As TWICE enters its second round of contract talks, all eyes are on what the nine members will do next. Recent reports fueled speculation that Jihyo, Tzuyu, Jeongyeon, and Chaeyoung could change agencies, but insiders caution against reading this as an immediate crisis for full-group activities. Many see a realistic path where members pursue solo careers independently while keeping group promotions with the current label — the so-called "together, yet apart" model.
On the 14th, JoyNews24 reported that leader Jihyo plans to leave JYP Entertainment to set up a one-person agency. Jihyo trained at JYP for about 10 years before debut, and if you include her TWICE years, she has spent more than two decades with the company. Given that history, even the possibility of a split drew massive attention.
JYP told multiple outlets, "TWICE is currently in renewal discussions," adding, "We will share updates once decisions are finalized." While Jihyo has not decided on her personal contract, observers say TWICE could still carry out group activities under JYP Entertainment even if individual agency affiliations change.
Before Jihyo, other members also made headlines over their next steps. Local media in Taiwan claimed Tzuyu might move her individual activities to a company reportedly established by her parents. Her uptick in solo ads and events in Taiwan bolstered talk of a more independent route. However, neither Tzuyu nor JYP Entertainment has officially confirmed anything.
Reports also claimed Chaeyoung has met with other labels for solo work, and Jeongyeon allegedly held a meeting with the agency where her older sister, actress Gong Seung-yeon, is signed. Officially, all parties maintain they are discussing renewals, but with four names surfacing in quick succession, industry chatter is growing that TWICE’s contract framework could look different this time.
That said, the era when a new solo agency automatically meant a member’s exit or a group’s disbandment is over. In today’s K-pop scene, it is increasingly common for members to run solo careers under different companies while keeping the group alive. They secure independence for acting, solo music, or variety shows, then regroup for full-album releases or tours when needed.
For long-running groups in particular, it is tough to align every member’s personal goals, schedules, and musical directions under one agency. In the past, exclusive contracts expiring often meant the end of group promotions. Now, the industry trend separates contract status from a group’s survival.
TWICE, too, may choose to preserve the group’s longevity not by repeating the "all nine renew together" formula, but by expanding each member’s solo lanes while keeping the team intact.
Debuting in 2015 with 'Like OOH-AHH' ('OOH-AHH하게'), TWICE rose to K-pop’s top tier with hits like 'CHEER UP,' 'TT,' 'FANCY,' and 'What Is Love?'. In 2022, all members renewed with JYP Entertainment, surpassing the so-called seven-year curse.
Perhaps most importantly, TWICE has reached its 11th year without a single member leaving — one of the group’s greatest strengths. Throughout their long run, they have maintained a relentless pace of Korean and global releases and world tours, all while balancing individual schedules without losing their group center.
Even if members sign with different agencies, one workable option is for JYP Entertainment to remain the central coordinator for TWICE’s albums, tours, and global strategies. The structure would prioritize full-group activities during set periods, while giving members room to pursue their own fields the rest of the time.
Seen this way, any change is less a split and more an expansion of TWICE’s activity spectrum. Staying under one roof is not the only way to protect the team; maintaining independence while returning for full-group promotions could actually support longer, healthier careers.
Whether all members ultimately remain with JYP Entertainment or some choose new paths for solo work is still undecided. But a different set of contracts does not erase 11 years of bonds — or the name of a nine-member team millions love.
Standing at the crossroads of a second renewal, TWICE now faces a pivotal choice: repeat the familiar "everyone stays" route, or unveil a new model of independence and full-group promotions — a true "together, yet apart" era that could rewrite K-pop norms.