Four members of Apink have left IST Entertainment, so a new era begins for the girl group. But don't worry, SELF was definitely not Apink's last album, because even though they are no longer all under contract with the same agency, Eunji, Chorong, Bomi, Namjoo and Hayoung will keep releasing music together in the future!
Apink debuted on April 19, 2011 under IST Entertainment and has produced many great hits there 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 out as seven members, but two members have left the group. Hong Yookyung already in 2013 and Son Naeun only recently in 2022. A lot has also changed at IST Entertainment itself. When Apink debuted, the label was still called “A Cube Entertainment” and belonged to Cube Entertainment. In 2015, A Cube Entertainment was acquired by LOEN Entertainment and renamed Plan A Entertainment to signify that it no longer belongs to 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 staying with IST Entertainment:
Today IST Entertainment announced that the exclusive contracts of the Apink members have expired: Chorong, Bomi, Namjoo and Hayoung decided not to renew them and to look for a new agency after 12 years. Eunji is the only one who signed a new contract with IST and will continue to call it home.
In the statement, IST explains that all the members are determined to keep being active as Apink and will not disband. So the company will continue to work with Chorong and the others for group activities.
Chorong, Bomi, Namjoo and Hayoung have already found a new home!
As of today, all four belong to Choi Creative Lab. The label has also released a statement and assures that it will support the members in all activities, whether solo or as a group. Choi Creative Lab plans to cooperate with IST Entertainment.
So we can look forward to many more years with the talented girl group!
Sources: Naver, Apink Twitter
