Despite being under a separate agency, Naeun’s latest participation in a group welcome video assures fans that she hasn’t left Apink.
Apink is a well-known K-pop girl group that began in 2011 and is still active today. However, the six-member group struck a snag when Naeun’s contract with their agency, Play M Entertainment, was not renewed.
All of the members except her re-signed when their contracts ended in April 2021. The K-pop sensation is now concentrating on her acting career and has joined YG Entertainment as an actor.
Naeun is still a member of Apink
However, it was confirmed in her statement that Naeun is still a member of Apink. Like VIXX’s Ravi and Block B’s Zico, several idols have left their agency while still staying in the group.
Fans were ecstatic about Naeun as she pursued her acting profession. However, they didn’t anticipate that Play M would leave her out of many of the group’s schedules.
This led to many antis claiming that although Naeun was listed as a member of the organization on paper, she had really departed.
Apink hasn’t made a meaningful return since Naeun was still a member of the agency in 2020. In April 2021, all six members appeared in the music video for Thank You, which commemorated the girls’ tenth anniversary.
Naeun beating 'left apink' allegations today. the world is healing pic.twitter.com/9qZuePTZ7B
— Lara (@apinkeunjeep) September 20, 2021
A relief to the Pink Pandas
But it was only a few days before Naeun’s contract came to an end. Play M hasn’t invited her to any group gatherings since then. During Bomi’s birthday festivities in August, she was noticeably absent.
Bomi subsequently stated that Naeun couldn’t attend since the schedule was Play M’s, not Apink’s, which relieved Pink Pandas (Apink’s fanbase).
However, Naeun was again left out of the group’s new headshots and subsequent promotional videos, leading fans to question why Play M treated her as if she wasn’t a member of the group.
Other group members who are no longer affiliated with the same agency are nevertheless promoted during group events, such as JYPE’s recent return, which included Taecyeon. And Pandas anticipated Play M to do the same for Naeun.
Image courtesy of Yeoshin Son/YouTube