Back in May 2021, it can be remembered that YG Entertainment announced that they were preparing to debut a new girl group, to follow after BLACKPINK, which debuted in 2016.
A year later, fans got a sneak peek at the much awaited group, BABYMONSTER, through the official teaser released by the entertainment company.
There was speculation that the group will have seven members after a fan captured seven female trainees entering the company building. YG Entertainment appeared to confirm that theory on December 30, 2022, when they released a teaser poster showing seven silhouettes, followed by a promise to release more about the group on January 1.
Earlier this year, YG Entertainment introduced the BABYMONSTER members one by one through trainee evaluations and live performances.
Members Ruka, Pharita, Rora, Asa, Chiquita, Ahyeon, and Haram were introduced as the seven members of BABYMONSTER, and fans were enamored by their charm and talents. The members trained alongside YG Entertainment seniors such as AKMU, BLACKPINK’s Jennie, Lisa, and Rosé, WINNER’s Hoony and Yoon, and famed dancer, YGX’s Lee Jung, raising the anticipation for the group.
Until today, the group has been shown working together as seven trainees occasionally joined them with blurred faces, which the K-pop community assumed were trainees who didn’t make the group’s final line-up.
Fans were taken aback when YG Entertainment dropped a new teaser on March 5 titled “Last Evaluation,” revealing that BABYMONSTER would not be making their debut as a seven-member group.
Yang Hyun Suk, the company’s founder and executive producer, starts by acknowledging the talent of the seven members.
“After years of thorough consideration, we’ve narrowed it down to seven very talented trainees,” he said.
Moments later, he dropped the shocking announcement, saying, “BABYMONSTER will never be a seven member group. It will definitely be less than seven.”
In order to know which of the seven pre-debut members will make it to the final line-up, the group will have one “last evaluation,” which will be shared with fans before the final reveal.
Fans who have been following the seven members’ journeys took to social media to express their dismay about the company’s decision.
BABYMONSTER IS NOT 7 ??? IM SO SAD : me pic.twitter.com/rwMG1Ik21Q
— BABYMONSTER PICS (@picbaemon) March 5, 2023
don't believe yg saying babymonster is not a seven member group when they literally has these highlights for every member. this ain't survival show, this is social media play. 🤓 pic.twitter.com/djIa7nCOsw
— whyn ✦ˊ˗ (@whynutsr) March 5, 2023
See this is the reason why Hybe can’t take over YG Entertainment like bro is crafty and unpredictable like wth is this.. pic.twitter.com/pr9mkND5gO
— FAÉ ⁵ (@faeeVIP) March 5, 2023
We had the same reaction bcs wtf…
Babymonster isn't 7???
Is that why some have different intros…? pic.twitter.com/hjyPZNFFFw— Minjun || ಇ || fan account (@proud_serene) March 5, 2023
https://twitter.com/BABYMONSTER_MY/status/1632633736008470529?s=20
basically that man is going to held a survival show whit 7 members, it is so sick, i knew he was cruel but not that much, my babies don't deserve that
BABYMONSTER OT7#BABYMONSTER #베이비몬스터 @YGBABYMONSTER_
— mia♭ (@luvbabymonster) March 6, 2023
The “Last Evaluation” for BABYMONSTER’s final lineup is coming soon.
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