There’s arguably no K-Pop girl group that has had a more tumultuous career than BBGIRLS (formerly Brave Girls). While they debuted in 2011 under Brave Entertainment as a five-member group, they underwent massive changes in their line-up throughout the next several years until they finally settled on the four-member line-up they’re best-known for in 2019: Minyoung, Yujeong, Eunji, and Yuna.
BBGIRLS | @weare_bbgirls/Twitter
And though they remained relatively unknown for the majority of their group’s lifespan to the point where they were on the brink of disbanding without making any major impact on the industry, pretty much every K-Pop fan knows now about their viral hit “Rollin’” that spiked in popularity in 2021, but was originally released in 2017.
Despite this major opportunity to ride on their newfound fame, however, Brave Entertainment seemed to not know how to do so properly, and their following comebacks didn’t perform nearly as well as their viral hit. After a couple more releases, they eventually left the label in February 2023 and, though they were thought to also be disbanding, it turns out that it was only temporary while the group found a new label to reunite under.
| @weare_bbgirls/Twitter
They ended up joining Warner Music Korea in April 2023 with their same four-member line-up. It was here that they renamed themselves BBGIRLS, and they released their first single album, One More Time, in August, which included the tracks “One More Time” and “Lemonade”. After that, the group’s musical career seemed to come to a standstill once more, and they’ve remained pretty quiet until now.
| Warner Music Korea
On April 21, 2024, Warner Music Korea announced that BBGIRLS would be leaving the company after long discussions and with the expiration of their year-long contracts. Following this, the members have established their own company, BBGIRLS Company, to continue their activities.
브브걸 (BBGIRLS) 계약 종료 안내 pic.twitter.com/CJfaL1lG5r
— Warner Music Korea (@Warner_Music_Kr) April 22, 2024
Additionally, BBGIRLS themselves also shared that Yujeong would not be joining the rest of the group on their journey together.
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브브걸(BBGIRLS) 향후 활동 계획 안내
https://t.co/Bbl9MjDdTg pic.twitter.com/MqFkMsT36D
— 브브걸 (BBGIRLS) (@weare_bbgirls) April 22, 2024
Hello. This is BBGIRLS.
BBGIRLS mutually agreed with Warner Music Korea to end our exclusive contracts with the expiration of the contract period. We would like to thank Warner Music Korea for their support in [BBGIRLS’] activities until now. BBGIRLS plans to start a new journey at BBGIRLS Company.
We would like to also inform you of sad news. After an in-depth discussion, it was decided that Youjoung will end her activities as a member of BBGIRLS. The members also decided to respect Youjoung’s opinion. We sincerely thank Youjoung for doing her best as a member of BBGIRLS for a long time, and we will continue to support her in the future.
BBGIRLS plans to continue activities as a three-member group with Minyoung, Eunji, and Yuna going forward. We would like to express our gratitude to BBee, who always sends us so much love, and we ask for your warm support and interest in BBGIRLS who is making a fresh start.
Thank you.
Responses to both statements were emotional, with comments that were scathing towards Warner Music Korea’s lack of promotions for the group and forlorn about the departure of Yujeong.
Why sign them if you couldn’t actually manage them though?
— AniOakley (@Ani_Oakley) April 22, 2024
They deserve a better company. Wish them the best. After their performance lately, I hope they don’t give up on being together as a group, and how powerful they are together <3
— 4am (@InsongSar) April 22, 2024
WE CANT LOSE HER pic.twitter.com/GzfGWsYjde
— ram IS NOT WELL (@braveshabet) April 22, 2024
you ending this contract: pic.twitter.com/M6fPBYxIRX
— elaine (@serendeity) April 22, 2024
Two whole songs in a year. Well done, Warner.
— John Friscia (@JohnFriscia) April 22, 2024
Similar comments were made on a Reddit post discussing the changes to BBGIRLS.
We wish the best for BBGIRLS and Yujeong in whatever they decide to pursue in the future!
