TWICE members Jeongyeon and Chaeyoung are parting ways with JYP Entertainment after more than a decade with the agency.
The K-pop stars have confirmed their departures in handwritten letters shared on their respective Instagram accounts.
In Jeongyeon’s statement, she described JYP Entertainment as her “second home” since her teenage years, recalling the many years she spent with the company and the memories she made along the way.
“I am now preparing to start a new chapter in a new place,” she said, adding that leaving the agency initially felt “daunting”. However, she found the courage to move forward with the support of her fellow TWICE members and their fans, ONCE.
Jeongyeon expressed her gratitude to her members, fans, and the JYP family for helping her grow throughout her career.
“I am deeply grateful to my members and ONCE; words cannot fully express my gratitude. I am also very grateful to the JYP family who helped me grow into the person I am today.”
The singer also reassured ONCE that her departure from JYP Entertainment will not affect her commitment to TWICE.
“The one thing I truly want to tell ONCE is that even though I am moving on to a new chapter to take on new challenges, TWICE, the center of my life, will remain unchanged, just as it is now,” Jeongyeon wrote. “Standing before ONCE as a member of TWICE will always be my very first priority.”
“Since we still have so much time ahead of us to create new memories, I will work hard to fill those moments even more beautifully with ONCE,” she added.
Following the announcement, Soompi reported that Jeongyeon has signed with a new agency that is also home to her older sister, actress Gong Seung Yeon, as well as K-drama stars Byeon Woo Seok, Jin Goo, Lee Chae-min, and Park Jungwoo.
A few days later, Chaeyoung also announced her exit from JYP Entertainment after 14 years with the agency.
“I’m so excited to step into a new chapter and bring my new LIL FANTASY, a world where I can explore and build my music,” she wrote in a handwritten letter, referring to the title of her debut solo album which was released last year.
Chaeyoung expressed her gratitude to JYP Entertainment and Team TWICE for supporting her throughout her more than a decade-long journey with the company.
“I want to deeply thank everyone at JYP and Team TWICE for believing in and supporting me over the past 14 years. And to my TWICE members, who are always my strength and biggest supporters thank you, and I love you beyond words,” she added.
Like Jeongyeon, Chaeyoung reassured fans that her being a member of TWICE will remain unchanged despite leaving the agency, “Most of all, please know that nothing changes with TWICE. Everything I’ve received is thanks to my time as TWICE, which will always be my roots.”
“This is a new challenge for me, and I promise to keep growing into an even better person and artist. Thank you for always believing in me,” her message concluded.
Jeongyeon and Chaeyoung’s departure comes months after reports surfaced regarding TWICE members’ contract renewals with JYP Entertainment, sparking speculation over which members would remain with the agency.
Jihyo and Tzuyu had previously been reported to be considering their contract renewals. However, neither the members nor JYP Entertainment confirmed the reports, with the agency stating only that discussions regarding the members’ contracts were ongoing.
