Having debuted as a hybrid trio in 2007, it has been reported that group 8Eight (Lee Hyun, Baek Chan, Joo Hee) has officially disbanded after seven years, going their separate ways.
It has been revealed that members Joo Hee and Baek Chan’s exclusive contract with Big Hit Entertainment expired in September 2014, and the contract was not renewed. Due to this, there was a high possible chance of 8Eight being dismantled.
Big Hit Entertainment told Star News, “No further activities have been planned for 8Eight. The expiration of their contract has interrupted their activities. However, their friendship between the three members still remain intact.”
Additionally, the agency confirms with Newsen on December 21st, “Joo Hee and Baek Chan’s contract expired in September.”
Though no longer under Big Hit Entertainment, reportedly Joo Hee and Baek Chan are undergoing a search for an agency.
Due to enlisting in the army during an active contract, Lee Hyun remains in Big Hit Entertainment by himself, and is expected to continue activities as both a soloist and as part of the project duo group Homme with 2AM’s Changmin. Lee Hyun branched off as a soloist during his time as 8Eight, eventually promoting as the duo Homme, releasing tracks such as, “I Was Able to Eat Well,” and entered the military in 2012.
Big Hit Entertainment further confirmed, “Lee Hyun is preparing a new solo album scheduled to be released in the first half of next year.”
8Eight first appeared in 2007 as part of the MBC program Show Survival, and stole their audience’s hearts with their superb vocals and diversity in music. That same year, they released their first studio album The First, and has released a total of three studio albums and two mini-albums, not including singles.
They further rose into prominence following their music video release for “Without A Heart,” which featured former Wonder Girls’ member Sohee.
The trio’s last released single was published on September 19th, 2014, their first in three years, and is titled “Don’t Go Crazy.”
