KAT-KUN to disband
KAT-TUN, one of Japan’s longest-running idol groups, will officially split on March 31, 2025, according to STARTO ENTERTAINMENT. Members Kazuya Kamenashi and Yuichi Nakamaru will both depart from the agency as the group disbands, however Tatsuya Ueda and Yuichi Nakamaru will each pursue solo careers.
From its humble beginnings as a six-member group in 2001, KAT-TUN rose to prominence as a major player in Japan’s music scene. Their reputation for edgy flair and energetic performances, together with their multiple top-charting hits, cemented the group’s place in J-pop history. Even though they lost members over the years, KAT-TUN kept active and even made their debut in 2021 on NHK’s Kouhaku Uta Gassen.
A year of deliberation with the members preceded the decision, according to STARTO ENTERTAINMENT’s statement. The wisest option for the members’ futures, according to the company, was to breakup KAT-TUN and go their separate ways. The agency would also want to thank all of the people who have helped keep KAT-TUN going for the last quarter of a century: fans and professionals in the field.
Ueda and Nakamaru will keep working in the entertainment sector when the band disbands, and fans are eager to see what Kamenashi does next. An important part of J-pop history will forever be KAT-TUN’s legacy, which is characterized by originality and persistence.