In the last couple of months, one of the trending news topics has been K-Pop idols leaving their debut agencies. Either due to the expiration of their contracts or arising conflicts between them and said agencies, many idols and groups have opted to leave their agencies, signing with others or even starting their own labels. But leaving their agencies doesn't always mean they will stop promoting as a group. A great news for global fans who will not just be stunned by this kind of news but also worry about the impact it will make on their favorite group's future.

Here are some of the idols and groups, who have left their debut agency but still promoting as a group.

P.S. We will keep updating this article with more information as we go.

 

1. GOT7

GOT7 members stunned the world but announcing their departure from JYP Entertainment in 2021. Today, the members are all signed to different agencies and engaging in successful solo activities but they are still actively promoting as GOT7 who signed under Warner Music Korea.

 

2. MONSTA X's I.M

On August 2o22, MONSTA X's I.M decided not to renew his contract with Starship Entertainment after its expiration. He is now signed to Sony Music Korea and asides from his solo works, he takes an active part in MONSTA X's schedules and promotions.

 

3. SUPER JUNIOR's DongHae, KyuHyun, and EunHyuk

In July 2023, it was revealed that although SUPER JUNIOR has renewed their exclusive contract with SM Entertainment, for their solo activities, members DongHae, KyuHyun, and EunHyuk have opted not to renew their contracts with the agency. It is reported that members DongHae and EunHyuk will be opening a joint agency together.

 

4. VICTON's ByungChan, HanSe, and SuBin

Earlier this year, IST Entertainment revealed that VICTON's ByungChan, HanSe, and SuBin have opted not to renew their contract and have left the agency. However, as of now, no news has been revealed as to weather they have also left the group, VICTON.

 

5. BIGBANG's TaeYang and DaeSung

K-Pop Idols And Groups Who Left Their Agencies But Are Still Promoting As A Group

TaeYang's official Instagram / R&D Company

The two famous stars left YG Entertainment in December 2022. They are now both signed to the new label THE BLACK LABEL. P.S. T.O.P  confirmed through an Instagram comment that he was no longer part of BIGBANG. ALthough as of the date of this article, YG Entertainment hasn't confirmed the news.

 

6. MAMAMOO's HwaSa

K-Pop Idols And Groups Who Left Their Agencies But Are Still Promoting As A Group

HwaSa's official Instagram

RBW Entertainment revealed that the famous singer is no longer signed to them following the expiration of her contract. She is now signed to Psy's P NATION.

 

7. GIrls' Generation's Tiffany Young, SooYoung, and SeoHyun

K-Pop Idols And Groups Who Left Their Agencies But Are Still Promoting As A Group

Tiffany Young's official Instagram / SeoHyun's official Instagram / Marie Claire

In 2017, the three famous idols stunned global fans when they announced that they were leaving the famous agency. However, asides from their solo activities, they are still promoting as a group.

 

8. UP10TION's Kuhn, KoGyeol, Bit-to, SunYoul, and GyuJin

K-Pop Idols And Groups Who Left Their Agencies But Are Still Promoting As A Group

UP10TION's official Instagram

Earlier this year, TOP Media revealed that following a mutual agreement, the idols will not be renewing their exclusive contract with the agency but will continue promoting as UP10TION in the future.

 

9. OMEGA X

K-Pop Idols And Groups Who Left Their Agencies But Are Still Promoting As A Group

OMEGA X's official Instagram

After a long court battle, the OMEGA X members were given the ruling to end their exclusive contract with their former agency, drawing speculations as to whether they would still be promoting as a group. It's great news as amidst their solo works, they are still treating fans to great songs and content as a group.

 

10. TEEN TOP's Niel and ChangJo

K-Pop Idols And Groups Who Left Their Agencies But Are Still Promoting As A Group

Niel's official Instagram

In 2021, TOP Media announced the departure of TEEN TOP members Niel and ChangJo from the agency following the expiration of their contracts. On the 10th of August, it was revealed that Niel had signed with a new agency called NEW ENTRY and earlier this year, it was revealed that ChangJo had signed with BEAT INTERACTIVE.

 

11. INFINITE

K-Pop Idols And Groups Who Left Their Agencies But Are Still Promoting As A Group

INFINTE's official Instagram

Between 2009 and 2022, all the INFINITE members left their debut agency, Woollim Entertainment. Today, they are all signed with different agencies for their solo activities. INFINITE are however till infinity as the legendary group is preparing to make a comeback with their 7th mini album titled "13egin" which will be released on the 31st of July 2023.

 

12. Highlight

K-Pop Idols And Groups Who Left Their Agencies But Are Still Promoting As A Group

Highlight's official Instagram

In December 2016, HIGHLIGHT (then known as BEAST), announced their departure from CUBE Entertainment after forming their own entertainment agency named AROUND US Entertainment. Due to trademark issues, in 2017, they announced their new name Highlight and made their official debut with the release of their first mini album "Can You Feel It" that same year.

 

13. iKON

K-Pop Idols And Groups Who Left Their Agencies But Are Still Promoting As A Group

iKON's Twitter

In December 2022, YG Entertainment announced that after much discussion, both parties have agreed to end their exclusive contract. Today, iKON is signed to 143 Entertainment.

Did we miss anyone? Let us know in the comments section.