K-pop girl group GFriend to part ways with label Source Music

After six years, the six-member K-pop girl group GFriend – consisting of Sowon, Yerin, Eunha, Yuju, SinB, and Umji – have decided not to renew their contracts with their agency Source Music.

On May 18, Source Music announced that their exclusive contract with the K-pop girl group ends on May 22.

The company wrote: “After careful consideration and extensive discussion, GFriend and Source Music have come to an agreement to follow separate paths to continued growth.”

While the members will be leaving their agency, there is no news of GFriend’s disbandment as of now. Both the label and the members have not shared any additional statements on their future plans.

However, fans hope that the girl group will leave their entertainment agency without disbanding, just like K-pop boy group GOT7.

In a statement, Source Music wrote: “We would like to express our sincere and heartfelt gratitude to GFriend who has allowed Source Music to accompany them on their journey.

“We would like to deeply thank all BUDDY (GFriend’s fandom name) and fans who have shown your love for GFriend, and we ask that you give your unchanging love and support to the members who will begin their adventures in new and diverse areas.”

Debuting in 2015, GFriend has released many hits like LOVE WHISPER and MAGO. During the span of their career, they won “Best Female Group” at the Golden Disc Awards for two consecutive years as well as “Best Korean Act” at the MTV Europe Music Awards in 2015 and 2017.

The girl group was Source Music’s only group, and their popularity helped pull the company out of bankruptcy. The entertainment label then joined HYBE Labels in 2019.

Among the artists signed under HYBE, GFriend’s contract is the first to expire, and Source Music and HYBE are said to be launching a new girl group this year.