AKMU Ends 12-Year Partnership With YG Entertainment

Sibling duo AKMU is officially parting ways with YG Entertainment after spending more than a decade with the agency.

On November 21, YG Entertainment confirmed that AKMU, comprised of Lee Chan Hyuk and Lee Su Hyun, has decided to leave the company and pursue their careers independently. According to the agency, the decision followed a long period of reflection and discussion about the duo’s future direction.

YG Entertainment revealed that approximately six months earlier, executive producer Yang Hyun Suk visited the home of the AKMU members for dinner.

During the gathering, the siblings personally prepared a meal while spending time reminiscing about their journey together. The conversation reportedly included memories dating back to their first meeting on the audition program “K-Pop Star Season 2” in 2012, as well as the many experiences they shared during the 12 years that followed.

During the dinner, the artists and Yang Hyun Suk also spoke candidly about the concerns AKMU had been considering regarding their next step as musicians.

According to YG, the duo had been contemplating whether to continue their activities under the agency that had supported them for over a decade or to explore a new path by pursuing their music independently.

The agency explained that Yang Hyun Suk encouraged the artists as they considered both possibilities. He reportedly suggested that stepping away from YG and experiencing music activities in a different environment could also be meaningful for their artistic growth. The producer conveyed his willingness to support them even after they left the company.

YG noted that the decision reflected AKMU’s identity as artists who consistently seek new challenges and creative directions. Encouraged by Yang Hyun Suk’s support, the siblings ultimately chose to move forward independently and begin a new chapter in their careers.

AKMU first rose to fame after winning “K-Pop Star Season 2” in 2013, after which they signed with YG Entertainment. The duo made their official debut in 2014 with their first full-length album, which included the widely loved tracks “200%” and “Give Love.” Over the years, AKMU continued to release numerous successful songs, earning recognition as one of South Korea’s most beloved sibling music acts.

The agency expressed gratitude for the time they spent working together and reflected on the duo’s musical journey. YG Entertainment stated that watching Lee Chan Hyuk and Lee Su Hyun grow as artists while maintaining their passion for music had been a rewarding experience.

According to the statement, the AKMU members expressed heartfelt appreciation toward Yang Hyun Suk and the company before departing. They reportedly shared handwritten letters and conveyed their gratitude with a formal bow. The duo also expressed that they would always consider themselves part of the “YG Family” and promised they would return if called upon.

YG Entertainment concluded by affirming that the company will continue to support AKMU in the future and asked fans to show ongoing interest and encouragement as the duo begins this new stage of their musical journey.

The agency’s full statement is as follows:

Hello, this is YG Entertainment.

About six months ago, our executive producer Yang Hyun Suk visited the home of AKMU members Lee Chan Hyuk and Lee Su Hyun for a shared dinner.

While enjoying a meal the members personally prepared, they reminisced about the joyful moments they’ve shared since first meeting on the audition program “K-Pop Star Season 2” in 2012, as well as the 12 years that followed. They also had a sincere conversation about the concerns AKMU had been thinking over.

AKMU’s only dilemma was whether to continue with YG, whom they have been with for the past 12 years, or to take on a new challenge by going independent.

Yang Hyun Suk was the first to encourage AKMU, who were standing at a crossroads between two choices, by telling them that stepping away from YG and trying their music activities in a new environment could also be a meaningful experience. He sincerely conveyed that he would fully support them from behind.

It was because he has always understood AKMU’s nature, artists who constantly seek new paths and challenges. Encouraged by his warm support, AKMU ultimately decided to embark on a new journey.

After winning “K-Pop Star Season 2” in 2013, AKMU chose YG as their agency. Since releasing their first full-length album in 2014, which included the hit tracks “200%” and “Give Love,” the duo has delivered numerous hit songs over the past 12 years and established themselves as one of the nation’s most beloved sibling duos.

It has been a great joy for us to watch the siblings grow step by step, filled with pure passion for music. We express our deepest gratitude to AKMU for sharing amazing music and moving the hearts of the public throughout our time together.

Until the very end, the AKMU members expressed, “We will forever be YG Family,” and told us that they would always come running if called upon. They also each gave a heartfelt handwritten letter, along with a deep formal bow, to express their gratitude to Yang Hyun Suk, who nurtured their careers.

Just as AKMU’s sincerity remains unchanged, YG also remains firm in seeing them as family. We wholeheartedly support their new challenge and will actively help them whenever needed. We kindly ask for fans’ continued interest and warm support for AKMU as they begin this new chapter.