K-pop girl group GFriend ends contract with label Source Music after six years, surprising and shocking their army of fans
- The girl group will be going their separate ways according to their label Source Music
- GFriend released their latest single and album in November, and the sudden split has shocked their fans
South Korean six-member team GFriend has parted ways with their long-term label, Source Music announced on Tuesday.
The company, under which GFriend was formed and has promoted under since their start in 2015, issued a statement yesterday revealing the exclusive artist contract between the members and the company will conclude on May 22.
“After careful consideration and extensive discussion, GFriend and Source Music have come to an agreement to follow separate paths to continued growth,” reads a statement, shared through GFriend’s official account on the Weverse fan-to-artist social media platform.
“For the past six years, GFriend has won the boundless love of K-pop fans through a wide range of concepts, performances and songs that marked a new generation of girl group and music.”
The news came as a surprise to many, and fans across the world shared confusion on social media over the suddenness of the announcement by Source Music.
“We would like to deeply thank all [of GFriend’s fandom] Buddy and fans who have shown your love for GFriend, and we ask that you give your unchanging love and support to the members who will begin their adventures in new and diverse areas. Source Music will always continue to cheer for the members as they take the first step towards new beginnings.”
Beyond their work within the group, several members have released their own music and solo tracks, and pursued careers in other entertainment fields, including variety shows and acting.
Though the official statement from Source Music does not use the term “disband” at any point, reports of the company trademarking GFriend’s name – making it difficult for the members to continue using it in the future – makes their future together, at least under the same name, unlikely.
Source Music was acquired by BTS label Big Hit Entertainment, now Hybe Corporation, in 2019, ostensibly to focus on girl groups. With the support of Source, Hybe is expected to launch a new girl group within the year.
GFriend is one of several high-profile K-pop teams whose tenure has reached the end of the standard seven-year contract with their companies in 2021, putting the industry into a state of flux as stalwart artists realign their ambitions, or renew with their companies.
