YG Entertainment officially celebrated its 30th anniversary on May 20, marking three decades as one of the most influential agencies in K-pop history.
Founded in 1996 by Yang Hyun-suk, YG became known for its distinct hip-hop identity and trend-setting music style that helped reshape the Korean music industry.
The company first attracted attention through pioneering hip-hop groups such as Jinusean and 1TYM, who played an important role in popularizing Korean hip-hop in the late 1990s.
YG later expanded his influence with powerhouse singers including Gummy, the late Wheesung and Se7en.
The agency’s second-generation idols have elevated YG to global prominence.
BIGBANG has become one of K-pop’s most influential boy groups through experimental music and numerous hit songs that have reshaped industry standards.
Meanwhile, 2NE1 introduced a bold “girl crush” image that attracted fans around the world and helped expand K-pop’s global reach.
YG’s artist roster has since expanded with hit groups including WINNER, iKON, sibling duo AKMU and global superstars BLACKPINK.
Over the past 30 years, YG’s hip-hop-driven identity and strong intellectual property have become major forces in the global entertainment market.
YG is now gearing up for one of its busiest years yet with large-scale projects planned throughout the second half of 2026.
Rookie girl group BABYMONSTER is expected to play an important role in the company’s future expansion.
The group recently topped the YouTube global music video chart with their latest release “YOU CHOOSE”, further demonstrating their growing international popularity.
Following their success, BABYMONSTER are preparing for a major world tour which will include 27 concerts in 18 cities around the world.
The large-scale tour is considered unusually ambitious for such a young group and is expected to further cement their status as rising stars globally.
Boy group TREASURE is also preparing to step up YG activities this year.
Known for their energetic hip-hop sound and strong member participation in production, TREASURE has steadily built a loyal international fan base.
The group will return in June with the mini album NEW WAV, which is expected to showcase a more mature and powerful musical style.
YG also teased the launch of a brand new boy group, which has already become a hot topic among K-pop fans.
According to reports, the new team will inherit YG’s signature hip-hop DNA while introducing a new approach tailored to next-generation global music trends.
The biggest moment for many fans is undoubtedly the return of BIGBANG.
The legendary group recently reunited with YG ahead of their 20th debut anniversary, sparking huge excitement both domestically and internationally.
Starting in August, BIGBANG is expected to launch a large-scale global tour to commemorate the milestone anniversary and reconnect with fans around the world.
From BABYMONSTER’s expanding world tour and TREASURE’s return to the debut of a new boy group and the long-awaited return of BIGBANG, YG Entertainment appears poised to celebrate its 30th anniversary with one of the company’s most ambitious years to date.
Sources: Daum | JTBC
