However, in 2019 TS Entertainment stated that BAP has been dissolved. Yongguk and Zelo decided to leave TS Entertainment, then Himchan, Daehyun, Jongup, and Youngjae also decided to leave the agency and start new careers with a different agency. TS Entertainment released their statement and their contract with the agency. It was also reported by a separate news outlet that the group will ultimately disband, as member Youngjae had already reportedly signed a contract with an up and coming new agency, while Himchan, Daehyun and Jongup still had not decided on a new agency yet. In this article, Channel Korea will explain all about BAP members after leaving TS Entertainment. Check this out!
Conflict Between BAP and TS Entertainment.
TS Entertainment gave a related statement about the release of all BAP members from TS Entertainment. The agency wrote, “Hello, this is TS Entertainment. We are writing to let you know TS Entertainment has concluded its exclusive contract with BAP members Himchan, Daehyun, Youngjae, and Jongup. After the conclusion of their contract period with TS Entertainment, we have mutually agreed that We would like to sincerely thank all the fans, both Korean and foreign, who have sent a lot of love to Himchan, Daehyun, Youngjae, and Jongup. Please send them lots of love in the future too.” Apparently, there were several conflicts between BAP and TS Entertainment.
First Lawsuit in 2014
In 2014, all the BAP members filed a lawsuit with TS Entertainment that they had not received their payment since debuting. According to the report, the members’ claims are the most advantageous to the company and unfavorable to the members. All members of BAP filed a lawsuit to the Seoul Western District Court on November 27, 2014. The report stated that the official contract starting date was signed, but the release of the first album, and continues for a duration of seven plus years. Regarding this, TS Entertainment immediately gave a statement. “Thus far, TS Entertainment has done our best to support our artist B.A.P and the group various promotions with a common goal. As we revealed this past October 28, we have taken a break from our artists the primary concern. We have found out about the sudden lawsuit through news reports.” “Currently, we are looking into the details of the matter. However, the ‘unfair contract clauses’ and ‘slave contracts,’ which were reported in the previous reports as main treatment by the agency also never happened.” “Upon confirming the details of the lawsuit, we will be taking the proper steps to see it through. We sincerely apologize to all the fans of TS Entertainment artists for causing concern.”
Settlement with TS Entertainment and Comeback with Matrix
Regarding the lawsuit, BAP and TS Entertainment finally discussed the matter. The management company TS Entertainment has announced that the boy group has officially returned to the agency on August 1, 2015. TS Entertainment wrote, “Hello, this is TS Entertainment. Firstly, we would like to apologize again for causing concern for the unexpected occurrences within the past few months. Since the problem occurred on November 11th 2014, we have prioritized the issue of our best efforts to recover the trust with B.A.P. Through our series of numerous communication trials and efforts, we finally recovered the trustees from each other and returned to TS Entertainment on August 1, 2015. No matter what the reason is, we fully recognize that this long process has been a painful one for the BAP members, their parents, and the fans who have always been the source of unwavering support, and promise that we will make our earnest effort to create BAP’s bright future. We are very thankful to the fans, who have patiently waited for B.A.P Returns, and those who have supported us with your unwavering trust. TS Entertainment will continue to create a better environment for all of our artists and focus on bringing better music to you all.” In 2015, after returning to TS Entertainment, BAP made a comeback with their fourth mini-album, Matrix. Their comeback certainly made BAP fans happy and felt that BAP was fine with TS Entertainment. Their comeback managed to steal fans’ attention and get a good response.
The Members Departure From TS Entertainment
In 2018, Yongguk had surprised the public because of his statement that he had decided to leave BAP and leave TS Entertainment after being on hiatus for two years since 2016. Yongguk decided not to renew his contract with TS Entertainment and will join another agency. After TS Entertainment confirmed that Yongguk was out, many fans were surprised and some regretted Yongguk’s decision. In his personal social media, Yongguk wrote the letter shown to everyone, including his fans. “A letter written at dawn with a beautiful moon. First of all, I want to bow my head and apologize to BABY that I have always cherished and loved B. A for bringing disappointing news. I’ve taken everyone’s hopes and taken it with a heavy responsibility. Please take that to mean that it is so big and precious to me. It’s hard to put into words how much the B.A.P members and BABYz have been since I debuted. When I look back, I feel like I was a small, lacking person, but fans and members helped me mature into a big, amazing artist, and I feel like I was indebted deeply. I will etch this gratitude deep in my heart and never forget it. I am thankful for sending me love, support, and encouragement that I don’t deserve. Please protect the B.A.P members and B.A.P, who I cherish most. No matter when and where, I will continue moving forward and doing music as B.A.P’s leader Bang Yong Guk. Please watch over me. I always love and respect you.” Shortly after Yongguk left the B.A.P, in December, 2018, Zelo also decided to leave B.A.P. TS Entertainment immediately gave a related statement about the release of Zelo from B.A.P, which of course surprised fans. TS Entertainment also released an official statement, “Hello. This is TS Entertainment. We are informing you that B.A.P The Zelo’s exclusive contract with TS Entertainment has expired. After holding numerous discussions as we approached the end date of our contract with Zelo, who has been with us since December 2, 2011, we have mutually decided that the Zelo’s exclusive contract will end on December 2, 2018 and that he will leave B.A.P. We express our gratitude to Zelo, which is most up to the very end, and we promise to send Zelo our warm support in the future as it makes it a fresh start and goes on to show great things. Once again, we would like to thank both Zelo and all the people who have given B.A.P so much love. Thank you.” After the release of Yongguk and Zelo in 2018 from B.A.P, Himchan, Jongup, Youngjae and Daehyun decided not to extend their contract with B.A.P in 2019. Regarding this, TS Entertainment also released a statement, “Hello. This is TS Entertainment. We would like to notify you that TS exclusive contracts with B.A.P Members Himchan, Daehyun, Youngjae, and Jongup have ended. B.A.P members Himchan, Daehyun, Youngjae, and Jongup have with TS Entertainment endings, we have an agreement that is not renewed. We wish to sincerely thank you for the Korean and international fans who have sent their love to B.A.P Members Himchan, Daehyun, Youngjae, and Jongup, and we hope you will continue to support them in the future. Thank you.”
