After a yearlong hiatus, boy band Beast has returned as a five-member group with its third full studio album “Highlight” released on Monday.

This marks the group’s return to the spotlight after one of its members Jang Hyun-seung left the band in April to pursue a solo career. 

Within one day of the album’s release, its lead track “Ribbon” topped eight domestic music charts, including MelOn, Mnet, Bugs, Olleh Music, Naver Music, Soribada, Genie and Monkey3.

The rhythm and blues tune “Ribbon” is a melancholic song that depicts the emotions the band’s members felt when the group was undergoing changes, said Beast member and lyricist Yong Jun-hyung at a press conference for the album release on Monday.

Regarding Jang’s departure, the group cited “creative differences” as the primary reason.

Although it is difficult not to feel Jang’s absence, the remaining members will try their best to make the void feel less palpable to fans, said the group’s main vocalist Yang Yo-seob at the press event.

By Kim Yu-young (ivykim@heraldcorp.com)