Idols who have already left SM Entertainment

Last week, Red Velvet fans were surprised by the announcement that Wendy and Yeri They decided not to renew their contracts with SM Entertainment and would be leaving the company, but will continue to be part of the group and will be present in the next releases of the group.

In the official statement, the agency says that “as members of Red Velvet, Wendy and Yeri They will work with us in their group activities, and we ask you to wait for the Red Velvet brilliant journey that will continue to unfold. ”

Despite being one of the largest K-pop companies in the industry, it is worth remembering that over the years, SM has also lost other great artists. Check out some stars that left SM Entertainment!

1. Onew and Taemin (Shinee)

In March 2024, Taemin and OnewThey surprised everyone with the announcement that, with the end of their exclusive contracts, they would not renew with SM Entertainment. Although they are still part of Shinee, and promote with the group under the agency seal today, the two meet in different companies: while Maknae is at BPM Entertainment, Viviz’s house and Badvillain, the leader signed with the newly created Griffin Entertainment.

2. F (x)

SM experimental group, all F (X) members left the company in 2019. Currently, the leader Victory Works as an actress, with projects in China; Amber It follows in the career of a singer, under the seal of Steel Wool Entertainment; Lunabesides releasing albums, he has also bet on the musical theater, having his career managed by his own company, Grida Entertainment; Already Maknae, KrystalAfter leaving SM Entertainment, he signed with H&WNS, and has only focused on his acting career in South Korea.

It is also worth remembering that SulliIdol, who was part of the group from 2009 to 2015, was the only one who remained in the company. Unfortunately, the artist died in October 2019 at the age of 25.

3. Jaejoong, Yoochun and Junsu (TVxq!)

TVXQ! debuted as a group of five members in 2003, however, in 2009, Jaejoong, Yoochun and Junsu They decided to sue SM Entertainment to terminate their contracts, which would last 13 years, according to Koreaboo, and had unfair distribution of profit. In the same year, the contracts were officially suspended after the Central District Court of Seoul decides in favor of the idols.

In addition to seeking better working conditions, the trio’s attitude was extremely important for the K-Pop industry as, thanks to the dispute, a series of discussions about the period of contracts emerged in the country, leading the South Korean fair trade committee to issue a new regulation requiring entertainment contracts to have a maximum of seven years. At the moment, Jaejoong It is under the seal of its own company, Inkode; Junsu signed with Palmtree Island; and Yoochun retired from the stage.

4. Seohyun, Tiffany, Sooyoung and Sunny (Girls’ Generation)

In 2017, shortly after the 10th anniversary of Girls’ Generation, Seohyun, Tiffany and Sooyoung They announced that they were leaving the agency after the end of their contracts. With the three interspersing the career of singer with that of actress, today Seohyun It’s in the actors, Tiffany in the sublime and Sooyoung at Saram Entertainment. Already Sunny He announced his departure from SM Entertainment in 2023, after 16 years of collaboration, and since then has not signed with another company.

5. Kris, Tao, Luhan, Baekhyun, Chen, Xiumin, Do and Lay (EXO)

In 2014, Kris, So and Luhan They filed a lawsuit against SM Entertainment demanding the end of their contracts with the company, and ended up leaving the group. In 2022, Lay announced through Instagram that it was leaving the agency, but “I will always be the Lay when my members need. ”So far, Idol continues to hiatus in the group’s activities.

Already in 2023, Baekhyun, Chen and Xiumin They also filed a legal action against the company requested the end of contracts, but they still got the right to stay in training.