Oh My Girl, the popular South Korean girl group, is celebrating its 10th anniversary with a new chapter. Four out of the six members have renewed their contracts with WM Entertainment, while the remaining two will continue to participate in group activities without exclusive contracts. This strategic move has garnered attention as the members plan to pursue both individual and group endeavors.
On the 8th, Oh My Girl announced that members Hyojung, Mimi, Seunghee, and Yubin have renewed their contracts with WM Entertainment. This marks the second time the group has renewed contracts with the agency since 2022. Meanwhile, YooA and Arin have decided not to renew their exclusive contracts.
YooA and Arin's decision to not renew their contracts is believed to be driven by their desire to focus more on acting. Arin recently made headlines by walking the pink carpet at Cannes, accelerating her career as an actress. YooA is set to make her film debut in 'Project Y,' starring alongside actors Han So-hee and Jeon Jong-seo. She expressed her aspirations as an actress in a heartfelt letter on her personal social media, stating, "Working in the field of acting has allowed me to explore different aspects, emotions, and expressions that I couldn't show as part of Oh My Girl. I am determined to present a better version of myself as an actress."
Despite not renewing their exclusive contracts, YooA and Arin are not leaving Oh My Girl. WM Entertainment confirmed, "After in-depth discussions, YooA and Arin have agreed to end their exclusive contracts, but they will continue to be part of Oh My Girl." While specific plans for their activities have not been disclosed, it is possible for them to participate in concerts and other events through individual agreements.
In her letter, YooA expressed her commitment to the group, saying, "I will continue to dedicate myself wholeheartedly to Oh My Girl for the next 10, 20 years and beyond. Just as you love and want to protect Oh My Girl, I also want to cherish and uphold it."
The four members who remain with WM Entertainment are also actively pursuing various fields beyond music. Mimi is currently appearing on tvN's 'Earth Arcade 3,' showcasing her unique charm and wit. Seunghee made a notable impression as an actress in last year's drama 'Jung Nyeoni' and gained attention for her candid talk on MBC's 'Radio Star.' Former child actress Yubin continues to work steadily in the industry, while Hyojung is making her mark in musicals and radio.
Despite their individual pursuits, the members come together to meet fans as a group. To celebrate their 10th anniversary, Oh My Girl held a solo concert at the Olympic Hall in Seoul's Olympic Park on the 19th and 20th of last month. Prior to this, they released a special single titled 'Oh My' on the 9th.
Oh My Girl has been diligently working for a decade, finding ways to shine both individually and as a team. With the majority of the members staying with the same agency, it is expected that discussions for full-group activities will be relatively smooth. As the members remain committed to the group, fans can look forward to more captivating performances from Oh My Girl in the future.
By Kim Ji-won, TenAsia Reporter one@tenasia.co.kr