B.A.P in “Live On Earth 2014” concert (Photo Credit: Starnews| AFP via Getty Images)
K-pop boy group B.A.P‘s popularity was one of a kind. However, within years of debut, the group went on a hiatus. As four members of B.A.P. tease a potential comeback in 2024, this article looks at B.A.P.’s hiatus and disbandment controversy to unearth the truth about the group.
B.A.P debuted in 2012 with the hit single “Warrior” on January 26, 2012. Within weeks of their debut, the group’s popularity prompted them to release their first EP in February. While B.A.P did not hail from a big agency, their growing fame caused K-pop fans to compare them with SM Entertainment‘s (then) rookie group, EXO.
The K-pop group’s EP Warrior peaked at number 10 on the Billboard World Albums Chart, a feat of global achievement that very few could pull in the pre-BTS era. However, within two years of their debut and success, the boy group lodged a lawsuit against the founding company, TS Entertainment, in 2014. Since then, it has been a tumultuous journey for the members, with plenty of obstacles and an inevitable hiatus.
Who are the members of K-pop group B.A.P & why were they on a break?
B.A.P debuted with six members – Yongguk, Daehyun, Youngjae, Jongup, Zelo, and Himchan. Within two years of their grand debut and first successful world tour, the members filed a lawsuit against their music label, TS Entertainment. They accused the agency of perpetuating unfair profit distribution and harsh treatment.
In the initial lawsuit, B.A.P allegedly claimed that their contracts with TS Entertainment could be compared to “slave contracts.” The contracts reportedly contained clauses that violated civil rights, unfair profit distribution, etc. The group highlighted that their promotions and constant comeback from 2012 to 2014 gained approximately 10 billion won (approx. 9.1 million USD) in sales and revenue. Still, each member only earned around 18 million won (approx. 16.3 thousand USD).
TS Entertainment responded to the initial reports stating, “the ‘unfair contract clauses’ and ‘slave contracts,’ that were mentioned in previous reports as the main issues brought up by the lawsuit do not exist, and unilateral unfair treatment of the artist by our agency also never happened.”
The music label also canceled all future promotions while the legal issue was ongoing. They clarified: “With the condition of our artists the primary concern, we canceled all official promotions for the group. B.A.P. was taking a break. Amid discussions with the group about their future promotions, we found out about the sudden lawsuit through news reports.”
The lawsuit caused B.A.P. to take their first break from 2014 to 2015. The group settled the case with TS Entertainment. They returned to the music scene in 2015 with the eighth EP, Matrix.
From 2015 onwards, B.A.P. released over two extended plays, one studio album, and multiple hit singles. B.A.P.’s two studio albums and extended plays topped the Billboard World Albums chart, showing their overseas popularity. The group’s Japanese albums, including Best, Absolute, Perfect, Unlimited, and Massive, also gained popularity in the neighboring country. All of them ranked within the top 10 on the Oricon Album Chart.
Despite considerable popularity, B.A.P’s 2014 hiatus slowed its growth compared to rising groups like EXO and BTS. In 2018, two group members, Yongguk and Zelo, left the act after their contract with TS Entertainment expired.
The other four members also ended their contract with TS Entertainment in 2019, temporarily disbanding the group and putting it on hiatus. While fans were confused about the group’s future, Jongup assured them that a future reunion would not be impossible.
The 29-year-old Korean artist said in an interview, “Because we each have different situations and plans for the future, we can’t do it right now. But I always think we’ll be able to work together again someday.”
Jongup kept his promise. The boy group has teased a possible comeback in 2024 with the release of their new documentary, Man on the Moon. Four members, Moon Jongup, Jung Daehyun, Yoo Youngjae, and Bang Yongguk, faced the camera in the teaser. The group thanked fans for supporting them all this time.
The quartet says, “We are finally together. As much as you have supported us, we will show you how much we have grown musically. We hope you are looking forward to it.” While not much is disclosed from the documentary, fans expect an impressive comeback from the K-pop act, which has contributed to some evergreen tunes of Korean music.
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