Why iKON Left YG Entertainment Even Though The Company Did Everything For Them

iKON ended 2022 with the announcement that they were leaving their longtime label, YG Entertainment, and continuing group activities with all six members under their new agency, 143 Entertainment. It wasn’t long before fans were applauding the decision as the group ramped up their releases, promotions, and schedules, including a world tour that kicked off in Seoul in May just months after the announcement.

iKON in Seoul on their “TAKE OFF” world tour | @CestLeProbleme/Twitter

The first stop on the U.S. leg of iKON’s TAKE OFF world tour was in New York. While there, they spoke with K-Pop columnist Jeff Benjamin and opened up about part of the reason the group decided to leave the company that formed them.

iKON | YG Entertainment

Bobby shared the members met “a really nice guy” from 143 Entertainment, who told them about the company and offered them a “unique opportunity” to learn more about the inner workings of the entertainment industry. He continued that the group had been wanting to learn more about the industry since they were younger, and 143 Entertainment provided them the outlet to do so.

iKON’s Bobby (right) | @iKONIC_143/Twitter

Bobby added, “YG is a very beautiful and great company,” but ultimately, they did everything for the group, while all iKON was expected to do was “be on stage and write music.” DK contributed that, so far, the group has been able to “release [their] albums freely, and make music that resembles iKON’s colors and style freely” since joining 143 Entertainment.

iKON’s DK | @iKONIC_143/Twitter

iKON officially reclaimed all group trademarks from YG Entertainment, allowing them to keep their group name and music.

iKON’s Members Officially Reclaim All Group Trademarks From YG Entertainment

Currently, iKON is promoting individually, as the majority of the members are serving in the military.