TREASURE is YG Entertainment's new K-pop boy group that was formed through the survival show "YG Treasure Box." The program featured 29 male trainees from YG, but only 12 trainees were able to debut in the rookie group. Where could the other 17 contestants be at the moment?
About YG Treasure Box
YG Treasure Box is one of the survival shows that YG Entertainment produced to form an idol group. The program, which was broadcast via JTBC2, premiered on Nov. 16, 2018, and concluded in January 2019.
A total of 29 YG trainees participated in the survival show to get a spot in the final lineup of debuting trainees. In the end, YG Entertainment chose to debut a group consisting of seven members, namely Haruto, Yedam, Junghwan, Jeongwoo, Junkyu, Hyunsuk, and Jaehyun - they form the band TREASURE.
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Due to the strong demands of fans to debut the eliminated "YG Treasure Box" contestants, YG Entertainment decided to debut a second group comprising six members, namely Doyoung, Jihoon, Mashiho, Ha Yoonbin, Yoshinori, and Asahi. This band will be called MAGNUM, and the two groups will be generally called TREASURE13.
However, Ha Yoonbin left YG Entertainment in December 2019 and so MAGNUM will not debut as a group, and the five remaining members will join the first group. The 12 remaining "YG Treasure" contestants then debuted as TREASURE in August 2020.
Where are the Eliminated YG Treasure Box Contestants Now?
Yoonbin
Reports say that Ha Yoonbin canceled his contract with YG Entertainment because of differences in musical direction.
In January 2020, "YG Treasure Box" Yoonbin released his first solo track "Wounds" under the stage name "Ben." He also created a SoundCloud account where he uploads his songs.
Byounggon
After being eliminated from the survival show in the finale episode, Byounggon departed from YG Entertainment and moved to C9 Entertainment.
In July 2019, Byounggon debuted as a member of CIX under the stage name "BX." He is the leader and main rapper in the group.
Seunghun
Seunghun is one of the "Silver Boys" members who appeared on an episode of the survival show "Stray Kids." During the singing battle between Stray Kids and Silver Boys, he received compliments from J.Y. Park.
Along with Byounggon, "YG Treasure Box" contestant Seunghun signed with C9 Entertainment and made his debut as a member of CIX, as well. He is given the position of the group's main vocalist.
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Kotaro
Kotaro is one of the Japanese YG trainees. He was eliminated during the 2:2 battles in Episode 8 of YG Treasure Box after covering "Monster" by Rihanna and Eminem alongside Jeongseob.
After the survival show, Kotaro left YG Entertainment and returned to his home country, Japan. He is currently a member of the co-ed indie pop group called "Diavo." The band debuted in June 2020 with the EP "Higher."
Jyunhao
Jyunhao is the only Taiwanese YG trainee who competed in the "YG Treasure Box." Despite being complimented for his charisma, Jyunhao was eliminated in episode 7 during a 1:1 battle against Bang Yedam.
In 2019, Jyunhao represented YG Entertainment on "Produce X 101" under the name Wang Gunho, but he failed to debut in the project boy group X1. He then parted ways with YG Entertainment and became a trainee under OUI Entertainment for a short period.
At present, Jyunhao is a member of the J-pop boy group BUGVEL, under the stage name "Guno."
Mahiro
Along with Jyunhao, "YG Treasure Box" contestant Mahiro competed in "Produce X 101" as a representative of YG Entertainment. He also departed from the company and was signed under OUI Entertainment for a while.
Additionally, he is a fellow member of Jyunhao in the J-pop boy group BUGVEL.
Seokhwa
Before becoming a YG trainee, Seokhwa trained in JYP Entertainment alongside the current Stray Kids members.
He was eliminated from "YG Treasure Box" in episode 9. After that, Seokhwa left YGE and participated in "Produce X 101." He later joined OUI Entertainment. He is currently the main vocalist of OUI's new boy group WEi.
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Keita
Keita has the longest training period among Japanese trainees who competed in "YG Treasure Box." He was removed from the show in episode 9 and left YG Entertainment.
Keita later signed with Rain Company and successfully debuted as a member of the label's new K-pop boy group Ciipher.
Dohwan
Dohwan is another eliminated "YG Treasure Box" contestant who left YGE and joined Rain Company. He is a current member of the boy group Ciipher, as well.
Jongseob
Jongseob decided to leave YG Entertainment and move into FNC Entertainment after he was removed from the survival show. He then made his debut in October 2020 as a member of P1Harmony.
Yunseo
Yunseo's journey in "YG Treasure Box" lasted only until episode 9. Shortly after deleting his Instagram account, his photo was spotted at CUBE Entertainment's building, sparking rumors that he might be debut as a member of CUBE's new boy group.
Siyun
In "YG Treasure Box" Episode 8, Siyun was eliminated after performing iKON's "My Type" alongside Jaehyuk. He is now a trainee under WM Entertainment after leaving YGE. He is said to be debuting in a boy group with "Produce X 101" contestant Kim Hyunbin.
Sungyeon
Sungyeon also just made it until episode 8 of YG Entertainment's survival show. Like Seokhwa, he participated in "Produce X 101" as an independent trainee after departing from the agency.
It is rumored that Sungyeon is preparing to make his debut as an actor.
Junhyuk
Junhyuk is an eliminated "YG Treasure Box" contestant show is known for his rapping skills and charisma.
Like the majority of the YG trainees who competed in the survival show, Junhyuk is not under YG Entertainment anymore. He is currently in his home country, Canada, focusing on his studies and producing music for his SoundCloud account.
Inhong
Unlike the other eliminated "YG Treasure Box" contestants, Inhong remained a YG trainee even though he was eliminated from the show in episode 8. He is known as one of the label's "face genius" trainees.
Yeongue
Yeongue is another trainee who stayed in YG Entertainment even after his elimination from "YG Treasure Box" during the ninth episode. Because of this, many fans expect him to debut in YGE's future boy group alongside Inhong.
Midam
Lee Midam appeared on "YG Treasure Box" until episode 2 since he left YG Entertainment due to personal reasons. It was said that he left because he felt too much pressure about being a trainee.
Midam then signed with AAP.Y Entertainment and became the agency's representative in "Produce X 101." He remains a trainee under the company.
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Written by Mhaliya Scott
