Jihyo of Twice leaves JYP Entertainment to form new agency Emithaus

Twice member Jihyo has left JYP Entertainment after 21 years.

According to Soompi, the K-pop star announced her departure in an Instagram post on Wednesday, reflecting on her journey with the agency.

“After 21 years, my journey with JYP Entertainment, which began when I was just a child, has come to an end,” Jihyo said in Korean which Soompi translated to English.

The singer expressed gratitude to the people at JYP Entertainment who supported her growth throughout the years, saying that both the good and difficult experiences shaped who she is today.

Jihyo also described her decision to become independent as a choice about how she wants to move forward in her career.

“As the first step in this new chapter, I have established my own company, Emithaus,” she said.

Explaining the name, Jihyo said “Emit” means “to express or release,” adding that she hopes the company will allow her to explore and bring to life possibilities she has yet to discover.

Despite her departure from JYP Entertainment, Jihyo assured fans she would continue her activities with Twice, emphasizing that the group remains an irreplaceable part of her life.

“Twice is an irreplaceable part of my life,” she said. “I will continue to stand on stage with my members and keep building more memories together for many years to come.”

She also thanked Twice’s official fandom, ONCE, for their unwavering love and support throughout the group's 11-year journey.

"I will continue to fill the years ahead with choices and efforts that stay true to who I am and keep growing as an artist who lives up to all the love and support you’ve given me," she concluded.

Jihyo's departure marks another change for the nine-member K-pop group, as she follows fellow members Jeongyeon and Chaeyoung in leaving the entertainment label.

Twice, comprising members Jihyo, Nayeon, Jeongyeon, Momo, Sana, Mina, Dahyun, Chaeyoung, and Tzuyu, debuted in 2015 under JYP Entertainment.

Their hits include "What is Love?" “Alcohol-Free,” "Strategy" feat. Megan Thee Stallion, "Fancy," "The Feels," "Talk That Talk," and more. — Jade Veronique Yap/LA, GMA News