ATBO’s time as a group has officially come to an end, at least for now. On December 17, IST Entertainment announced the termination of its exclusive contracts with ATBO. This effectively brings the group’s activities to a close three years after debut. Fans described the news as sudden, especially for a group that was once promoted as “global rookies.”
In its official statement, IST Entertainment said the decision was made “after a long period of sincere discussions with the members.” The agency explained that it carefully reviewed each ATBO member’s “present and future, their desired direction of activities, dreams and goals, and potential for growth.”
In the end, the company concluded that they “prioritized the wishes of the artists” and decided that “respecting and supporting each member’s individual path forward would be the best choice.”
All members took part in the discussions, including Jung Seung Hwan, who is currently serving in the military. The statement ended on a supportive note, with the agency saying they wish “their new beginnings will be full of hope and shine even brighter.”
ATBO debuted in July 2022 as a seven-member group formed through the MBN audition show The Origin – A, B, Or What?. While they looked promising, their journey was quite turbulent. Between 2023 and 2024, the group appeared on multiple competition programs, including Peak Time and Road to Kingdom: Ace of Ace, in an effort to gain more recognition.
In May 2024, member Seok Rakwon left the group due to health issues, reducing ATBO to six members. After releasing their single album MUST HAVE in late 2023, the group entered a long period of inactivity.
There were no new music releases throughout 2025, and promotional channels remained quiet. This silence happened during a time of corporate change, including the sale of IST Entertainment to Beyond Music.
Fans grew increasingly frustrated and argued that poor management and inconsistent promotion had “set up to fail” a group with clear talent. Many also compared ATBO’s situation to the treatment of other IST artists, including the girl group Weeekly, which faced a long hiatus.
ATBO’s disbandment also reflects wider issues in the K-pop industry, especially for mid-tier groups. Rising costs for music videos, styling, and promotions have made comebacks more expensive. At the same time, investor caution has increased due to market saturation and recent scandals. Industry data shows album sales dropped by 17.7 percent in 2024, falling to 98.9 million units, which analysts see as a correction after years of rapid growth.
Several groups have been affected by these pressures in 2025. Girl groups such as Weeekly, Purple Kiss, and Everglow have either disbanded or entered an indefinite hiatus for similar financial reasons.
IST Entertainment’s acquisition by Beyond Music in 2025 also played a role in the changing landscape. Beyond Music is a music IP investment fund that focuses on acquiring and managing profitable song catalogs from established artists rather than investing heavily in developing new groups. This shift in strategy likely made it harder for a growing group like ATBO to secure the long-term investment needed to compete.
With their contracts now terminated, the six members, Oh Junseok, Ryu Junmin, Bae Hyunjun, Jung Seunghwan, Kim Yeongyu, and Wonbin, are free to pursue individual paths in music, acting, or other fields. Shortly after the announcement, Ryu Junmin reached out to fans by posting a personal letter on Instagram.
Now, fans are looking forward to their future activities, whether or not they will continue as a group or go solo.
