Every K-Pop Idol That Has Left SM Entertainment In The Last 9 Months

Recently, news of SHINee Taemin‘s departure from SM Entertainment, followed by rumors of Onew‘s, left fans in shock. However, many netizens have noticed that several long-term idols under the label have departed from the label recently, choosing to take their individual activities to another label.

Here are all the idols who departed from the company in the last nine months.

1. SHINee’s Taemin

On March 3, it was reported that Taemin would leave SM Entertainment after sixteen years with the expiration of his contract at the end of March.

So far, there has been no official confirmation of his plans, but the idol will reportedly join BPM Entertainment, home to VIVIZ and other groups.  Like other idols in the same circumstances, Taemin will likely continue his activities with SHINee.

2. Super Junior D&E (Donghae and Eunhyuk)

Super Junior D&E (Donghae and Eunhyuk) left SM following the expiration of their contracts in July 2023.

The idols then created their agency, ODE Entertainment, recruiting a former manager, Won Yong Sun, who previously worked with Super Junior.

3. Super Junior’s Kyuhyun 

Kyuhyun left SM at the same time as Donghae and Eunhyuk but did not establish his own label.

Instead, the idol joined Antenna, home to many artists, including Lee Hyori. Like Donghae and Eunhyuk, Kyuhyun is still a member of Super Junior despite being under another label.

4. Girls’ Generation’s Sunny

Following speculation, Girls’ Generation‘s Sunny confirmed her departure from the company in a letter to fans.

The idol has not publicly announced a new agency but recently returned alongside fellow member Hyoyeon in No Way Home, a camping talk show by JTBC.

5. EXO’s D.O 

Following the release of his second mini album, EXO‘s D.O left SM Entertainment.

Along with the reports of his departure, it was shared that he would join a new company, Company SooSoo, established by his manager, Nam Kyung Soo.

6. EXO CBX (Chen, Baekhyun and Xiumin)

In May 2023, EXO CBX, made up of Chen, Baekhyun, and Xiumin, sued to terminate their contracts with SM, alleging that the company had the members sign slave contracts and were not transparent with their accounting.

The three came to an agreement with the company in June 2023, with Baekhyun establishing his own company, I&B100, in the same month.  The other two members also moved their activities to Baekhyun’s new agency.

Technically, the members are still under exclusive contracts with SM Entertainment, with changes made to allow them to conduct their individual activities elsewhere.