A Guide to 
Lee Chanhyuk and Lee Suhyun, were born in South Korea,
their father's missionary work caused the family to move to Mongolia
for almost five years before returning to South Korea to pursue a career
in the music industry. Due to their parent's financial difficulties,
they parents suggested the siblings be home-schooled.
2013:
The siblings auditioned for the second season of the
reality show K-Pop Star finishing in first place and signing a
contract with YG Entertainment.
2014:
On March 31, YG Entertainment announced that the group would debut
on April 7 with their first album Play containing 11 tracks produced
by Chanhyuk and three title tracks: "Melted" chosen by the duo,
"200%" chosen by YG Entertainment, and the third title track,
"Give Love", was chosen after a round of fan voting.
2017:
On September 13, YG Entertainment confirmed Lee Chanhyuk would enlist
for his mandatory military enlistment with the Korean Marines,
thus halting all activities of the duo.
2019:
On May 29, Chanhyuk successfully fulfilled his mandatory military
service and was discharged, thus simultaneously resuming the
activities of AKMU.On September 5, YG Entertainment released a poster announcing the duo
comeback in two years and two months, since Summer Episode in July 2017.
On September 9, a teaser was revealed informing that the album would be
released on September 25, with the title track "How Can I Love the Heartbreak,
You're the One I Love".
2020:
On October 16, Suhyun made her solo debut with her first
digital single "Alien".
2021:
On January 26, it was announced that the duo had renewed their
contract with YG Entertainment for another 5 years.
2025:
On November 21, it was reported that AKMU would leave YG Entertainment after
12 years with the agency. The duo's contract were set to expire in December.
YG Entertainment confirmed AKMU's departure and announced that the duo would be going independent.
2026: Cemter of Inspiration establishment
On January 20, it was announced that AKMU's contract would be
transfered on the 27th to their own newly-created agency,
Cemter of Inspiration. The name fuses the Korean word “샘터”
(saemteo, meaning wellspring or fountain) with the English word “center,”
written as “Cemter” to carry both meanings simultaneously.
It shares its name with Chanhyuk's solo visual art exhibitions held in 2023 and 2025.
AKMU announced the label with the words: “a new shelter for AKMU.”
Multiple outlets translate the name as Fountain of Inspiration, but AKMU's
own English branding uses Cemter of Inspiration. It stands as a rare case in Korean pop:
an act of AKMU's commercial standing going entirely independent with their own imprint,
with Lee Chanhyuk and Lee Suhyun operating as both artists and label owners.
The label's first visible act as an independent entity was dropping a new duo profile photo
in February 2026, signaling the start of a new era. AKMU has hinted at a 4th studio album—their
first since Sailing in 2019—as the debut release under Cemter of Inspiration.
Chanhyuk, who released the acclaimed solo album Eros in July 2025 under
the pseudonym “Leechanhyukvideo,” brings expanded creative range.
Suhyun, whose fanbase has grown significantly through her solo work and collaborations,
contributes to the label's artist-forward identity. Distribution arrangements have not been publicly confirmed.
Information taken from kpop.fandom.com/wiki/AKMU &
https://hitkultr.com/brands/cemter-of-inspiration