The group NU’EST has ended its exclusive contract with the agency it has been working with for 10 years.
The members expressed their gratitude to their fans through handwritten letters and officially announced their “parting” by acknowledging the disbandment.
NU’EST‘s agency Pledis said on February 28th, “NU’EST’s exclusive contract will end on March 14th. We thought and talked about the future of NU’EST and each member for a long time with them. We discussed for a long time what the best direction is for both the group and the members and how to show better performance,” announcing the end of the exclusive contract.
The agency said, “JR, Aron, and Ren decided to leave the company after careful consideration and start a new path. Baekho and Minhyun renew their contracts with our company. As the decision was made after everyone contemplated and discussed it together, we respect and support all the members’ choices,” signaling that the members have gone their own way.
“With the album released in March, the members will wrap up their official activities with us as NU’EST, a member of Pledis Entertainment,” the company explained.
Although the agency did not mention NU’EST‘s disbandment, the members informed fans that it disbanded through handwritten letters.
Leader JR said, “After a long time of thinking and considering, I decided to go my own way,” adding, “I’m still scared and confused to stand alone. (However) I try to build it up one by one with good and sincerity as I have done so far. I will come to you with good news when spring snow blooms and pleasant winds begin to blow.“
Aron said, “There were many times of difficulties over the past 10 years that I wanted to give up, but thanks to our L.O.Λ.E next to me, I was able to overcome them. Thanks to you, I felt, received, and learned a lot of love, gratitude, and preciousness. I’m really grateful,” he added “I’m very afraid and scared to do it alone in the future, but don’t be too sad because we’ll continue to be together.” He went on to say, “I will work hard to repay you as much as I have been loved over the past 10 years, so I would appreciate it if you could walk with me in the future. I hope you will continue to support and love NU’EST members who will continue to shine in the future as well,” he added.
Baekho said, “I will continue to take a step forward and work so that we can laugh, cry, and share a lot of emotions together. And I love our NU’EST members.”
Minhyun said, “Both me and the members have decided to take a new start,” adding, “We will repay your love by faithfully continuing our work for a long time in the future. Lastly, I hope that all of the NU’EST members – my close friend and family – will walk together so that our future can be brilliant,” he said.
Ren said, “I’m sorry to tell this news to L.O.Λ.E who must have been waiting for the renewal of our contract,” adding, “As we’ve been together for a long time, this decision wasn’t easy, but now I’m going to leave NU’EST and walk in a slightly different direction. It’s not the road I’ve been walking on, which is why I’m a little scared and careful, but I’m trying to walk with courage. I’m also a little unfamiliar with what kind of path will come out in the future, but I’m going to take the courage and walk like how I’ve always been. I will continue to walk forward confidently without forgetting this feeling,” he said.
“I’m always grateful for all the time I’ve been living as NU’EST Ren,” he added, expressing his affection for his team.
NU’EST, who debuted in the music industry on March 15, 2012, has shown a colorful spectrum, including “Hello” with lyrical sensibility, “Overcome,” “Love Paint,” “BET BET” which was a trilogy of distinctive worldview, “LOVE ME” with sophisticated and sweet charms, and “I’m in Trouble” which showcased their dreamy and sexy charm.
The group received great attention through Mnet’s “Produce 101” season 2 in 2017. Except for Minhyun who worked as a member of the project group Wanna One, the remaining members continued their popularity as NU’EST W, and after the end of Wanna One‘s activities, they returned as a five-member group but ended their team activities 10 years after their debut.
