On December 17, 2025, the K-pop industry was met with the somber news that the boy group ATBO has officially disbanded.
Their agency, IST Entertainment, released a comprehensive statement confirming that the management contracts for the members have been terminated, bringing the group’s three-year journey to an abrupt conclusion.
The Official Announcement from IST Entertainment
The announcement came as a shock to many fans, as IST Entertainment confirmed that after deep and long-standing discussions with the members, they had mutually agreed to end group activities.
The agency expressed its gratitude to the fans who have supported ATBO since their inception, stating that the decision was made with the future paths of each individual member in mind.
ATBO (Credit: Pinterest)
While the statement did not go into granular detail regarding the specific “why” behind the timing, it emphasized a natural conclusion to their current management structure.
The agency asked fans for their continued warm interest and encouragement for the members as they embark on new beginnings outside of the group format.
A Journey from Survival Show to Debut
ATBO (which stands for “At the Beginning of Originality”) first rose to prominence through the survival reality show THE ORIGIN – A, B, Or What?. They officially debuted in July 2022 with their first mini-album The Beginning : 開花.
The group was originally introduced as a seven-member lineup. However, their path was not without challenges.
In 2024, the group transitioned to a six-member lineup following the departure of member Seok Rakwon due to health-related reasons.
Despite these changes, the remaining members—Oh Junseok, Ryu Junmin, Bae Hyunjun, Jeong Seunghwan, Kim Yeonkyu, and Won Bin—continued to promote and connect with their global fanbase, known as BOAT.
Emotional Farewells: Ryu Junmin’s Letter to Fans
Following the news, member Ryu Junmin took to his personal Instagram to share a heartfelt, handwritten letter with the fans.
In his message, he expressed profound gratitude for the memories created over the past few years. He acknowledged the sadness of the news but promised to carry the love received from BOATs into his future endeavors.
The letter served as a personal touchpoint for fans who were grieving the sudden news, reinforcing the strong bond the members shared with their community until the very end.
Legacy and Future Prospects
Though their time as ATBO has concluded, the members leave behind a discography that showcased their versatility and performance power.
From their debut title track “Monochrome (Color)” to their more recent participation in projects like Road to Kingdom: ACE OF ACE, the group proved their talent on multiple stages.
As the members prepare to pursue individual careers—whether in music, acting, or other areas of entertainment—the industry remains hopeful for their success.
For now, the K-pop community bids farewell to ATBO, a group that truly lived up to its name by bringing a sense of “originality” to the fourth generation of K-pop.
On December 17, 2025, the rising K-pop group 82MAJOR officially kicked off the “2025 Runway to Seoul” (RTS) with a high-energy opening performance at the Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) Showroom.
The event marks a significant intersection of K-fashion, entertainment, and technology, solidifying the group’s reputation as “performance-oriented idols.”
A Fusion of K-Fashion and K-Pop
“Runway to Seoul” is a global culture platform designed to transcend the traditional fashion show.
The 2025 event is a hybrid experience that integrates K-fashion, beauty, and entertainment.
- Custom Collaboration: In a unique move, the members of 82MAJOR—Nam Seong-mo, Park Seok-joon, Yoon Ye-chan, Cho Seong-il, Hwang Seong-bin, and Kim Do-gyun—took the stage wearing exclusive outfits created in collaboration with the participating fashion brands.
- Visual Evolution: The performance was noted for its “upgraded visuals,” with the group using the runway as a stage to showcase their synergy with the designers’ collections.
82MAJOR (Credit: YouTube)
82MAJOR’s Rising Momentum
The invitation to headline such a prestigious cultural event comes during a “career-high” period for the group.
- “Trophy” Success: Their 4th mini-album, Trophy, recently surpassed 100,000 copies in initial sales within just five days of its release.
- Self-Producing Talent: All members of 82MAJOR participated in the writing and composition of their latest tracks, further establishing their artistic credibility.
- Global Presence: Before this performance, the group successfully completed tours in North America, Taiwan, and Malaysia, and appeared at major international festivals like KCON LA 2025.
Upcoming Activities
82MAJOR shows no signs of slowing down as the year comes to a close:
- Japan Fan Meeting: The group is scheduled to hold their first Japanese fan meeting at Tokyo’s Nissho Hall on December 21, 2025.
- Solo Concert: They will return to the stage for their fifth solo concert, titled Exceptional: BE 범, on January 24–25, 2026, at the Blue Square SOL Travel Hall in Seoul.
Summary of “Runway to Seoul” Event Details
- Feature Details
- Date December 17, 2025
- Location DDP Showroom, Dongdaemun Design Plaza (1F)
- Focus K-Fashion, Beauty, Tech, and Entertainment
- Headliner 82MAJOR
- Collaborators Billboard Korea & DDP Showroo
