On October 25, Xports News reported that Jeon Soyeon, the leader of the K-pop girl group (G)I-DLE, will be leaving Cube Entertainment.
Specifically, Soyeon recently discussed renewing her contract with the management company Cube but ultimately did not reach an agreement. The singer has decided to part ways with her first agency to pursue her own path.
Jeon Soyeon debuted as a solo singer in November 2017, before debuting with (G)I-DLE in May 2018. Not only is she the leader and main rapper of (G)I-DLE, but Soyeon is also the group’s songwriter and music producer. She takes on various roles, from writing lyrics, composing, and arranging songs in the albums, to shaping the group’s concepts, storytelling, and image. This has helped boost (G)I-DLE’s popularity and establish their unique identity.
In a talk show in July, Soyeon revealed that if she works hard and efficiently, there are months when she can earn 1 billion won. This highlights Soyeon’s talent, importance, and the massive workload she handles as a key member of (G)I-DLE.
After the school bullying scandal involving Soojin erupted in late February 2021, (G)I-DLE seemed to be “boycotted” by the public. Whenever any information about the group’s activities was mentioned, they were met with a “storm of criticism.” At that time, both fans and the public believed that the girl group was on the verge of collapse.
However, (G)I-DLE made a successful comeback with I Never Die. At that time, the title track TOMBOY, composed by Soyeon, became a massive hit, instantly propelling (G)I-DLE back into the competitive landscape of 4th generation K-pop.
Seizing the momentum, (G)I-DLE made another comeback with the album I Love and its title track NXDE. NXDE continued to showcase the group’s bold concepts and Soyeon’s creative vision. At that time, Soyeon revealed the story behind (G)I-DLE’s latest title track, Nxde. She shared that the company initially opposed her idea due to the sensitivity of the song’s title. However, the idol persisted, firmly standing by her concept. Soyeon had previously impressed fans when she called staff members into a meeting room and confidently presented her vision.
Thanks to Soyeon’s talent, (G)I-DLE then regained their position and gradually won back the public’s affection.
However, the group is likely to face challenges again following Soyeon’s departure. Accordingly, the public’s enthusiasm for the remaining members of (G)I-DLE has also waned.
Members Shuhua, in particular, has often faced criticism for her singing ability and has been known for her frequent slip-ups controversies. At the same time, (G)I-DLE has also faced a lot of criticism for their overly sexy image.
Additionally, after Soyeon’s departure, the group is left with only one Korean member, Miyeon. However, Miyeon has not yet emerged as a standout name among the idols of the 4th generation. Thus, this further complicates the group’s efforts to maintain the affection of the Korean public.
So the question now is, will the remaining members step up to fill Soyeon’s void, or will they come to a sad end of disbanding?