L5ST Officially Disbands After Dojun’s Retirement and Final Performance
What Happened
South Korean boy group L5ST has officially ended its group activities, confirming the conclusion of a two-year run that began with the September 2024 release of “Only One.”
The group’s official X account posted a farewell notice on September 2, 2026, saying L5ST had reached the end of its journey following its final performance. The members thanked fans for supporting them throughout the group’s career and said they would now move forward in their respective directions.
The announcement was not L5ST’s first disbandment-related notice. In May, the group had already announced that activities under the L5ST name would end after its Japan schedule, while also discussing a possible reformation under a new name. That plan changed after leader Dojun announced that he would retire from entertainment activities.
Key Details
| Detail | Verified information |
|---|---|
| Group | L5ST (로스트) |
| Agency / company | Macaroni Media |
| Debut | September 5, 2024 |
| Debut single | “Only One” |
| Second release | “Free Fall,” December 12, 2024 |
| Fandom | LOV3ST |
| Final performance | July 5, 2026, according to current reporting |
| Final group notice | September 2, 2026 |
| Leader | Dojun |
| Dojun’s status | Retired from entertainment activities |
| Current group status | Group activities concluded |
Macaroni Media is identified as L5ST’s company in the group’s release records and related official Japanese materials.
Table of Contents
Official Statement
In the September 2 notice, the members said L5ST had come to the end of its journey after their final performance and thanked their fandom, LOV3ST, for its support.
The statement was signed by Dojun, Seo, Yunsang, Nabin, Donggyu, Chanwook and Beomsu.
The wording is significant because it confirms that the group was not simply entering another temporary hiatus. The members explicitly said their activities together under the L5ST name would end and described their next steps as individual new beginnings.
Official notice: L5ST’s September 2, 2026 statement on X
What We Know So Far
L5ST debuted on September 5, 2024 with the single “Only One.” Genie and Bugs both record Macaroni Media as the planning company, while the release contained “Only One” and “Amazon.”
The group followed that release with “Free Fall” on December 12, 2024.
L5ST also became one of the groups featured in Re:Born, a survival program broadcast in Japan that brought together 12 already-debuted Korean boy groups competing for a Japanese debut opportunity.
That Japanese connection was more than a television appearance. L5ST maintained an extensive live presence in Japan, with its official Japanese website carrying member profiles, concert information and announcements throughout its active period.
The group’s later history, however, was shaped by lineup and career changes.
Timeline
September 5, 2024 – L5ST debuts
L5ST officially released “Only One,” marking its debut under Macaroni Media.
December 12, 2024 – “Free Fall”
The group released its second single, “Free Fall.”
September–November 2024 – Re:Born
L5ST appeared in Re:Born, the Japan-focused survival program featuring 12 previously debuted K-pop boy groups.
April 2025 – Japanese activities continue
L5ST’s official Japanese site documented its Japan performance schedule, including the L5ST LIVE in JAPAN 3rd scenario ~W!nk~ events.
May 18, 2026 – First major disbandment announcement
L5ST announced that activities under the L5ST name would conclude after the group’s Japan schedule. At the same time, the members said they were discussing a possible reformation under a new name and concept.
Official announcement: L5ST’s May 18, 2026 notice on X
May 19, 2026 – Dojun announces retirement
One day later, leader Dojun said he would not participate in the proposed next chapter and announced his retirement from entertainment activities. He cited worsening cervical-disc problems and shoulder pain and said his condition made continued strenuous performance difficult.
July 5, 2026 – Final performance
Current September reporting identifies July 5 as L5ST’s final performance date. The date is consistent with the endpoint announced by the group in May, although some databases subsequently list July 6 as the formal disbandment date.
September 2, 2026 – Final confirmation
L5ST’s official account issued the final farewell statement, confirming that the group’s activities had ended after the final performance.
Why This Matters
L5ST’s story is notable less because of a single dramatic announcement than because the group’s ending unfolded in stages.
The May 18 announcement initially left the door open to a new beginning. Rather than presenting the conclusion of L5ST as the end of the members’ careers, the group said the members were discussing a new name and configuration.
Dojun’s retirement fundamentally changed that picture. His decision meant that a future lineup would no longer include the group’s leader, while his letter made clear that his decision was tied to a prolonged physical-health issue rather than an ordinary lineup change.
By September, however, the language had changed. The members were no longer talking about a future L5ST-adjacent group in the official farewell statement. Instead, they described individual new beginnings.
For fans trying to follow what happened, that distinction is important: the earlier reformation discussion should not be treated as a currently confirmed successor group.
Previous Context
L5ST built much of its public identity around performance and Japan-based activities after debut. Its official Japanese site documents member profiles and repeated live schedules, while Japanese concert organizers list Macaroni Media as the event’s organizer.
The group’s debut release also gives some perspective on its short recorded discography. “Only One” and “Free Fall” are currently the two clearly documented Korean releases in the major music listings consulted for this report.
That makes L5ST’s career more performance-oriented than a discography-heavy idol history. Its Japan activities and Re:Born appearance became an important part of the group’s public footprint even though its officially documented Korean discography remained small. This is an editorial interpretation based on the surviving release and activity records.
Confirmed vs. Unconfirmed
Confirmed
- L5ST debuted on September 5, 2024 with “Only One.”
- Macaroni Media was L5ST’s company.
- The group released “Free Fall” on December 12, 2024.
- L5ST announced in May 2026 that group activities would end after its Japan schedule.
- Dojun announced his retirement from entertainment activities.
- L5ST’s official September 2 notice confirmed the end of the group’s activities.
Reported
- Nabin would not continue into the group’s future activities, according to the latest September reporting.
Not Confirmed
- A successor group under a new name
- A final administrative/legal disbandment date distinct from the end of activities
- Individual future contracts or agencies for the former members
- Any future group reunion or relaunch
Latest Update
As of September 6, 2026, L5ST is no longer operating as a group.
The September 2 farewell notice is the latest verified group-level update located in this research. The members said they would pursue new beginnings in their respective places, while asking fans to continue supporting them.
Dojun’s May retirement announcement remains the clearest verified information about a former member’s post-L5ST status.
What Happens Next
The September statement does not announce another L5ST release, reunion or successor group.
Instead, the members indicate that they will move forward individually. Until separate official announcements are made, KpopBio will treat future careers, new agencies and possible group activities as unconfirmed rather than infer them from earlier reformation discussions.
Sources & References
- L5ST Official X – September 2, 2026 final group notice.
View the official L5ST post - L5ST Official X – May 18, 2026 announcement concerning the conclusion of L5ST activities and proposed future reformation.
View the official May announcement - Koreaboo – May 19, 2026, covering Dojun’s retirement and reproducing his handwritten statement.
- L5ST Japan Official Website – official member/activity archive.
- Genie Music – L5ST’s “Only one” release page.
- Bugs Music – L5ST’s “Only one” and “Free Fall” release records.
- ABEMA / ABEMA Times – Re:Born program records confirming L5ST’s participation.
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