The Story Behind LE SSERAFIM Chaewon’s Move From Woollim Entertainment To Source Music
After a successful 2 and a half years, IZ*ONE disbanded in 2021, and the members went their separate ways. Some members, such as Wonyoung and Yujin, debuted in new groups…
…while others, such as Eunbi and Yena, made their respective solo debuts…
…and others, such as Hitomi and Nako, returned to their own groups after the completion of IZ*ONE’s activities!
Similarly, both Sakura and Chaewon made headlines after it was announced that they joined HYBE Labels as new artists, and debuted in LE SSERAFIM together this year!
Prior to signing with HYBE, Chaewon was a trainee under Woollim Entertainment, and surprised many netizens when she was revealed to be debuting with Source Music‘s new girl group instead. Before the news was confirmed, however, there were many rumors related to her change in label. Many fans speculated that after she returned to the agency, Woollim ended up selling her contract to HYBE because they had no idea about what to do with her career, and also because they were running at a deficit at the time.
whats the situation between chaewon, hybe and woollim anyway? did woollim invested to hybe to make a joint venture group with some of the izone girls? or they sold chaewon's contract to hybe?
— jr (@sanctuaryz) August 29, 2021
WAIT…….woollim really sold chaewon’s contract to hybe?????
— Tri: #1 W(NBA)JSN enjoyer (@tri_noodle) August 29, 2021
Chaewon, however, set the record straight with a recent interview! She sat down with Weverse magazine to talk about her second debut as an idol, where she also shared why she changed agencies!
Chaewon revealed that after IZ*ONE disbanded, she returned to her agency full of uncertainties about her career as an idol. She talked about how she wanted to continue being an idol in a girl group, and then confirmed that when Source Music made her an offer to join their upcoming girl group, she jumped at the chance with the support of everyone from Woollim!
I wrapped up my time with IZ*ONE last year but then I became worried and uncertain about what I should do going forward. Two and a half years isn’t very long to be in a group, after all. I wanted to be in a group again because I still had a lot of dreams of things I wanted to achieve as part of a group and because I really regretted all the things I never got a chance to show off.
That’s when SOURCE MUSIC told me they were making a new group and made me an offer, and the people at my previous label supported me and respected my decision, and that’s how I ended up making a fresh start somewhere new.
—Chaewon
She also shared that she felt that even though she had to start all over again as a trainee at her new agency, she definitely felt it was worth it, and was happy with her decision!
It’s not easy changing labels, being a trainee again and having to start everything over from the beginning. But I thought I would have regretted it if I didn’t do it. It’s not every day that you have an opportunity to debut with a group again, and I wanted to challenge myself, rather than take the safe way and keep myself from the things I want to do.
I decided to follow my heart in the end.
—Chaewon
Chaewon is shining in her new group! Watch LE SSERAFIM’s debut song “Fearless” here!
