We were wrong about Kep1er and we couldn't be happier about it! We didn't believe it, but the members of the girl group and WAKEONE have actually reached an agreement and extended their contract. “Kep1going On” will not be Kep1er's last album after all!
When we introduced Kep1er's new album to you in mid-May, we talked about how WAKEONE was still in negotiations with the members. So it wasn't 100 percent certain that Kep1er would disband after the album.
As you probably remember, though, we doubted that the negotiations would end successfully, because no other project group has managed to do that so far. Find out more about it here!
We were proven wrong:
Yesterday, WAKEONE announced in a statement that Kep1er will stay together!
We don't know exactly how long the new contract will run yet, but it is now certain that the girl group will stay with us for a while longer. So Kep1going On will probably not be the last album after all.
There is some bad news, though:
Mashiro and Yeseo will leave Kep1er.
The two are returning to their agency - 143 Entertainment - and are rumored to be debuting in LIMELIGHT. LIMELIGHT is a three-member girl group that debuted on February 17, 2023. So far, the group has released 4 albums: the pre-debut album “Limelight” in 2022, the debut album “Love & Happiness”, the single album “Madeleine” and, in January, the mini album “Last Dance”.
We assume that Mashiro and Yeseo will start preparing for their debut in LIMELIGHT right after Kep1er's activities end. So hopefully we won't have to go without the two of them for too long.
In the future, Kep1er will therefore consist of only 7 members: Yujin, Xiaoting, Chaehyun, Dayeon, Hikaru, Huening Bahiyyih and Youngeun.
Nevertheless, we are very happy about the news and can't wait to see more of Kep1er!
It's only a few more days until the new album “Kep1going On” is released. In the past few days, Kep1er has already put out a highlight medley and two music video teasers:
You can read WAKEONE's full statement here. We translated it for you:
Hello, this is WAKEONE SWING Entertainment.
We are pleased to announce that the company and the members of the Mnet project group “Kep1er” - YUJIN, XIAOTING, CHAEHYUN, DAYEON, HIKARU, HUENING BAHIYYIH and YOUNGEUN - have agreed to renew the contract to extend the group's promotions.
Kep1er will thus continue their promotions as a 7-member group after the project period has ended.
As a result of extensive discussions and a consensus, MASHIRO and YESEO will end their activities as Kep1er, and we promise to always support their future endeavors.
WAKEONE and SWING Entertainment will also proactively support each member's musical development, the remaining overseas promotions including the concert in Japan in July, and the local promotions for the first and last studio album as a 9-member group. We sincerely ask for your continued love and support.
Thank you.
Sources: WAKEONE Official Website, 143 Entertainment Official Website
