Multiple 4th generation K-pop groups are facing a trend where members leave the group or cease activities within just 1 or 2 years, or even mere months after their debut. Some even exit before their official debut.

While not entirely new, this sudden trend has emerged in multiple instances over the past few years. Previously, from the 1st to the 3rd generation of K-pop, most groups only encountered member departures due to unforeseen circumstances. 

Typically, debut lineups would remain unchanged for around 7 years (until contract renewals). However, the phenomenon of abrupt departures shortly after or a few years into debut, often accompanied by controversies forcing exits, is becoming more prevalent.

Moreover, contestants who won on survival shows and secured debut spots sometimes surprisingly gave up their positions. This was a rarity in the past.

For instance:

le sserafim
LE SSERAFLIM (6->5): Kim Garam left the group just 2 months after debut due to bullying accusations.
Stray Kids
STRAY KIDS (9->8): Kim Woojin departed over a year post-debut due to sexual harassment allegations.
(g)i-dle
(G)I-DLE (6->5): Soojin exited nearly 3 years after debut due to bullying allegations.
riize
RIIZE (7->6): Seunghan went on hiatus almost 1 year post-debut due to controversies over private life.  
treasure
Treasure (12->10): After 2 years, Bang Yedam left to focus on music production. Mashiho exited due to health issues.
nmixx
NMIXX (7->6): Jinni left the group after 1 year of debut due to personal issues and different directions.
nctwish
NCT WISH (7->6): Lim Jungmin won on “NCT: Lastart” but chose to withdraw from the debut lineup due to health issues.
i'll it
I’LL-IT (6->5): Lee Youngseo won 2nd place on “R U Next?” but decided to withdraw from the debut lineup for personal reasons.
LOONA Chuu thumbnail
LOONA (12->5): ???
AB6IX
AB6IX (5->4): Lim Youngmin left the group after a year of debut due to a drunk driving scandal.
Fantasy Boys
FANTASY BOYS (12->11->10): Yu Jungwon won 1st place on the survival show of the same name but shortly after chose to withdraw from the debut lineup due to not receiving proper treatment as a 1st place winner.  Less than a year after debut, K-Soul suspended activities indefinitely due to family financial difficulties.
weeekly
WEEEKLY (7->6): Shin Jiyoon left the group after 2 years of debut due to health issues.
Trainee A
TRAINEE A (7->6): This project had planned and finalized the lineup and trainees for debut, but Leo decided to withdraw from the debut lineup due to pressure and anxiety.
oneus
ONEUS (6->5): Ravn left the group after 3 years of debut due to a dating controversy.
Cherry Bullet
CHERRY BULLET (10->7): Less than a year after debut, 3 members Mirae, Kokoro, and Linlin unexpectedly terminated their contracts and left the group, the company did not specify the reason.
wooah
WOO! AH! (6->5): Park Songyee unexpectedly left the group after 3 months of debut due to personal issues.
H1-KEY
H1-KEY (4->3): Sitala left the group after 4 months of debut due to political controversy – her father supported the dictatorship regime in Thailand.
tempest
TEMPEST (7->6): Most recently, Hwarang’s activities were suspended by the company for “failing to gain trust” due to being spotted at a club while injured. 

Immediately after, the company removed all information about Hwarang from TEMPEST’s profiles on official music sites like Melon, Genie, Bugs, and even the largest search engine in Korea, Naver. 

The company also removed Hwarang’s images from the group’s comeback posters. This indicates a high likelihood that Hwarang may be leaving TEMPEST after 2 years.