Krystal from f(x) signs with new agency Beasts and Natives Alike

Actor and singer Krystal of girl group f(x) [CKryHARLES&KEITH]

Actor and singer Krystal from girl group f(x) recently signed with a new agency, Beasts and Natives Alike (BANA), also home to rapper Beenzino and 250.

250 is the producer behind girl group NewJeans’ 2023 hit songs “Attention” and “Hype Boy.”

Krystal announced the news on Thursday along with a cover of the 1990 song “I’m Coming Back” by U.S. singer Lalah Hathaway on her SoundCloud account.

BANA was set up by Kim Ki-hyun, a former designer and music video unit head at SM Entertainment. Also under the BANA label is rapper Kim Ximya, animator Eric Oh and singer Cho Woong.

Krystal debuted as a member of girl group f(x) in 2009 under SM Entertainment. The group is known for its electropop and experimental style, with hit songs including “Hot Summer” (2011), “Electric Shock" (2012), “Rum Pum Pum Pum” (2013) and “Red Light” (2014).

Krystal left SM Entertainment in 2020 and signed with H& Entertainment, citing her wish to focus on her acting career.

She began her acting career in 2010 with a minor role in MBC’s sitcom “More Charming by the Day,” and has since starred in numerous movies and TV series including SBS teen drama series “The Heirs” (2013), tvN drama series “Prison Playbook” (2017-18) and most recently the film “Cobweb” (2023).

BY KIM JU-YEON [kim.juyeon2@joongang.co.kr]