While it’s not unusual for a couple of K-Pop groups to lose one or more members in any given year, 2022 has been particularly rough for a lot of groups. From scandals to contract expirations to health complications, there seem to have been more than the usual number of idols to leave their groups in the past 12 months. Here are all 36 former idols that left their K-Pop group in 2022.
1. Jae (former DAY6)
One of the earliest announcements of a member leaving their group this year was when Jae was announced to be leaving DAY6 at the very end of December/beginning of January. The decision was made after discussions with Jae about his desire to leave the group, which the label obliged.
2. Somyi (former DIA)
Also in January, Somyi announced that she would officially be leaving DIA after a nearly three-year long hiatus due to health reasons.
3. Denise (former Secret Number)
Denise departed the Secret Number in February. Her contract with Vine Entertainment had ended, and she decided to leave the group instead of renewing.
4. Wondae (former DKZ)
Wondae ended up leaving DKZ in March after an extended hiatus due to a serious shoulder injury. His doctor was said to have recommended constant rehabilitation in the future, leading to his withdrawal from the group.
5. Chihoon (former TO1)
TO1 lost several members this year, starting with the departure of Chihoon in April following the cancellation of his contract with Wake One Entertainment.
6. Naeun (former Apink)
After 11 years with the group, Naeun decided to leave Apink in April of this year after she ended her contract with IST Entertainment last year and signed with YG Entertainment as an actress instead.
7. Hyeongbin (former Bandage)
Another group to lose a member in April was Bandage. Hyeongbin, the bassist and maknae of Bandage, decided to leave the band after realizing that the members had different ideas for their path forward in music.
8. Jiho (former OH MY GIRL)
Jiho announced her decision to leave OH MY GIRL in May of this year. It appears that she wants to refocus her career after spending seven years with the K-Pop group, as she has since signed a contract with P&Studio as an actress.
9. Chiwoo (former KINGDOM)
Fans of KINGDOM were dismayed to learn in May that Chiwoo would be leaving the group due to “personal circumstances”. Soon afterwards, Hwon was announced to be joining the group and keeping KINGDOM at seven members.
10. Woonggi (former TO1)
Woonggi was another member to leave TO1 in 2022, departing the group with two other members in June, though their reasons are unknown.
11. Jerome (former TO1)
Jerome was another of the trio of TO1 to depart the group in June.
12. Minsu (former TO1)
Minsu was the final member of the trio that left TO1 in June.
13. Jiyoon (former Weeekly)
Weeekly suddenly and shockingly lost a member in July when Jiyoon‘s departure was announced. She had been struggling with her mental health for some time beforehand, and it was decided that it would be best for her to focus on treatment and healing.
14. Garam (former LE SSERAFIM)
Arguably one of the biggest shocks this year was the removal of Garam only a few months after LE SSERAFIM debuted back in May. She officially left the group in July after bullying allegations were raised against her, and her current future plans are unknown. She has since been seen back in school wearing SOPA’s uniform.
15. Sohee (former ICHILLIN’)
Another member who left their group in July was Sohee when she left ICHILLIN’. It sounds like her future plans didn’t match with where the group was heading, so they decided to part ways amicably.
16. Gyuri (former fromis_9)
Also in July, another unexpected member departure from a group came when Gyuri announced her decision to leave fromis_9. Her contract with the group’s label ended on July 31, and she decided not to renew.
17. Judy (former BLACKSWAN)
July was a big month for members leaving K-Pop groups, and former BLACKSWAN members Judy was among them. She, along with another member, was said to be “graduating” from the group after she decided she wanted to pursue different paths outside of BLACKSWAN. It also came shortly after two new members, Sriya and Gabi, joined the group.
18. Youngheun (former BLACKSWAN)
Youngheun was the other member, alongside Judy, to leave BLACKSWAN in July for the same reasons as stated above.
19. Ella (former PIXY)
Rookie group PIXY took a hard hit in August when it was announced that Ella and and another member would be leaving the group. Both had already been on hiatus for personal health reasons, and it was decided it was best for both of them to focus on getting better. Soon afterwards, new member Rinji was introduced to make PIXY a five-member group.
20. Satbyeol (former PIXY)
Satbyeol is the other member, alongside Ella, to leave PIXY in August.
21. Jihyo (former PRECIOUS)
In September, PRECIOUS lost three members, including Jihyo, after they terminated their contracts with UMI Entertainment. Remaining members EunB and Hanwoom are said to be continuing with PRECIOUS as a duo at this time.
22. Leeseo (former PRECIOUS)
Leeseo is the second of three members to leave PRECIOUS in September.
23. Hanbyeol (former PRECIOUS)
And finally, Hanbyeol also left PRECIOUS in September alongside Jihyo and Leeseo.
24. Heochan (former VICTON)
In October, VICTON fans were stunned to learn of Heochan being involved in a DUI incident. In order to “not cause further damage” to his groupmates, he decided to leave VICTON due to his actions.
25. Ravn (former ONEUS)
Another shocking departure to happen in October was when Ravn ended up leaving ONEUS. He made the decision after an alleged ex-girlfriend accused him of cheating and gaslighting, apparently to avoid causing harm to the remaining members.
26. Huiyeon (former LIGHTSUM)
Also in October, Huiyeon and another member were announced to be leaving LIGHTSUM. Exact reasons are not yet known, but label Cube Entertainment stated that they would be reorganizing as a six-member group after “careful discussion”.
27. Jian (former LIGHTSUM)
Jian left LIGHTSUM in October alongside Huiyeon.
28. Yedam (former TREASURE)
One of the arguably most surprising withdrawals of a member from a K-Pop group in 2022 was when Yedam and another member were announced to be leaving TREASURE in November. Yedam’s reason was stated as a desire to pursue a career as a producer rather than an idol.
29. Mashiho (former TREASURE)
Mashiho was the other member of TREASURE to leave the group in November. Sadly, his reason was due to ongoing health issues after an extended hiatus due to said issues.
30. Jieun (former PURPLE KISS)
Also in November, Jieun was announced to be leaving PURPLE KISS due to health problems after already being on an extended hiatus for anxiety and poor health.
31. Chuu (former LOONA)
Chuu’s recent withdrawal from LOONA came after an extended period of uncertainty about her future with the group. The group’s label, BlockBerry Creative, said the reason for her removal was because of alleged “verbal abuse and misuse of power”, though many have stepped forward in support of Chuu since then.
32. Ze:U (former Black Level)
Ze:U was one of four members to leave Black Level in November only nine months after they debuted in February. The reason given was because the members wanted to pursue their idol dreams separately.
33. Uin (former Black Level)
Uin was another member to depart Black level in November, announced by label VT Entertainment.
34. Younghoon (former Black Level)
Younghoon was the third of the four members to leave Black Level.
35. Taeyoung (former Black Level)
Taeyoung was the final member to leave Black Level this year.
36. Jinni (former NMIXX)
The news of Jinni’s departure from NMIXX is still very fresh, and at this point, no exact reason has been given for her leaving the group, though many rumors have been spread about it already. The only explanation given is that she left for “personal reasons”.
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