Netizens are confused and apprehensive.
Koreaboo
While K-Pop companies are debuting new groups all the time, CUBE Entertainment‘s group LIGHTSUM seemed to have been left behind after their 2021 debut.
In 2025, many even feared that the group had disbanded due to the company’s actions.
Netizens Suspect Popular 4th Gen Girl Group To Disband Following Company’s Sudden Actions
It sparked shock on August 3, when Japanese streaming site ABEMA announced a documentary on LIGHTSUM, where the K-Pop idol group would be re-debuting as a Japanese idol-style group.
📣解禁
i-dle所属のCUBEエンターテインメントから
2021年にデビューした” #LIGHTSUM ”突然告げられた
日本式アイドルとしての再始動…
再起をかけた一大プロジェクトが始まる！🗓️8/9(日)22:00~
ABEMAで無料配信開始！— ABEMA_K-POP・韓国ドラマ【公式】 (@abema_kpopdrama) August 3, 2026
LIGHTSUM are set to re-debut as a Japanese-style idol group and will appear in ABEMA’s original documentary series Re:Idol, which explores the group’s new challenges and inner struggles while following their comeback preparations.
🔗 https://t.co/7JWAdqLrRm@CUBE_LIGHTSUM pic.twitter.com/dZScNBugIa
— nugu archive 📁 (@nugupromo) August 3, 2026
When the posts were shared, netizens were shocked by the announcement.
Many wondered why the group had chosen this route rather than disbanding, finding it a desperate attempt to continue promoting. Others hit back at CUBE for making this the only option for the group when they had so much potential but like other groups who have left the company, were mistreated.
finally, a real act of nugu desperation. not since nature have we seen such lengths https://t.co/iloNjSGtXg
— surfin’ cricket ⋆.˚ 𓇼 (@secrctplaylist) August 3, 2026
was disbandment not an option https://t.co/ddN0mlwxqR
— niza (@coloredseung) August 3, 2026
the “inner struggles” being “inside Cube Ent”
— joven (@jovenistheworst) August 3, 2026
CUBE never ceases to amaze me with how they run things. God only knows how i-dle survived. But you know what, this is better than hiatus-hell. I hope LIGHTSUM succeeds in their new start as a Japanese-style idol group. Aces like Juhyeon are too talented to be dungeoned. https://t.co/2gq008bNdI
— RainySeason (@CookieNevie) August 3, 2026
is this the first group to make a lateral move from nugu to chika https://t.co/EG6ifoT27L
— 💟 (@wa5uta) August 3, 2026
no shade it was much simpler to let go and allow them to join girls planet https://t.co/QPqJZWOuYc
— diego BANG BANG💥 (@yokoyujinnie) August 3, 2026
LIGHTSUM’s treatment and promotion by CUBE had always been an issue for fans, and many hope they can finally achieve success.