Entertainment

Fromis_9, a renowned K-pop group, has made a significant announcement regarding their future. Just before reaching their official seventh anniversary in late January, PLEDIS Entertainment revealed on November 29 that the exclusive contract with fromis_9 (consisting of Lee Sae Rom, Song Ha Young, Park Ji Won, Roh Ji Sun, Lee Seo Yeon, Lee Chae Young, Lee Na Gyung, and Baek Ji Heon) will expire by the end of December. This decision comes after in-depth discussions with the members about their individual futures and directions, resulting in an amicable end to the exclusive artist contract.

Expressing Gratitude and Farewell

PLEDIS Entertainment expressed their deep gratitude to the fans who have loved fromis_9. The group joined PLEDIS in August 2021 and has presented a diverse range of music such as “Talk & Talk,” “DM,” “Stay This Way,” “#menow,” and “Supersonic.” They have grown into artists loved not only by their fandom “flover” but also by many K-pop fans. Fromis_9 will release a fan song on December 23 as a token of their gratitude and will attend their final engagements, marking the close of their official activities with PLEDIS. The company wholeheartedly supports the future endeavors of fromis_9.

Early Beginnings and Success

Fromis_9 was first established in 2017 through the reality competition show Idol School. Initially, they faced challenges in terms of album sales, but with PLEDIS' support, they managed to turn things around. Their first Number One hit, “Talk & Talk,” was their breakthrough under the agency after leaving Off the Record. Their latest single, the beach-ready “Supersonic” released last August, achieved great chart success, reaching No. 2 on the Circle Digital Chart and No. 10 on Billboard's South Korean Songs chart. Even weeks after its release, the song remained a streaming hit, reaching the Top 5 of Korea's biggest streaming service, Melon.

Missed Opportunities and Future Considerations

PLEDIS shared that fromis_9 will release a special song dedicated to their fans on December 23. However, not capitalizing on the lasting impact of “Supersonic” and exploring the group's potential after earning their first Top 10 single seems like a missed opportunity for future growth. While the announcement does not provide much clarity on fromis_9's future, the fans' support during their last month with PLEDIS is crucial in ensuring a promising future together. The group's journey with PLEDIS has been filled with ups and downs, but their impact on the K-pop scene is undeniable.