“Did Ahyeon Leave The Group?” — Fans Wonder What Is Going On With BABYMONSTER

YG Entertainment was previously set to debut a new girl group, BABYMONSTER. They were expected to lead the next generation in the company, and would be the giant’s first girl group in 7 years, following BLACKPINK’s debut in 2016. Through a survival show, they determined the debut group as Ruka, Pharita, Asa, Ahyeon, Haram, Rora, and Chikita.

BABYMONSTER’s debut group.

Out of all the members, the one with the most public recognition was Ahyeon. She went viral for her cover of “Dangerously” during the show.

아니 정아현 Dangerously 고음 존* 미쳤는데요? 이 아기 명창 뭐야#BABYMONSTER #베몬 #AHYEON #아현 pic.twitter.com/X4MyYDEJnt

— 아잉 (@04AHYEON11) April 20, 2023

Amidst the buzz, YG Entertainment previously announced that the group would be making their debut in September 2023. Various Korean media outlets had already pushed out articles with statements from YG Entertainment that their debut song had already been chosen, and that they would aim to make their debut in September 2023.

Articles about their debut. | theqoo

As September draws to a close, there is still no sign of the group’s potential debut. Amongst doubt, fans began to worry about the girls — especially Ahyeon. While the other six girls were spotted with a staff at BORN PINK’s finale in Seoul, Ahyeon was no where in sight.

BABYMONSTER at BLACKPINK’s concert. | theqoo

Ahyeon has also been suspiciously missing in the group’s recent social media content. Her last video was in July 2023.

It is unsurprising that fans are beginning to worry for her status in the group. With the company keeping mum about it, no one can know for sure. Some speculate that her contract negotiations with the company did not go smoothly, while others wonder if she “took a hiatus for surgery.” As Ahyeon was already known as a visual member, the latter is highly unlikely. Others urged fans not to worry, for delays in debut plans are common.

Netizen reactions. | theqoo

• They promoted the group so hard for awhile, as if they would be debuting soon. I thought it was weird how they got quiet so suddenly. Seems like something is in the way.
• I said that it would be 100% delayed… It can’t be helped with YG Entertainment. It’s like their habit.
• Will they debut within the year? They should’ve debuted new groups before their old groups re-contract.
• Ahyeon is a core member, but she’s no where in sight?
• I’m not even surprised. They did the same with BLACKPINK. You can predict how it’ll go.
• I saw previous articles and they said that they were the hope of K-Pop in 2022, along with IVE, NMIXX, HYBE’s girl group, and Min Hee Jin’s girl group (back then they hadn’t had names yet), but they’ve not yet debuted…
• Huh, I met up with Ahyeon’s relative last month and they said that she was still debuting, as far as they knew. It was the first I heard of her. They told me their relative was debuting and I asked who it was, and it was Ahyeon.
• It’s so funny how even the group that SM Entertainment had been teasing since January 1 finally made their debut, and they’ve yet to.
• They were like this with BLACKPINK too…

No one knows for sure what goes on in the company. Fans can only wait and see. Watch this space for the latest updates about BABYMONSTER!