OH MY GIRL's Contract Renewal Shakes K-pop: 4 Members Stay, YooA & Arin Embark on New Paths While Promising to Continue as a Group

A Decade of Harmony: OH MY GIRL Reaches Critical Contract Renewal Milestone

In a significant development that has captured the attention of K-pop fans worldwide, girl group OH MY GIRL has reached a pivotal moment in their career with their latest contract renewal announcement. On May 8, 2025, WM Entertainment officially confirmed that four members-Hyojung, Mimi, Seunghee, and Yubin-have renewed their contracts with the agency, while YooA and Arin have chosen to part ways with the company but will continue to participate in group activities.

This announcement comes as OH MY GIRL celebrates their remarkable 10-year anniversary in the industry, a milestone that relatively few K-pop groups manage to reach. The contract renewal marks the second time these four members have chosen to continue with WM Entertainment, following their first renewal in 2022, demonstrating the strong relationship they've built with the agency over the past decade.

"Based on the deep trust we have built, Hyojung, Mimi, Seunghee and Yubin decided to renew their contracts with us following the first renewal of contract in 2022," stated WM Entertainment in their official announcement. "We are very pleased to continue the special relationship we have built with OH MY GIRL members and thank them for their meaningful decision."

The Evolution of OH MY GIRL: From Debut to Present

OH MY GIRL debuted on April 21, 2015, initially as an eight-member group with their first mini-album titled 'OH MY GIRL.' Throughout their career, they've undergone several lineup changes, with JinE departing in 2017 due to health concerns and Jiho leaving in 2022 after the group's first contract renewal.

Over the past decade, OH MY GIRL has built an impressive discography that showcases their versatile musical style. They've released numerous hits including "Closer" (2015), "Liar Liar" (2016), "Windy Day" (2016), "Secret Garden" (2018), "Remember Me" (2018), "SSFWL" (2019), and "Bungee (Fall In Love)" (2019). The group has been particularly praised for their refreshing concepts and distinctive musical identity.

In 2018, members Arin, Yubin, and Hyojung formed the subunit OH MY GIRL Banhana and released the comedic track "Banana Allergy Monkey," which showcased their playful side. More recently, the group has continued to evolve their sound with hits like "Dolphin" and "Dumb Dance," which have further cemented their position in the competitive K-pop landscape.

YooA and Arin: New Beginnings While Honoring Their Roots

The decision of YooA and Arin to not renew their contracts with WM Entertainment while continuing as OH MY GIRL members represents an increasingly common trend in the K-pop industry. This arrangement allows established idols to pursue individual opportunities while maintaining their connection to the groups that launched their careers.

Following the announcement, YooA took to Instagram to share her thoughts through a heartfelt handwritten letter to fans. She reassured Miracles (OH MY GIRL's fandom) of her commitment to the group, writing, "I will continue to do my very best for OH MY GIRL for the next 10, 20 years. I'm very much with you in your wish to protect the team that is OH MY GIRL, and I assure you that I will do all I can to protect it."

YooA also revealed her plans to pursue acting as the next step in her solo career, stating, "I will work hard so that I can be your pride and not your embarrassment, bearing the title of 'actress' before my name, so please support and love me as you do. While continuing my activities as a member of OH MY GIRL with WM Entertainment, I will begin my individual activities as actress YooA with a new agency. I'm both excited and anxious at the opportunity to show you a new side of me."

While Arin hasn't made a public statement yet, fans are speculating that she may also pursue acting opportunities, especially considering her previous role in "Alchemy of Souls" where she was praised for her visual presence.

The New K-pop Paradigm: Split Contracts and Continued Group Activities

OH MY GIRL joins a growing list of established K-pop groups that have adopted a split contract model, where some members remain with the original agency while others sign with different companies for individual activities, yet all continue to participate in group promotions. This approach has been successfully implemented by groups like Mamamoo, Dreamcatcher, SHINee, Monsta X, WJSN, and more recently, Red Velvet.

This trend represents a maturing of the K-pop industry, acknowledging that after many years together, members may have different career aspirations that can be better supported by specialized agencies. It also reflects the industry's recognition of the value of maintaining established groups even as members pursue diverse individual paths.

For fans, this arrangement offers the best of both worlds-continued group activities with all members while also getting to see their favorite idols explore new facets of their talents. The model potentially allows for greater longevity of beloved groups beyond the traditional contract periods.

As one fan commented on social media, "I'm not entirely concerned about this situation. Their comebacks occur annually already, and both YooA and Arin are known for honoring their commitments. If they genuinely aim for yearly releases, it probably won't pose a significant issue."

Fan Reactions: Mixed Emotions and Hopeful Expectations

The announcement has generated a wide range of reactions from OH MY GIRL's dedicated fanbase. While some fans expressed initial concern about the future of the group, many have embraced the news with optimism, viewing it as the most favorable outcome possible when members decide not to renew with their original agency.

On platforms like Reddit, fans have shared their thoughts about this development. One fan noted, "I'm not surprised that YooA and Arin emerged as the most favored members, especially since they show a keen interest in pursuing solo endeavors. I really hope we can see some unit activities while YooA and Arin are busy with their individual promotions, similar to what Dreamcatcher has been doing."

Another fan expressed their emotional connection to the group: "I will forever appreciate OH MY GIRL for making K-Pop resonate with me back in February 2020. Their songs have accompanied me through some truly memorable experiences. The first time I listened to 'Closer,' it felt enchanting. Now, I can't shake a sense of melancholy, reminiscent of when Jiho departed from the group. It feels like we're closing a chapter, even though I'm genuinely thrilled for the members and everything they've achieved over the last decade."

Many fans have also expressed excitement about potential solo activities from all members, with one commenting, "I really hope Yubin eventually launches her solo career; I've been anticipating it for ages!"

Looking Ahead: The Future of OH MY GIRL

As OH MY GIRL enters this new chapter, several questions arise about how their activities will be coordinated moving forward. With YooA and Arin under different management for their individual activities, scheduling group comebacks and promotions will require careful coordination between agencies.

WM Entertainment has assured fans that they "will spare no effort in providing full support not only for the group's activities but also for the individual endeavors of the members who have renewed their contracts so that they may shine even brighter."

The timing of this announcement is particularly significant as it coincides with WM Entertainment's preparations to debut their next girl group, USPEER. As noted by a fan, "Right now they're starting the promotions for WM's next group (7 members!), USPEER. Hyojung is like the MC and introduced them in the first episode of the RUN UP! show." This suggests that WM Entertainment is planning for a smooth transition while continuing to support OH MY GIRL.

Despite the changes, fans remain hopeful about OH MY GIRL's future. The group recently celebrated their 10th anniversary with a concert titled 'Milky Way' at the Olympic Hall in Seoul's Songpa District, demonstrating their enduring popularity and connection with fans.

As OH MY GIRL embarks on this new journey, they join the ranks of legendary K-pop groups that have successfully navigated the challenging waters of second contract renewals and beyond. Their decision to continue as a group despite being under different agencies speaks volumes about their commitment to each other and to the fans who have supported them throughout their decade-long journey.