It’s a sad day for Kpop fans! The iconic idol band BEAST will no longer be able to promote under that name.
Due to a legal dispute with their former label Cube Entertainment, they will no longer have any right to the name BEAST. Instead, the have decided to rename their group Highlight, the name of one of their previous albums. As such, the group released a statement:
“We would like to announce that Yoon Doo Joon, Yong Junhyung, Yang Yoseob, Lee Gi Kwang, and Son Dongwoon, who were previously known as the group BEAST, will be promoting under a new group name.
With the significance of ‘the brightest part’ or ‘the most exceptional or striking,’ ‘Highlight’ was the name of the first album BEAST made under Cube Entertainment as a five-member group. At the time, the album was named that to signify their emotions as they began anew as five members. Now, the singers will use ‘Highlight’ to mark the start of a new beginning for the group.
We would like to thank the fans who tirelessly waited for the group to return. Furthermore, although the group can no longer use their previous name, we would like to sincerely thank Cube Entertainment and CEO Hong Seung Sung for creating the group that will henceforth be known as Highlight.
Beginning anew, no matter what the situation, is always nerve-racking, so we are preparing carefully. Even though it has been nine years since their debut, as they have had to give up their successful and bright past as BEAST, we believe the group members will feel the same as well. The five artists wanted to return to the public and to their fans more quickly and hope that the public will be understanding of their intentions.
To those who are reading this statement, we ask that you love and cherish the members of Highlight even more than before. We at Around Us will work our hardest to do right by our artists. We ask for your continued support, interest, and love of our five artists as they begin anew as Highlight.”
It’s been reported that Cube Entertainment wanted to keep the name BEAST so they could give it to former member Jang Hyun Seung (who had chosen to leave the group to become a soloist), along with two new recruits with whom he will form a trio.
What do you think of the whole situation? Do you think Highlight should have continued as BEAST? Do you think fans will support a new BEAST, made up only of Jang Hyun Seung and two new members? Let us know in the comment section below!
Regardless of your opinion, it’s safe to say that no one is happy to see BEAST turn out this way after nearly 10 years of being one of the most classic and iconic Kpop groups in the industry. We wish them all the best as they begin this new journey.
lee1086 is the co-founder and director of What The Kpop. When not writing or editing articles, she is watching Kpop music videos or Kdramas. She is a huge fan of Super Junior and the perfection known as Eunsihae. When not obsessing over the flawlessness of Donghae or trying to decide if her SHINee bias is Taemin or Key, she is playing the piano, loving on her dog, and hanging out with her family and friends.