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TWICE member Jeongyeon has officially become the first member of the K-pop girl group to leave their longtime agency, JYP Entertainment
In an Instagram post today, 10 August, Jeongyeon, whose full name is Yoo Jeong-yeon, said she is preparing to start a new chapter with a new entertainment agency.
"Leaving a place that feels so familiar to me was daunting at first, but I was able to find the courage thanks to my members and our ONCE who have always believed in me.
"I am deeply grateful to my members and ONCE; words cannot fully express my gratitude. I am also very grateful to the JYP family who helped me grow into the person I am today," said the 29-year-old lead vocalist.
Although Jeongyeon has left JYP Entertainment, she will remain a member of TWICE, saying that her role in the group will always be her first priority
"I thank you from the bottom of my heart for believing in me and always staying by my side.
"Since we still have so much time ahead of us to create new memories, I will work hard to fill those moments even more beautifully with ONCE," she wrote.
According to The Korea Times, Jeongyeon has signed an exclusive contract with Varo Entertainment, an agency that also represents her older sister, actress Gong Seung-yeon.
Jeongyeon plans to begin pursuing her acting career under the agency while continuing her activities with TWICE.
Jeongyeon debuted as a member of the nine-member girl group in 2015 at the age of 18. She was initially known for her short, tomboyish hairstyle, which became part of her early image.
As one of the group's lead vocalists and lyricists, Jeongyeon is also known as the 'mum' of the group for her caring and motherly nature.
According to IMDb, TWICE has received numerous awards throughout its decade-long career, including Best Female Group at the MAMA Awards a year after its debut and Best Female K-pop Artist at this year's American Music Awards.
Read Jeongyeon's full statement here:
