As a collective, DONGKIZ has announced a number of significant changes that will impact the group's future operations.

In an official announcement made on March 18, DONGKIZ's management company Dongyo Entertainment confirmed that the group will be changing its name to DKZ ahead of its impending comeback in April. As previously reported by TMZ, Wondae, who is presently on leave due to an injury, may eventually be forced to leave the group for reasons related to his health.

Munik, who is also taking a break from the group at the present due to psychological concern, will not be quitting the group, but he will be absent from DKZ's imminent comeback in order to devote his time to his healing.

In addition, DKZ will be welcoming three new members to the group in preparation for their forthcoming reunion tour.

The complete text of Dongyo Entertainment's statement is as follows:

Hello.

Dongyo Entertainment is the name of the company.

First and foremost, we would want to express our heartfelt gratitude to all of the fans who have consistently supported and cared for DONGKIZ.

The future of Wondae and Munik, who are now on indefinite sabbatical, as well as DONGKIZ's intentions for group activities, will be announced shortly.

To begin, let us consider the future activities of Wondae and Munik, who are now on medical leave because of their health.

Following his injuries, Wondae spent some time to heal and engaged in extensive, serious conversations with our agency concerning his future plans, which he later published. Due to his doctor's view that he would require regular rehabilitation in the future, it has been determined that he will be leaving the group in the near future.

Munik also took time to relax in order to regain his health, and he spent a long time talking with us about his [possible] return to activities. Munik's condition had been checked out ahead of this upcoming return, and we had cautiously suggested that he return to his previous activities, something that he himself had also carefully considered for a long time. Although he believes that he has not yet fully healed enough to continue his activities, we will accept his judgment, and as a result, it has been determined that he will not be participating in any of the group's forthcoming promotions.

Despite the fact that both members' participation in DONGKIZ group activities is crucial, the health and opinions of each member must come first. As a result, following talks with all of the members, we have agreed to respect the viewpoints of the two members in this situation.

2. In regards to the future operations of the DONGKIZ group,

First and foremost, the group's name has been changed to:

Commensurate with their approaching return in April 2022 and as depicted in the official logo that was just unveiled, DONGKIZ will be greeting you under the new official group name DKZ beginning with this upcoming comeback.

Second, there has been an influx of new members:

Three new members have been recruited by DKZ and will be promoted alongside Kyoungyoon, Jae-chan, and Jonghyeong in the near future.

It is preferable if you conceive of DONGKIZ and DKZ as one group rather than two different entities. This will allow you to connect the members' and fans' recollections of the past with their aspirations for the future. Please shower them with affection and encouragement.

Following the abrupt news of Wondae and Munik's hiatus last year, we are aware that fans have been concerned for a long time while anxiously anticipating another announcement. Additionally, while we were aware that many people wanted the group to resume activities with all five members, it was not a matter that could be decided immediately, in a single moment or a simple decision that we could make in a hurry, which is why it took us so long to make an announcement about the group's future. Fans may have been irritated since they didn't know what was going on for a lengthy period of time, and we truly regret this inconvenience.

Dongyo Entertainment wishes both Wondae and Munik a swift recovery, and we hope that the fans will show their support and encouragement to the members as they prepare to re-enter the spotlight as DKZ for the second time.

Thank you very much.

Meanwhile, following Jaechan's prominent role in the blockbuster BL drama "Semantic Error," numerous of DONGKIZ's previous songs have been slowly but steadily ascending the Korean music charts.

All the best to Wondae and the other DKZ members in their future efforts!