Shocking shake-up: Just one year after debut, VVS is overhauling everything. Two members have left, and the group is breaking away from its previous exclusive-contract system to relaunch as independent artists.
On June 21, VVS dropped a video titled 'Independence Day' on its official YouTube channel. In the video, members Britney, Lana, Rena, and Riwon sit together in a conference room and talk in a podcast-style format. Paul Brian Thompson, the producer who planned VVS, joined via video call from California, USA.
Thompson first addressed changes on his end. "There's a lot to share today. Some of it may be heavy and might disappoint fans," he began, before revealing, "The first thing is that I've retired." He added, "I've worked as a K-pop producer for over 10 years and continued making music while developing VVS, but I decided I couldn't keep doing it. I already stepped back last year from MZMC's development, distribution, and music production."
The bigger shift concerns how VVS will operate. Thompson announced, "The VVS members are stepping away from the traditional exclusive-contract model to work as independent artists." He explained, "To broaden VVS's potential and hit better goals, staying only within the conventional Korean music system didn't feel right."
Still, this doesn't mean VVS is abandoning K-pop. "VVS is still a K-pop group," Thompson said, "but I didn't think the existing K-pop ecosystem was the best fit for them. I wanted to see them expand further."
To make that happen, Thompson said he cleared all prior contracts and debts for the members. "I released VVS from all contracts. They have no debt and no fixed contract term," he said. "I'm no longer their head, but that doesn't mean I'm abandoning VVS. From here on, we'll function more like partners—I'll help with producing, vision, and setting goals."
Member changes were also made official. Aili, who did not appear in the video, left the team after deciding she did not want to continue under the new structure. Thompson explained, "I think worries about having to leave Korea and the pressure of going independent may have influenced her decision."
Meanwhile, the previously rumored departure of Jiwoo was formally confirmed. "It felt different from Jiwoo's case," Thompson said. "Jiwoo wanted to sing, but it seemed she wanted to avoid idol life. So she left the team."
VVS debuted in April last year with the single 'TEA.' The group drew attention as they were created by producer Paul Brian Thompson, known for working with RIIZE, Taeyeon, EXO, and NCT.