "ARIRANG" live at the historic Gwanghwamun Square to a massive audience. While the exact attendance figures remain unconfirmed, the Seoul Metropolitan Government and police estimated 40,000 to 42,000 at 8:00 p.m. KST, while HYBE put it at around 104,000 citing mobile network data and foreign visitors.

• Taemin has become the first K-pop soloist to receive a dedicated display at the Grammy Museum this April, ahead of his Coachella debut.

• BTS’ Suga has co-authored a clinical manual for the MIND program, a music-based social skills training initiative for children and adolescents on the autism spectrum.

• NDOUBLE, a new group consisting of Zhang Hao, Kim Gyuvin, Ricky, and Han Yujin, is set to debut in May, with reports suggesting additional members may be added to the lineup.

• T.O.P (former BIGBANG) is confirmed to make his first solo comeback in years on April 3.

Upcoming Tours & Performances

• XLOV announces the "2026 XLOV Oceania Tour" with three dates.

• KCON Japan announces multiple special stages: ZEROBASEONE’s Kim Taerae x Kim Jawhwan, ZEROBASEONE’s Kim Jiwoong solo, and ZEROBASEONE’s Park Gunwook & Seok Mathew x JO1’s Junki & Ren.

• Lollapalooza Chicago 2026 reveals its lineup, including multiple K-pop acts: I-DLE on Friday, Jennie and CORTIS on Saturday, and aespa.

• AMPERS&ONE announces the "2026 Live Tour: Born to Define," with 17 dates across South Korea and the USA, with more to be added later.

• MONSTA X’s Shownu x Hyungwon to perform at Waterbomb Seoul 2026.

• NouerA announces the world tour "Catch The Wave," including five European dates, three in Asia, and two in North America.

Favorite New Music This Week

BTS finally made their long-awaited group album return with ARIRANG on Friday, and while the title track “SWIM” and B-sides deliver, “Body to Body” emerges as the standout.

It elevates a slightly disjointed album into something more cohesive and memorable by best capturing the project’s core identity. Its textured production, layered with pansori elements and an Arirang folk sample in the closing moments, gives the track a distinctive emotional pull that feels both rooted and contemporary. The song’s fluidity and atmosphere align seamlessly with the album’s concept, making it arguably the defining moment of the entire record.

NEXT WEEK’S COMEBACK SCHEDULE

• Sunday, March 22, 2026

  • N/A

• Monday, March 23, 2026

  • Yuna (ITZY): 1st Mini “Ice Cream”

  • OWIS: 1st Mini Album “Museum”

• Tuesday, March 24, 2026

  • Baby DONT Cry: 1st Mini Album “After Cry”

• Wednesday, March 25, 2026

  • Moon Byul: 3rd Single “rev”

  • BAO: 1st Single Album “1Love”

• Thursday, March 26, 2026

  • Kangmin (VERIVERY): 1st Single Album “Free Falling”

• Friday, March 27, 2026

  • Sorn (CLC): Album “Letter left Unread”

• Saturday, March 28, 2026

  • Jo Kwon: Digital Single “Like I Do”

— Javeria Yousuf

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