This year, YG Entertainment introduced their latest boy group in years, WINNER. The group surpassed all expectations and debuted without compare. This is perhaps one of the most polished debuts fans have seen ever. And with YG Entertainment setting their bar high, all eyes are now set on the agency’s upcoming group iKON.
With all the speculations on iKON’s concept and image, Yang Hyun Suk dish out a little but significant detail on the group: they will be completely different from WINNER.
“WINNER and iKON are completely different from each other. While WINNER does not sing a particular genre, iKON will focus on hip hop. For now, you’ll get the idea that iKON has a more definite identity than WINNER,” Yang Hyun Suk said.
Yang Hyun Suk added, “This doesn’t worry me because WINNER and iKON will pursue different directions. Even if they promote in the same cycle, they won’t overlap each other. WINNER will take on a variety of genres, while iKON make a strong impression in hip hop.”
Yang Hyun Suk also gave his thoughts on WINNER, and their debut and Japanese concert. He explained that WINNER’s Japanese debut wasn’t for the sake of marketing, but to be able to allow the boys to show people what they’ve got. “They still have a lot to prove,” the CEO said.
The official line-up for iKON has not yet been finalized although some names have been confirmed as part of the group. The final line-up will be determined through survival program “Mix & Match”. On this, Yang Hyun Suk commented, “I know people have high expectations from the boys. I think [the new guys] are doing fine with the original Team B members. Honestly, I still do not know their full potential, but I’m expecting to give their very best in hip hop.”