K-pop girl group Gugudan have disbanded after four years in show business, their agency announced on Dec. 30.
Gugudan debuted in 2016 with nine members: Sejeong, Sally, Mina, Mimi, Haebin, Hana, Nayoung, Soyee and Hyeyeon. Sejeong and Mina were winners of the survival audition TV show “Produce 101” and were part of the project group I.O.I.
They made their debut in June 2016 with the album “Act. 1 The Little Mermaid.” In 2018, Hyeyeon left Gugudan.
In a statement, Gugudan’s agency, Jellyfish Entertainment, announced the group’s disbandment.
“First, we would like to thank fans who have sent their love and support to Gugudan. We are writing this announcement to inform you of our official position regarding Gugudan's future group activities,” the agency said, according to SBS News.
It added, “Gugudan members, who have been working hard and have been well loved since their debut, will be ending official group activities on December 31. We have agreed to end the group activities after a series of long and in-depth discussions between the company and the artists.”
“Although the group activities will be over, we will do our best to provide our full support to the members' personal activities including music and acting. Thank you again for your warm support for Gugudan, and we would like to sincerely apologize to fans for the sudden news. Please continue to send your love and support to the members who will be embarking on their new paths,” Jellyfish said.
It’s been a little over two years since Gugudan made their comeback with the album “Act. 5 New Action.”
Korean media reported that there were signs that the group was in trouble. Sejeong was a guest on the reality TV show “I Live Alone” in March and revealed that it had been three months since she left Gugudan’s dorm. When the TV show member Kian84 asked her if she had a fight with other Gugudan members, she said, “No.”
In an interview with Chinese media in May, Sally said in 2019, their agency told the members to leave their dorm and go home. Although members wanted to stay in the dorm, they could not do anything and ended up leaving.