IZ*ONE may not be disbanding in April 2021 after all according to the recent news that claims CJ ENM and IZ*ONE are talking about a potential contract extension.
According to an exclusive report from Ilgan Sports, CJ ENM has recently been meeting with the IZ*ONE members’ agencies to discuss in earnest the potential for a contract extension. Although they have not yet been in contact with all of the agencies, some of the members and agencies who have been contacted are reportedly confirming that they want to stay with IZ*ONE. Talks are apparently shooting towards speeding up the process of a contract extension.
If an extension is completed, this will mark the first time within the Produce 101 series groups that an extension was agreed upon, and not have the group disband when the contract is up. However, the process for extending isn’t expected to be as smooth as it has been so far. Currently, CJ ENM intends to support IZ*ONE, as they were the victims of vote manipulation. But the possible renewal is also affected by the public reception and the shock that came after it was revealed that the program’s results were manipulated.
In addition, an insider hinted that IZ*ONE actually agreed to unofficially end promotions on December 31, 2020 due to various factors.
On the outside it looks like IZ*ONE’s contracts end in April 2021, but in reality, there was an internal agreement to only have the group work together until December 31, 2020. The decision was made in conjunction with various situations, such as the producers being arrested and IZ*ONE’s dorm contract ending at the end of 2020.
— Insider
Agencies that have been planning for their IZ*ONE members to return to their care following the end of IZ*ONE’s activities may now in a difficult situation. Many agencies have been preparing for their artists’ second chapter of promotions after the project group’s disbandment. CJ ENM stated that this is an issue they are aware of and will make a new contract for IZ*ONE while respecting the opinions of the various agencies.
