TWICE’s Jihyo leaves JYP after 21 years, launches own agency

Published October 21, 2026 09:56

Nigora Umarova

Nigora Umarova

International Department Journalist n.umarova@kursiv.media
TWICE’s Jihyo leaves JYP after 21 years, launches own agency
Photo: HallyuSG

TWICE leader Jihyo has left JYP Entertainment after 21 years and established her own agency, EMITHAUS, marking a new stage in her solo career while continuing activities with the K-pop group.

The singer announced the move in a handwritten letter posted on Instagram on October 21. Jihyo joined JYP as a child and spent most of her childhood, teenage years and adult life at the company before debuting with TWICE in 2015.

«After 21 years, my journey with JYP Entertainment, which began when I was just a child, has come to an end,» she wrote.

Read more: TWICE member Tzuyu considers leaving JYP Entertainment after 11 years

Jihyo described the decision to become independent as a choice about how she wants to approach the next stage of her career rather than simply an ending.

She said she created EMITHAUS as the first step in that process. The name takes inspiration from the word «emit», meaning to express or release, and the company is intended to give her greater freedom to explore new creative possibilities.

Will Jihyo continue performing with TWICE?

Jihyo stressed that leaving JYP does not mean leaving TWICE.

«TWICE is an irreplaceable part of my life,» she wrote, adding that she plans to continue performing with the other members and making new memories with the group.

She becomes the third TWICE member to leave JYP Entertainment, following Jeongyeon and Chaeyoung. Jeongyeon departed in August and signed with VARO Entertainment, while Chaeyoung also announced her exit from JYP that month. Both said they would continue their TWICE activities.

Read more: TWICE’s Sana to make acting debut with Takeru Satoh

Jihyo debuted as a solo artist in 2023 with the EP «ZONE», led by the single «Killin’ Me Good».

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