The lives of K-pop idols have never been easy and are filled with endless competitions that begin with the wish to debut to later becoming the best in the industry. The South Korean music industry is definitely not an easy one to survive in which leaves many sad goodbyes that come after the tough debut.
Being a K-pop idol has never been easy especially when you have to bring out your perfect self at all times for your fans. Keeping the smiles and energy high at all times is never easy, and living this life for a long time is even harder. These circumstances have made many idols make the choice to leave, however, it isn’t always the reason for their departure.
From scandals to the wish to live a normal life, there have been many reasons why K-pop idols chose to leave their groups. Some of these idols chose to completely give up their competitive glamorous lives, while others chose to rise from the ashes and give themselves another chance.
With this, we bring to you a list of Kpop idols who left their groups along with the reason for their departure.
10 Kpop Idols Who Left Their Groups
iKON – B. I.
Kim Hanbin aka B.I. is a South Korean rapper and former member and leader of the idol group iKON. After a hit debut and numerous awards for his songwriting, the idol hit an all-time low when prosecuted for buying drugs after his chat with a drug dealer was revealed. Following the scandal, the idol left the idol group and apologised to fans for his behaviour.
Kim Hanbin later served punishment for the same and made his return to the music industry as a better person and idol for his fans.
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Wonder Girls – Hyuna
One year after debuting as the rapper in the girl group Wonder Girls, Hyuna was made to leave by her parents due to health concerns. A year later, she joined Cube Entertainment and debuted in the group 4Minute. Later, her dating rumours and confirmation of the same with Pentagon’s E’Dawn ended their contract with Cube Entertainment.
She then joined P Nation and continued her solo career. While the couple later separated, she carried on with her career with PSY’s P Nation but announced that she will be not be renewing her contract with the company in 2022.
BigBang – Seungri
The BigBang member walked through a wonderful career since his debut in the entertainment industry, from being a dancer to an idol then later pursuing acting and developing a good solo career. However, his involvement in the Burning Sun scandal came as a shock to everyone following which he formally quit the group as well as the industry.
The idol was later found guilty of the charges and was sentenced to three years in prison which was later reduced to 18 months.
APink – Hong Yoo-kyung
After exhausting efforts to finally debut as a member of APink, Hong Yoo-kyung shocked everyone when she decided to leave the group back in 2013. While she stated her reason for wanting to concentrate on her studies, her father revealed that she had been forced to leave the group.
In her recent interview, Yoo-kyung shares her honest feelings about not wanting to leave the industry back then. After quitting the group, she enrolled in a fashion school and focused on her career in the fashion industry.
NCT – Lucas
Following numerous controversies in 2021, the NCT and WayV member made the announcement that he will be leaving the group in 2023. The statement was made stating that the idol will now be pursuing a solo career and that this was a mutual decision which was made after much consideration.
In June 2023, the idol was announced to be part of a mobile application.
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AOA – Cho-a
After her debut in 2012 in the group AOA, Cho-a was en route to a successful career as an idol. However, after hitting the peak of the group’s success, Cho-a announced her departure from AOA due to depression and insomnia. While her days in the girl group may have ended, her career as an idol continued.
After a three years long hiatus, the idol made her comeback and later announced the release of her single titled Yesterday in 2022.
MONSTA X – Wonho
Following a shocking accusation of stealing and taking drugs in 2019, the idol made the choice to leave the boy group MONSTA X four years after their debut. The year following his departure, the investigation results proved him innocent and free from the accusations. However, the idol decided to not return to the group and instead made the choice to pursue a solo career.
The same year, he made his comeback as a solo artist with his first solo EP Love Synonym Pt.1: Right for Me. The idol continued to advance his solo career and enlisted for his mandatory military service in 2022.
LE SSERAFIM – Kim Garam
A month after her debut in the girl group LE SSERAFIM, Kim Garam began her hiatus when bullying allegations surrounding the idol were made. Later, her company made an official announcement stating the termination of her contract.
The idol later stepped out to speak about the accusation after leaving the group, however, the company refused to make any statement about the same after her departure.
Stray Kids – Woojin
Kim Woo-jin debuted as the lead singer in Stray Kids in 2017, however, two years later he made the decision to leave the group in pursuit of a solo career. The company stated the decision to be due to personal reasons and nothing else was revealed. A year later he was brought amidst accusations of sexual harassment by unidentified women on social media which were soon proved to be false.
The idol continues to focus on his solo career and embarked on his first world tour in 2022.
(G)-IDLE – Soojin
Debuting in 2018 in the girl group (G)-IDLE, Seo Soo-jin was set to make big in the industry until bullying accusations against the idol began spreading in 2021. The company soon put the idol on hiatus, however, the investigation concluded that the accusations made against the idol were not false following which the company made the decision to terminate her contract.
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