YG’s clock for the second half of the year has officially started ticking. The momentum built up in the first half is becoming even more apparent as summer arrives.
While BABYMONSTER and TREASURE lead the growth of the next-generation lineup, anticipation is also peaking for the movements of iconic IPs like BIGBANG and BLACKPINK. With a new boy group arriving for the first time in six years and upcoming projects taking shape, the second half of 2026 is set to be a period where the YG DNA across various generations unfolds in succession.
BABYMONSTER, who made a comeback in May with their third mini album ‘CHOOM’, is once again cementing YG’s signature performance DNA. Continuing their upward trajectory by hitting number one on the iTunes album charts in 19 regions and topping the worldwide album chart, they will release additional new songs and embark on a world tour covering 27 shows across 18 cities in the second half of the year.
Expectations for their global growth are rising even further as they prepare to enter Kyocera Dome Osaka, one of Japan’s five major domes, this September.
In June, TREASURE will take over. They will solidify their presence as “live-performance artists” by pairing their new mini album ‘NEW WAV’ with an overseas tour. General Producer Yang Hyun-suk expressed confidence, calling this album “the result I like the most,” and it is expected to most clearly showcase TREASURE’s unique hip-hop energy and performance DNA.
In August, all eyes are on two teams that symbolize YG’s identity. First, BIGBANG, celebrating their 20th debut anniversary, is raising excitement by teasing the start of a world tour in the second half of the year. Following their proven presence on the recent Coachella stage in the US, global fandom expectations are growing as members consistently mention working on a new album.
BLACKPINK, who also celebrate their 10th debut anniversary in the same month, are mentioned as another major pillar. Having recently reached a career high with their third mini album ‘DEADLINE’, they continue their top-tier global influence through both group and solo activities. While specific plans for the 10th-anniversary project haven’t been revealed yet, there is significant interest in the various ways they might celebrate this symbolic milestone.
A new wave begins this September. YG has announced the launch of a five-member rookie boy group, the first in about six years since TREASURE. The plan is to build a core next-generation IP through an “elite-style team” configuration, which differs from TREASURE’s larger group system. Additionally, with the mention of the next girl group project ‘Next Monster’ (tentative name), YG’s strategy for expanding new IPs is gradually becoming clear.
With BIGBANG and BLACKPINK carrying on YG’s legacy, BABYMONSTER and TREASURE driving current growth, and a new generation joining in, attention is focused on how YG’s massive projects, coinciding with the symbolic 30th anniversary of the company’s founding, will shape the music industry in the second half of the year.
