Twice’s leader Jihyo leaves JYP after 21 years, launches new company

Park Jihyo of Twice has announced her departure from JYP Entertainment after 21 years with the agency, becoming the third member of the K-pop girl group to leave the company.

Park shared the news in a handwritten letter posted on Instagram on Wednesday, Oct. 21. She also revealed that she has established her own company, EMITHAUS, as she begins a new chapter in her career.

“After 21 years, my journey with JYP Entertainment, which began when I was just a child, has come to an end,” she wrote.

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“From my childhood to my adolescence to becoming an adult, I spent most of my life with JYP. There were good days and not so good days, but it’s clear that all those times have shaped who I am today,” added the singer. 

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READ: After Jeongyeon, Twice’s Chaeyoung announces departure from JYP Entertainment

Park explained that the name of her new company was inspired by “EMIT,” meaning “to express or release,” hoping that it would give her the freedom to explore and develop possibilities she had yet to discover.

The girl group’s leader emphasized that she will remain a member of Twice. They celebrated their 11th anniversary on Tuesday.

“This choice does not mean a farewell to the team that has been with me for a long time. TWICE is an invaluable part of my life. I look forward to the time we will spend together in the future, just as much as the time we have spent together,” she said. 

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Park’s announcement comes after fellow Twice members Jeongyeon and Chaeyoung also confirmed their departures from JYP Entertainment earlier this year.

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Yoo Jeongyeon announced on Aug. 10 that she was ending her 16-year journey with the agency. She later signed an exclusive contract with VARO Entertainment for her acting endeavors, while emphasizing that she would remain a member of Twice.

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Three days later, Son Chaeyoung announced her departure after 14 years with JYP. She said she was excited to begin a new chapter and develop her music through her own creative world, LIL FANTASY. She also clarified that leaving the agency would not mean leaving Twice. /ra