BabyMonster welcomed back Ahyeon after the K-pop artist failed to debut with the other members due to health reasons.
On November 27, 2023, the six members of BabyMonster- Ruka, Pharita, Asa, Rami, Rora and Chiquita - debuted with the single "Batter Up." Ahyeon, however, missed the debut lineup and had to focus on her recovery.
Ahyeon Is Back to BabyMonster Lineup
On Thursday, January 25, YG Entertainment surprised BabyMonster 's fans by revealing Ahyeon's return to the groups.
The company's founder, Yang Hyun Suk, said the K-pop star would rejoin the group after having improvements in her health. With that, she will be part of the group's highly anticipated comeback in spring, featuring its first mini-album.
"Once again, I find myself greeting you unexpectedly. Fortunately, Ahyeon has fully recovered her health, and as of today, Ahyeon is back at YG," he said. "She's currently recording songs for the album."
Before the scheduled April comeback, BabyMonster will reportedly drop "Stuck In the Middle" on February 1. The first full-length album is expected to arrive in autumn.
For BabyMonster 's initial releases without Ahyeon, Yang Hyun Suk confirmed the track's re-recording to feature all seven members of the K-pop girl group.
"From the mini-album onwards, you can look forward to BabyMonster 's activities as a perfect seven-member group," the president went on.
YG Entertainment has also prepared long-term plans, including the addition of YG's in-house producers. From previously 10 producers, the company reportedly grew the number to 40 to 50, promising to have quicker processes than before.
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Why Did Ahyeon Miss BabyMonster's Debut?
Ahyeon's return came months after YG Entertainment confirmed the debut of the six members to allow her to recuperate amid her health battles.
"Although we are saddened to be unable to introduce Ahyeon as a member of BabyMonster, we made this decision for the sake of the artist's health. We will spare no support so that Ahyeon can recover fully and return in good health," YG Entertainment announced at that time.
The label also dismissed the rumors about Ahyeon permanently leaving the group, clarifying that she would only miss the debut but return until her recovery.
BabyMonster became YG Entertainment's first girl group in seven years since BLACKPINK's debut. The new girl group's debut was originally scheduled for September 2023, but the company decided to push it back by two months while trying to select the title track carefully.
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