The future of fourth-generation K-pop girl group TRI.BE is now uncertain after its management agency, TR Entertainment, declared bankruptcy on March 13.
The Seoul Bankruptcy Court's Rehabilitation Division 16 issued a summary bankruptcy ruling, which is granted when a debtor's assets are valued at less than 500 million KRW (approximately 344,950 USD). The company was established in June 2020 and was overseen mainly by its founder and renowned K-pop producer, Shinsadong Tiger, in February 2024.
TR Entertainment collaborated with Universal Music Group to debut TRI.BE in February 2021 as a seven-member group. The group released mini-albums VENI VEDI VICI and W.A.Y.as well as, single albums TRI.BE Da Loca, CONMIGO, and DIAMOND over three years. However, their activities stopped after Tiger passed away in February 2024, just days after Diamond was released.
It is important to note that the company had already been suffering financial issues even before Tiger's death. In 2017, TR Entertainment filed for corporate rehabilitation due to debts totaling approximately 1.7 billion KRW. The court approved a restructuring plan requiring him to repay 70% of the debt over ten years.
The bankruptcy now raises concerns about TRI's future.BE and other artists, including EXID's Elly and singer Yoo Sung Eun, are under the agency. Fans have expressed hope that the group will be picked up by another company, allowing them to continue their careers.
"I hope TRI.BE can go to [another] company with their name or even with [a] new name. They have such a potential," one online user wrote.
"This does make me sad because this group deserves so much love and so much praise for a lot of their discography, them as a group, and the members individually themselves. I hope that someone is able to pick them up and they can continue with their group," another comment read.
As of Wednesday, no official announcement regarding the next steps for TRI.BE or the other artists has been made.
