After 21 years with JYP Entertainment, K-pop idol and TWICE leader Jihyo has announced her departure from the agency and the launch of her own company, EMITHUS.
Jihyo shared the news in a handwritten letter posted on Instagram on Wednesday, October 21, thanking the agency for its support throughout her career.
“After 21 years, my journey with JYP Entertainment, which began when I was just a child, has come to an end,” the 29-year-old singer wrote in Korean in the post.
She recalled experiencing both the good and difficult times that helped shape who she is today.
Jihyo also thanked the people she worked with over the years and said she would cherish the memories they shared.
Establishment of EMITHUS
In the same post, Jihyo shared that she had established her own company, EMITHUS, as she begins a new chapter in her career.
She explained that her decision to become independent was not simply about ending her time with JYP Entertainment but about choosing the direction she wants to take moving forward.
“As the first step in this new chapter, I have established my own company, EMITHUS,” she wrote.
According to Jihyo, the company’s name draws inspiration from the word ‘EMIT’, which means to “express or release.”
She said she hopes the company will provide a space where she can freely explore her creativity and discover new possibilities as an artist.
Future with TWICE
Despite leaving JYP Entertainment, Jihyo reassured fans of her commitment to TWICE, describing the group as an irreplaceable part of her life.
She expressed her desire to continue performing alongside her fellow members and creating more memories together.
Jihyo also thanked ONCE, TWICE’s official fan community, for their continued love and support over the past 11 years.
Fans react on Jihyo’s departure
Jihyo’s announcement sparked mixed reactions on social media, with some fans supporting her decision to go independent while others expressed concerns about her future career.
In a post on X, one user doubted Jihyo’s success outside JYP Entertainment, claiming that she lacked industry connections.
Meanwhile, another user defended the singer, pointing to her talent, experience and financial independence as reasons she could succeed in managing her own career.
Jihyo is the third TWICE member reported to have left JYP Entertainment, following Jeongyeon and Chaeyoung.
All three remain members of the group.
READ NEXT: Darren Criss reunites with ‘Glee’ co-star Chris Colfer at London concert
