Jihyo Is the Third TWICE Member to Leave JYP

Singer Jihyo announced in the early hours of today (21) her departure from the record label JYP Entertainment.

The leader of TWICE also announced the founding of a new label, EMITHAUS, which will be responsible for managing her solo career from now on.

In an open letter to fans, she pledged to continue participating in group activities with TWICE, just as her groupmates Chaeyoung and Jeongyeon, who also left JYP.

Check out Jihyo's original text here , and a full translation below:

"Good afternoon. This is Jihyo.

I'm leaving a post because I have some news to tell you.

I have come to an end of my journey with JYP, who has been with me for 21 years since childhood.

It's not as easy as I thought to summarize the time twenty years into a few sentences.
From childhood to adolescence to adulthood, most of the moments of my life have been spent at JYP.
There were good days and some bad days, but it's clear that all those times have made me who I am.
Thank you very much to all JYP members who have been with me for a long time and helped me grow.
I will long remember the times and hearts we shared together.

Independence to me is closer to choosing how to live the future, rather than a conclusion to the past.
With that beginning we established a new company EMITHAUS.
Like EMIT, which means 'emitting', I want to freely capture my potential that I have not yet discovered here.
As I move away from the familiar environment and continue my work in a new way, I will be more careful and responsible for all future choices and activities.

And this choice doesn't mean parting with a team that has been together for a long time.
TWICE is an indispensable part of my life.
I'm looking forward to the time we'll spend together as much as the time we've spent together.
I want to stand on the same stage with the members in the future and continue the times we will create together.

Most of all, thank you ONCE for believing in me and watching over me for the past 11 years.
I know it's never for granted that it takes a long time to watch a person's countless changes and growth.
Thank you for encouraging me with your unwavering faith and support throughout a long time.
The future time will also be filled with low choices and efforts, and I will grow into an artist worthy of the love and support you have given me.

Thank you."

TWICE, which has been active in the K-pop industry since 2015, is responsible for some of the genre's biggest hits, such as "Feel Special" and "I Can't Stop Me".

The group has been going through a period of contract renegotiation with JYP Entertainment in recent months. In addition to Jeongyeon, Chaeyoung, and Jihyo, members like Tzuyu may also leave the agency soon.