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For K-pop fans, the 7-year mark can be an uncertain time as group contracts expire. Girl group Oh My Girl debuted in 2015 on WM Entertainment. The company announced on May 9, 2022, that member Jiho is not renewing her contract and will no longer be a member of the K-pop group.

Oh My Girl member Jiho, who recently left the group, poses at the Korean Popular Culture and Arts Awards in Seoul, South Korea.
Jiho | The Chosunilbo JNS/Imazins via Getty Images

WM announces Jiho’s departure, ‘We will respect Jiho’s decision to head towards her new dream’

WM Entertainment broke the news to Oh My Girl fans that group member Jiho is leaving. According to a statement shared with South Korean’s Star Today, the lead vocalist and visual of the seven-member girl group decided not to renew her contract after seven years with Oh My Girl.

“First of all, we express our deep gratitude to the fans and many other people for always supporting and loving Oh My Girl.

The agency has renewed exclusive contracts with the six members of Oh My Girl, Hyojung, Mimi, YooA, Seunghee, Yoo Bin (formerly known as Binnie), and Arin. With deep trust and confidence in each other built over working together for seven years, we plan to not hold back on our full support so that the six members can promote actively in diverse fields.

Furthermore, we will respect Jiho’s decision to head towards her new dream after the end of long in-depth conversations with the members of course as well the agency, and we inform you that her exclusive contract with us has ended.

We express our gratitude to Jiho who has been with us for a long period of seven years, and we will sincerely support Jiho in her future activities.

The six members will continue to promote together as Oh My Girl. Along with a new start, they will continue to impress further, so please continue to send them lots of encouragement and support.”

Jiho shares a handwritten letter to fans 

On May 9, Jiho uploaded a handwritten letter to the group’s official Fan Cafe. Soompi shared a translated version. Jiho thanked Miracle (Oh My Girl fandom) and expressed support for the group. 

“In the future, I will be supporting Oh My Girl’s promotions as a member of Miracle and not as a member of Oh My Girl.” The letter continues, “Over the past seven years, the many conversations we’ve shared, the moments we met every Monday, the love that Miracle gave us, and your support are all truly things that I will never forget.”

Jiho did not disclose what “new dream” she will pursue but asked fans to continue to support Oh My Girl.

“Although I can’t yet share details about my future endeavors, I will promise you one thing. No matter what I do in the future, I will work hard and repay you with a good image. Let’s support [Oh My Girl] together in the future!”

Oh My Girl’s ‘Dun Dun Dance’ was a huge hit in 2021

One year ago, Oh My Girl released “Dun Dun Dance.” The upbeat song was the first single off their EP Dear OhMyGirl. A funky sci-fi-inspired music video entertained old and new fans.

“Dun Dun Dance” was played during the Summer Olympic Games. Specifically during South Korean volleyball matches. The song was a standard for K-pop summer playlists for 2021.

The song was Oh My Girl’s first song to reach No. 1 on the Gaon Chart. When asked about why they picked it as the lead single, Jiho told NME, “We chose “Dun Dun Dance” because we wanted to give people the energy and [for them to] feel its cheerfulness.” She continued, “we hope that they could uplift their mood even for a moment through us and our music.”

Jiho is not the first member to leave Oh My Girl. In Oct. 2017, group member JinE left the group after a long hiatus to focus on her health. JinE was regarded as one of the most popular members alongside Jiho. 

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