After Jeongyeon, Twice’s Chaeyoung announces departure from JYP Entertainment

Twice member Chaeyoung has announced her departure from JYP Entertainment after 14 years with the agency, becoming the second member of the K-pop girl group to leave the company.

Chaeyoung confirmed her exit from the agency through a statement on Instagram Thursday, Aug. 13, saying she wanted to tell the group’s fans, known as ONCE, first.

“I’m so excited to step into a new chapter and bring my new LIL FANTASY, a world where I can explore and build my music,” she said.

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Chaeyoung thanked JYP Entertainment and Twice for supporting her throughout her 14 years with the company. She also emphasized that her departure would not affect her status as a member of the group.

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“Most of all, please know that nothing changes with TWICE,” she said. “Everything I’ve received is thanks to my time as TWICE, which will always be my roots.”

The K-pop singer said she hopes both “Chaeyoung of TWICE” and “Chaeyoung in LIL FANTASY” can continue making meaningful music, describing the move as a “new challenge” in her career.

As of writing, Chaeyoung hasn’t revealed which agency she has signed with to manage her solo career.

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The announcement comes just three days after fellow member Jeongyeon confirmed her own departure from JYP Entertainment after 16 years with the company.

Jeongyeon announced on Aug. 10 that she was preparing to begin a “new chapter in a new place.” She subsequently signed an exclusive contract with VARO Entertainment, while making it clear that she would remain a member of Twice.

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Jeongyeon, who is expected to venture into acting, likewise expressed gratitude toward JYP and stressed that Twice would remain her priority.

The two departures come as Twice enters another contract renewal period with JYP. All nine members previously renewed their contracts with the agency in 2022.

After the group finished their record-setting world tour, rumors about the members potentially leaving JYP have circulated recently. In July, South Korean media reported that Tzuyu would not renew her exclusive contract with JYP.

The agency, however, said at the time that contract renewal discussions with the members were still ongoing and that it would make an announcement once matters were finalized.

Jihyo was also reported in July to be considering leaving JYP and establishing a one-person agency. The company again said Twice was in the process of discussing contract renewals.

Twice — consisting of Nayeon, Jeongyeon, Momo, Sana, Jihyo, Mina, Dahyun, Chaeyoung and Tzuyu — debuted under JYP Entertainment in October 2015 with the mini-album “The Story Begins.”

The group has since become one of K-pop’s most successful girl groups, scoring hits including “Cheer Up,” “TT,” “What Is Love?” “Fancy” and “Feel Special.” JYP previously credited Twice with playing a major role in establishing the company’s position in K-pop. /ra