WHEN MEMBERS LEFT KPOP GROUP AND THE AGENCY YET STILL HAVE STRONG BOND

Every KPop group has an agency in charge of managing schedules, appearances, album design, income, and so on. The members of the 11 groups below were originally in the same agency, but they ultimately chose not to renew their contracts after their contract expired (generally about 5-7 years) and move to other companies which probably give more rewards or career exposure.

Even so, this did not disturb their group friendship. Some even still makes a special project together even in different agencies, for eg special comeback together, with individual solo career. This proven the rumor that every Kpop group bond is all about money, because there is several groups who actually has real friendship (although I can't deny there is some Kpop group who is only about business, and their closeness is just a play, eg: secret, missA, T-ara, EXO. Even tho, most of the times it's between specific members vs the rest of members). Here are the group who can maintain their friendship after their first contract expired:

1. Girls' Generation (SNSD)

SNSD is a girl group from SM Entertainment which debuted in 2007. Last September 2019, five SNSD members officially extended their contracts with SM Entertainment. While some of SNSD members, eg: Tiffany, Sooyoung and Seohyun, chose to move agencies. Difference case than ex-member Jessica who is seen as "betrayal", the three of them are still officially registered as members of Girls' Generation. It seems because they leave SM entertainment in a good term. Seohyun and Sooyoung are seeking agency for her acting career, while Tiffany choose to go back to the US. Every once in a year, they met again together even have collaboration as guest in members personal youtube channel. They recently celebrate their 10th anniversary together.

2. 2AM

2AM is a powerful singer that consist of 4 members from JYP entertainment. After their contract expiration, the four members stated that in the contract with the new agency, it was written that they could continue to participate in activities with 2AM.

3. 2PM

2PM debut under JYP as a boy group since 2017. Only after 1 year of their debut, they needs to lose one of its leader, jay park, for controversy, saying Korea is gay. After that during years, 2PM, started their hiatus as the members one by one left for military service. Taecyeon did not renew his contract with JYP, but he stated that he was still a member of 2PM until now. JYP also still be friend with him.

4. f (X)

fx debuted in 2009, just celebrated their 11th anniversary last September by uploading photos of them together since debut through their respective social media. f (x) became the next girl group from SM Entertainment whose members chose to change agencies. Three members of f (x), namely Victoria, Amber and Luna, decided to leave SM since 2019, while Krystal officially moved agencies in October 2020. Fx needs to lose one of its member due to dating scandal, aka Sulli with Choiza. And it's more sadden by the suicide news of Sulli later on. But the remaining members seems close with each other now. Krystal and Victoria focus on their acting career, even Victoria is now working in China, her hometown. Amber also decide to go back to the US.

5. Girl's Day

Since 2019, the four Girls' Day members decided not to renew their contract with Dream T Entertainment. Even so, Dream T stated that Girls' Day is only currently on hiatus and that they will return in full lineup someday.

6. Highlights

Beast is a boy group that debuted under Cube Entertainment in 2009. In 2016, all of its members decided not to extend their contract with Cube and chose to create their own agency called Around Us Entertainment. The Beast members finally debuted together as a new group called Highlight in 2017.

7. ZE: A

Some members of ZE: A are now known as top actors, but it cannot be denied that they are still officially registered as members of the boy group that debuted at Star Empire Entertainment. The agency stated that even though some members have moved on, ZE: A has not yet disbanded and will make a comeback at the right time.

8. Block B

Many mistakenly thought that Zico automatically left Block B when he announced that he would not renew his contract with Seven Seasons and decided to set up his own agency. However, Block B members, including Zico himself stated that he is still the leader of the boy group that debuted in 2011 even though they are now under a different agency. Block B last released a joint album in 2017, now they are on hiatus because the members are currently serving in the military.

9. EXID

In 2019, Hani and Jeonghwa left Banana Culture first, while three other EXID members followed in March 2020. Until now, there has been no statement from Banana Culture regarding the continuation of EXID's career. However, one of the members, LE, stated that the current members still want to perform and release an album together. Therefore, they asked fans to wait until they finally found a way to work as EXID again.

10. Shinhwa

This is a group whose cohesiveness is exemplary! Shinhwa debuted at SM Entertainment in 1998 with 6 members and became the most durable KPop group in history. They decided to leave SM Entertainment in 2003.

Until now, the members have moved agencies many times, and some have even established their own agencies. Even so, Shinhwa is still actively working until now. They last made a comeback in 2018 with the release of their group's 20th anniversary album.

11. VIXX

In May 2019, Jellyfish Entertainment announced that Leo, Ken, Hongbin, and Hyuk had renewed their contracts with them, while Ravi decided to set up his own agency.

Last October 2020, Jellyfish again stated that N had left the agency, but he did not want to part with VIXX. N, who just got out of the military, wrote a letter uploaded via his Instagram account that he promised to remain a good leader for VIXX.