7 K-pop idols who left their companies but not their groups: EXO Lay, more

Over the years, many K-pop idols left their original companies and groups at the same time, before or after their exclusive contracts expired. But there are also artists who decided to stay in their band despite leaving the agency.

Disclaimer: This article focuses on K-pop idols whose members still belong to their original company.

7 K-pop idols who left their companies but not their groups: EXO Lay, more

EXO Lay

EXO Lay is one of K-pop’s newest idols to depart from his original company but not from his group. On April 8 this year, the singer announced that he was leaving SM Entertainment after 10 years with the agency. It is worth noting that on the same day EXO celebrated the 10th anniversary of its debut.

READ ALSO: 7 K-pop idols who left their groups for unknown reasons

In a letter he wrote, he said he would always be layman when his members needed him, and added “EXO, let’s make love” at the end. Currently, Lay is actively promoting in China.

MAMAMOO Wheein

(Image: Instagram: @whee_inthemood)
7 K-pop idols who left their companies but not their groups: EXO Lay, more

Another recent case related to our topic involves MAMAMOO Wheein. In June 2021, RBW announced that while Hwasa, Moonbyul and Solar renewed their exclusive contract with the label, Wheein had decided not to renew hers. However, due to “an unwavering commitment to MAMAMOO”, Wheein signed an extended deal to participate in some of the group’s activities, including albums and concerts, until December 2023.

The girl group has since returned on October 11 this year with their 12th EP “Mic On”, which features the title song “Illella”.

BIGBANG TOP

(Photo: Facebook: BIGBANG)
7 K-pop idols who left their companies but not their groups: EXO Lay, more

BIGBANG TOP is another K-pop idol who decided to leave his original company. After more than 16 years with YG Entertainment since being a trainee, TOP ended his contract in February this year. YG said he will take on a number of new challenges as both an artist and an entrepreneur.

READ MORE: 5 K-Pop Idols Who Left Their Groups in 2022

The agency went on to say that as long as conditions are right, TOP will always participate in BIGBANG activities whenever possible.

His departure came before the boy group returned in April with a new song, “Still Life”.

14:00 Taecyeon

(Image credit: Instagram: @taecyeonokay)
7 K-pop idols who left their companies but not their groups: EXO Lay, more

After debuting in 2008, 2PM remained active in the music scene until 2017, when the members went on a temporary hiatus to do their mandatory military service. In 2018, only six members (including former member Jay Park) renewed their exclusive contracts with JYP Entertainment. Taecyeon decided to leave the agency and signed with 51K, but assured fans that he would continue the promotion at 2:00 PM.

In fact, in June 2021, Taecyeon attended the 14:00 comeback with his seventh studio album “MUST”.

Girls generation Tiffany, Seohyun, Sooyoung

(Photo: Facebook: Girls Generation)
7 K-pop idols who left their companies but not their groups: EXO Lay, more

The last K-pop idols on our list are Girls’ Generation members Tiffany, Seohyun and Sooyoung. The three left SM Entertainment at the same time in October 2017, while the five remaining members – YoonA, Taeyeon, Sunny, Yuri and Hyoyeon – renewed their contracts with the label.

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Since then, Girls’ Generation returned in August this year to celebrate the 15th anniversary of their debut. They released their seventh studio album “FOREVER 1”.

Do you know any other K-pop idols who left their original companies but remained members of their groups?

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Written by Maria Scott