6 K-pop groups who stayed together after leaving their agencies: Got7, 2PM, Girls’ Generation, Mamamoo, Apink and Highlight all made comebacks with their OG members

Jun 15 , 2022

Got7’s members all left JYP Entertainment and signed with different companies, but made it work with a comeback together, while 2PM had a temporary hiatus due to military service

Mamamoo’s Wheein left but still does promo activities with the group; meanwhile, Apink’s Naeun stayed on but finally quit for good because of her busy schedule

Fans of K-pop groups, even if they have favourite members, will always love the group as a whole first. That means if or when any members leave the group’s agency, it’s always an upsetting and anxiety-inducing occasion. But, in some fortunate cases, some or all members may leave the group’s agency, but still remain together – which is obviously good news for fans.

So which groups stayed together even after members left the group’s original agency?

1. Got7

Got7 recently made a comeback in May. Photo: @GOT7/Twitter

When all of Got7 members left JYP Entertainment at the beginning of 2021, it was a shock for many as there were no signs that hinted at this outcome. Fans were devastated and, even as each member left for different agencies, they remained firm in their belief that the group would eventually reunite.

Got7 split from its original agency in 2021, with each member signing to a new agency. Photo: Getty Images

It seems their faith paid off: in May, the group made a comeback with all seven members present – something extremely rare for a group whose members are all in different companies.

All Got7 members managed to make a comeback as a whole. Photo: @ahgaenen/Instagram

Despite over a year of radio silence with all members focusing on their solo activities, the group still managed to make a comeback as a whole with a bang, delighting all of their fans.

2. Girls’ Generation

Girls’ Generation recently announced its first group comeback in five years. Photo: Twitter

Since the legendary girl group’s last comeback in 2017, three members have left SM Entertainment and everyone has been busy with solo activities: acting, solo releases, even debuting anew in groups like Got the Beat. There was no mention of any group activities, and this obviously stirred speculation of its possible disbandment.

SNSD will greet viewers with a solo reality programme broadcast on JTBC first before its official comeback. Photo: @heni__lim95/Instagram