Hugely Popular Boy Group Is Reportedly Leaving Their Agency… As A Whole Group
It has been reported that The Boyz are planning to leave their agency, IST Entertainment, a subsidiary of Kakao Entertainment, as their contract is set to expire in mid-December.
According to Ten Asia’s report on September 23, the members of The Boyz have decided to look for a new agency rather than renewing their contract with IST. The group is reportedly in talks with agencies that can support their musical ambitions and offer a transparent management system. Industry rumors suggest they are close to finalizing a decision with a specific agency.
Since their contract is nearing its end, The Boyz are legally allowed to engage in talks with other agencies. Its reported the members are determined to continue working as a complete group, reflecting their strong bond.
However, it is uncertain if they will retain the group name “The Boyz,” as the trademark rights belong to IST Entertainment. The label may choose to grant permission or sell the name, but this remains to be discussed. Historically, other groups have adopted new names after leaving their agencies due to similar trademark issues.
Later, a source from IST Entertainment told media outlets, “The Boyz’s exclusive contract has not yet expired,” and “We plan to continue discussions with the members.”
Meanwhile, The Boyz will make a comeback at the end of October, marking their first release in about seven months since their second full album, PHANTASY Pt.3: Love Letter, and its title track Nectar. The group is also wrapping up their third world tour, which kicked off in Seoul and took them to cities across North America, Asia, and Europe.
Debuting in 2017, The Boyz gained significant popularity after winning Mnet’s Road to Kingdom in 2020, followed by their appearance on Kingdom.
Do you think The Boyz should leave IST?
