With the release of their latest EP Time, things are looking good for K-Pop boy band BEAST, but the group members recently revealed their concerns for the uncertain future of their rivals and friends MBLAQ. 

The six-member group sat down for an interview with My Daily on the eve of the release of their seventh mini-album Time and expressed their well-wishes for their comrades MBLAQ.

Recently it was revealed that the contracts for two of the MBLAQ members, Lee Joon and Thunder, will soon expire, putting the future of the group in jeopardy.

"We've always been compared to them since our debut," the BEAST members said of the rival group. "But we're grateful to the group. We have always been compared [to one another] since early into our debut, so we've received a lot of help from them." 

"It's upsetting to hear the news and we hope everything will be resolved."

MBLAQ is currently preparing for their Curtain Call concert in November, and clear plan for the furute is not expected until after then as news of the possible departure of the two members was revealed earlier than expected.  The group's agency, J.Tune Camp, revealed that no plan for disbandment have been decided and that the future of the group is still up in the air as the two singers continue negotiations with the company.

News reports have suggested that Lee Joon may want to pursue his acting interests while Thunder is looking to get more involved in producing and solo projects.

Five years ago, the group debuted around the same time as BEAST, and over the years, the two boy bands have experienced a playful rivalry as they have formed freindships with one another.

"We were surprised [to hear the news]," the BEAST members explained in their My Daily interview. "But this isn't a situation we have the right to speak about."

"We are close with the MBLAQ members, but because it's a sensitive issue, we can't ask to speak more on it."

As the future of MBLAQ remains unknown, BEAST is experiencing early success with the release of Time. The lead single, "12:30," has already soared to the top of all the major real time music charts, securing a release day all-kill for the group.