Where Is EXID Now? — Here’s What The 5 Members Are Doing Since Parting Ways
While EXID hasn’t officially disbanded, it’s been a long time since the final lineup of five members parted ways to new agencies and new career paths. There’s still hope for another OT5 comeback in the future, but what has everyone been up to since their last Korean release in May 2019? Here’s what Solji, LE, Hani, Hyelin, and Jeonghwa are doing now.
1. Solji
EXID’s leader and main vocalist Solji left Banana Culture Entertainment in February 2020, almost a year ago. Just a few days later, she began finalizing her move to C-Jes Entertainment—the company that manages JYJ, Gummy, and actors like Choi Min Sik and Hwang Jung Eum.
Shortly after signing a contract with the agency in March 2020, Solji began releasing new music. Starting with an OST for the popular MBC drama Find Me in Your Memory, she announced her official solo debut in June that year.
In early July, Solji released her highly anticipated emotional breakup ballad debut, “Rains Again”. The song peaked at no.18 on the Melon Music Chart, and Solji was showered with support from her members. She also took her debut as an opportunity to start her own Twitter account and YouTube channel (titled Soul_G).
In October 2020, Solji announced her first solo concert, due to take place in December. However, the event (along with other concerts from her labelmates) was sadly canceled due to COVID-19 concerns. Most recently, Solji released a new OST this month, but fans are still hoping she’ll get to reschedule her solo concert soon.
2. LE
EXID’s main rapper and lead dancer LE left Banana Culture Entertainment in March 2020, making her the final member to depart from the agency. The following month, she assured fans that the members would find ways to promote together occasionally in the future.
Since then, LE has primarily focused on her work as a producer. When she left Banana Culture Entertainment, she already had 67 songs with songwriting and production credits. One notable song she produced last year was “Let Me Dance”, a remake which EVERGLOW recorded as an OST for MBC’s The Spies Who Loved Me.
After producing several songs in collaboration with EXID’s creator, Shinsadong Tiger, LE is now working with him on his new group, TRI.BE. Together, they’re producing TRI.BE’s debut album, set to release in February. LE also recently revealed that she’s currently preparing to release a solo album.
3. Hani
EXID’s lead vocalist, lead dancer, visual, and face Hani was one of the first members of EXID’s final lineup to leave Banana Culture Entertainment. After the group finished their 2019 summer Japan tour, she found a new agency—Sublime Artist Agency, which also manages T-ARA‘s Hyomin and PRISTIN‘s Lim Nayoung.
Around the same time, it was revealed that Hani would be starting a career as an actress under her birth name: Ahn Hee Yeon. That November, she scored the lead role as a bartender in revenge web-drama XX, which premiered in January 2020.
Next, she was selected for a role in MBC’s sci-fi project, SF8. Hani also made a cameo on The Spies Who Loved Me—the same drama LE produced a song for. Her latest acting role will be in KakaoTV‘s Not Yet 30, where she’ll be playing a lead character, so it seems like her drama career is going swimmingly.
4. Hyelin
EXID’s lead vocalist Hyelin (also sometimes known as Hyerin) terminated her contract with Banana Culture Entertainment just over a year ago in January 2020. She finally found her new agency, SidusHQ, in May that year; the company is home to music acts like g.o.d as well as numerous actors and actresses.
When Hyelin joined the company, she revealed she has plans to explore the entertainment industry outside of music, indicating that she may debut as an actress one day. But, for now, she’s mainly focusing on TV appearances (such as Celeb Beauty 2 and her stint on Miss Back) and her growing YouTube channel, Hyelin’s My Way.
5. Jeonghwa
Finally, EXID’s main dancer, lead rapper, vocalist, visual, and maknae Jeonghwa left Banana Culture at the same time Hani did after deciding not to renew her contract. She signed a new contract with JWIDECOMPANY (home to actors like Lee Sang Yoon, Kim Tae Ri, and more) in July 2019.
Before joining EXID, Jeonghwa was already beginning a career in television. She made her acting debut with a bit part in SBS‘s Wives on Strike at the age of 9, so it’s no surprise that she’s been delving back into the acting world since leaving her former agency.
In 2020 alone, she booked two movie roles: action-noir film Dragon’s Inn and comedy Handsome Guys. Later, she also cast in a slapstick comedy play, Passion 3 Generation.
