Four members of Apink have changed agencies after 12 years!

by Helen BoschApr 28, 2023

Four members of Apink have left IST Entertainment, so a new era is beginning for the girl group. But don't worry, SELF was definitely not Apink's last album, because although they are no longer all signed to the same agency, Eunji, Chorong, Bomi, Namjoo, and Hayoung will continue to release music together in the future!

Apink debuted on April 19, 2011 under IST Entertainment, where they have produced many great hits over the past 12 years such as "NoNoNo," "Mr. Chu", and "I'm So Sick". Most recently, the tenth mini album SELF including the title track D N D was released on April 5, 2023.

Apink started as a seven-piece, but two members have left the group. Hong Yookyung back in 2013 and Son Naeun more recently in 2022. IST Entertainment itself has also seen a lot of changes. When Apink debuted, the label was still called "A Cube Entertainment" and belonged to Cube Entertainment. In 2015, A Cube Entertainment was bought out by LOEN Entertainment and renamed Plan A Entertainment to symbolize that it was no longer part of Cube. In 2019, Plan A merged with Fave Entertainment and from then on was called Play M Entertainment. The next and so far last change took place in 2021. Play M merged with Cre.ker Entertainment and is now called IST Entertainment.

Eunji is the only one to remain with IST Entertainment:

Today IST Entertainment announced that the exclusive contracts of Apink members have expired: Chorong, Bomi, Namjoo, and Hayoung have decided not to renew them and seek a new agency after 12 years. Eunji was the only one to sign a new contract with IST and will continue to be at home there.

IST states in the statement that the members are all determined to continue to be active as Apink and will not disband. So the entertainment will continue to work with Chorong and the others for group activities.

Chorong, Bomi, Namjoo, and Hayoung have already found new homes!

As of today, all four are part of Choi Creative Lab. The label also released a statement assuring that they will support the members in all activities, whether solo or as a group. Choi Creative Lab is planning to cooperate with IST Entertainment.