TWICE’s contract renewal phase is now a top story in K-pop. Nothing has been officially announced, but fans and news reports are focused on four of the members.
Tzuyu
On July 14, News1 reports that Tzuyu has decided not to renew her 11-year contract with JYP Entertainment. The agency says they are still in discussions with the members, but nothing is official yet. Even if she doesn’t sign a new contract, reports say Tzuyu will likely keep working with TWICE. She would participate in group activities as an outside artist, which is something other idols have also done.
Jihyo
Jihyo is the latest member rumored to be leaving JYP Entertainment. According to Joy News24, she is planning to start her own one-person company to manage her solo career. The report says Jihyo has been meeting with industry officials as she considers her next career step. While her plans for a new agency aren’t official yet, she reportedly wants to manage her solo career separately from her group work.
JYP Entertainment released their statement to Korean media outlets in response to exclusive reports about Jihyo leaving the company. “TWICE is currently in the contract renewal discussion period, and we are continuing careful discussions. We will provide an update once the matter has been finalized.”
Chaeyoung
Reports say Chaeyoung has also met with other entertainment companies. Chaeyoung isn’t rumored to be leaving the group; instead, the talk is about her solo work. Reports say she wants more creative freedom for her art, fashion, and songwriting.
When They First Joined JYP Entertainment
Jihyo joined JYP Entertainment on July 15, 2005, when she was 8 years old. She won second place in a Junior Naver contest. She then spent a full ten years as a trainee before making her debut.
After taking dance lessons for over a year, Chaeyoung successfully passed her JYP auditions and officially signed her trainee contract at the age of 13 on June 6, 2012.
Tzuyu was scouted in 2012 at the MUSE Performing Arts Workshop in Tainan, Taiwan. She moved to South Korea and officially started her training on November 15.
Fans Reaction on Social Media
Fans are expressing a mix of emotions right now. They support the members’ individual goals, but they’re also worried about the group’s future. Even though fans really hope the nine members will stay close, they mostly just want them to be happy and free to make their own choices.
As long as TWICE stays together, I’m happy. The girls can do whatever they want too
they can be like Super Junior or SNSD, pursue personal journey and comeback together from time to time. hope they can get some rest, and comeback stronger
As long as TWICE is still a group, I’m 100% here for whatever the members want to do on their own, too!
That’s okay, totally fine, as long as they can show more their own colors in music. Chaeyoung’s LIL’ FANTASY VOL 2 is still under construction, and I’ll be waiting for everything she made with her magical pen.
All the best for the future, PRINCESSES!