Reports have emerged indicating that Jihyo, the leader of the K-pop group TWICE, is leaving JYP Entertainment—her home of 21 years—to pursue an independent career path.
On July 14, South Korean media outlet JoyNews24 reported, citing multiple music industry sources, that Jihyo has decided to establish a one-person agency ahead of the expiration of her exclusive contract with JYP Entertainment. According to these reports, she is planning to intensify her solo activities and has already been holding meetings with various industry insiders.
In response to the reports, JYP Entertainment issued an official statement clarifying the situation: “TWICE is currently in the period of discussing contract renewals, and we are continuing careful deliberations. We will provide an update as soon as the matter is finalized.”
Jihyo originally joined JYP Entertainment as a trainee in 2005. After ten years of rigorous training, she debuted in 2015 as the leader and main vocalist of TWICE. While fulfilling her central role in the group, she expanded her horizons as a solo artist by releasing her first mini-album, ZONE, in 2023.
Music industry insiders predict that even if Jihyo moves to a new agency, she is highly likely to continue her group activities with TWICE under JYP Entertainment. This approach separates individual exclusive contracts from group promotions—a method commonly referred to in the industry as staying “separately yet together.” Legendary K-pop groups like Big Bang, BLACKPINK, and Super Junior have successfully utilized this strategy to balance solo freedom with group longevity.
All nine members of TWICE previously renewed their contracts as a whole group in 2022. As their contract expiration date approaches again this year, rumors have surfaced that other members—including Tzuyu, Jeongyeon, and Chaeyoung—might also be considering transfers to other labels.
Since their debut, TWICE has achieved historic commercial milestones in both domestic and international music markets. According to cumulative shipment data from the Circle Chart (operated by the Korea Music Content Association), TWICE’s total album sales in South Korea and Japan have exceeded 10 million copies. Furthermore, they proved their global market dominance by topping the U.S. Billboard 200 main album chart with their 13th mini-album, With YOU-th, in 2024. Data from Hanteo Chart revealed the album sold over 530,000 copies in its first week alone, achieving “half-million seller” status.
Jihyo’s solo endeavors have been equally successful; her debut solo album ZONE entered the Billboard 200 chart at number 14, and its title track rapidly racked up tens of millions of streams on Spotify shortly after its release.
Under the Standard Exclusive Contract for Popular Culture Artists established by South Korea’s Fair Trade Commission, exclusive entertainment contracts are limited to a maximum of seven years. Introduced in 2009, this regulation means that K-pop groups must decide whether to renew their contracts by their seventh year, a milestone frequently referred to by fans as the “seven-year curse.” While TWICE successfully broke this curse in 2022, their current round of renewals marks another critical turning point for the iconic group.
