Twice's Jihyo leaves JYP after 21 years, founds agency Emithaus; stays in Twice
In short
Jihyo, a member of the group Twice, said on 21 October in a handwritten letter on social media that she is ending her 21-year journey with JYP Entertainment and has founded a new agency, Emithaus (EMITHAUS). She said the move does not mean leaving the group, and Yonhap reported she will continue both solo music work and Twice activities.
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Jihyo, a member of the group Twice, announced on 21 October that she is ending her journey with JYP Entertainment and has founded a new agency, Emithaus (이밋하우스, EMITHAUS). She did so in a handwritten letter posted on social media, which Maeil Business and Korea Economic Daily said was on Instagram. Chosun Ilbo reported the post went up at noon. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 5 , 10 ]
In the letter she wrote that she was concluding "21 years with JYP since childhood", thanked JYP staff and said that both good and bad days had made her who she is. She described independence as "closer to a choice about how to live the time ahead than a conclusion to the time that has passed", and said she wants to freely develop possibilities of hers that she has not yet discovered. She added that, having left a familiar environment, she would approach her choices and activities with more care and responsibility. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 7 , 8 , 10 ]
She said the decision does not mean leaving Twice. According to the quoted letter, she called the group an indispensable part of her life and said she wants to keep standing on stage with the members and building time together. She also thanked fans, known as ONCE. Yonhap reported that she will continue both solo music work and Twice activities. [ 1 , 2 , 5 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 ]
The company name is based on the English word EMIT, which the letter glosses as meaning to give off. Hankook Ilbo, Newsis and CBS NoCut News said Emithaus describes itself as aiming to extend artists' individuality and creative potential through music and varied content. Hankook Ilbo, Newsis and Asia Economy reported that it plans to begin with Jihyo and later scout and sign other artists. Several outlets call it a one-person agency, while Newsis calls it an independent label and a new corporate entity. A Chosun Ilbo summary says she ended her exclusive contract with JYP. [ 2 , 3 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 ]
Hankook Ilbo and Asia Economy said Jihyo trained for about ten years at JYP before debuting with Twice in 2015, and Newsis and Asia Economy said she joined in 2005. Chosun Ilbo and Asia Economy said she released her first solo album, ZONE, in 2023. [ 2 , 3 , 7 , 9 ]
Hankook Ilbo and Newsis reported that all Twice members re-signed with JYP in 2022 and that the group has recently reached a renewal stage. Both said Jeongyeon had earlier moved to Baro Entertainment. Hankook Ilbo said Chaeyoung had set up a personal label, while Newsis said she had announced an independent project called LIL FANTASY. Chosun Ilbo noted that the news came just after Twice's 11th debut anniversary on 20 October. [ 2 , 3 , 7 ]
Why it matters
Outlets describe the move as part of a wider shift in Twice, noting that Jeongyeon moved to another agency and Chaeyoung started her own label or project earlier. The documents do not say how this affects the group's schedule or contracts.
Key facts
- Jihyo announced on 21 October, through a handwritten letter on social media, that she was concluding her 21 years with JYP Entertainment. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 7 , 8 , 10 ]
- She said she had founded a new company, Emithaus (이밋하우스, EMITHAUS). [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 5 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 ]
- She wrote that the decision does not mean leaving Twice, and that she wants to keep standing on stage with the other members. [ 2 , 3 , 5 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 ]
- Yonhap reported that Jihyo will continue solo music activity as well as Twice activities. [ 1 ]
- Emithaus plans to start with Jihyo's activities and later expand by scouting and signing other artists. [ 2 , 7 , 9 ]
- Several outlets call the new company a one-person agency. [ 3 , 6 , 8 , 9 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Jihyo left JYP Entertainment and set up the new company Emithaus, announcing it in a handwritten letter on 21 October. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 5 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 ]
- Jihyo said her choice does not mean parting from Twice, which she called an indispensable part of her life. [ 2 , 3 , 5 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 ]
- The name comes from the English word EMIT, which Jihyo's letter glosses as meaning to give off. [ 3 , 5 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 ]
- Emithaus plans to add other artists in future. [ 2 , 7 , 9 ]
Still unclear
- Whether Jihyo's exclusive contract with JYP was formally terminated. Only one Chosun Ilbo summary says she ended her exclusive contract; other documents say only that she left or concluded her journey with JYP.
- JYP Entertainment's response and how Jihyo's Twice activities will be handled between the two companies. None of the documents quotes JYP or describes the arrangements.
- Whether the other Twice members will renew with JYP. Two outlets say the group has reached a second renewal period, but none reports any decision.