Jung Eun-ji's Shocking Move: Leaves IST After 14 Years to Join Billions Entertainment While Continuing with Apink

Jung Eun-ji Makes a Bold Career Move by Signing with Billions Entertainment

In a surprising development that has captured the attention of the Korean entertainment industry, Jung Eun-ji, the talented main vocalist of girl group Apink and accomplished actress, has officially signed an exclusive contract with Billions Entertainment. On May 2, 2025, Billions Entertainment announced the exciting news, marking a significant turning point in Jung's career after spending 14 years with her previous agency, IST Entertainment.

The announcement has generated considerable buzz among fans and industry insiders alike, as Jung Eun-ji has been a prominent figure in both the music and acting scenes since her debut with Apink in 2011. Billions Entertainment expressed their enthusiasm about the new partnership, stating, "Having established a unique domain as a versatile entertainer active in various fields such as music, acting, and entertainment, we will provide comprehensive support to ensure that she can continue her wide range of activities in the future."

This career move places Jung Eun-ji in the same agency as several respected actors, including Son Hyun-joo, Choi Moo-sung, Ko Chang-seok, Heo Sung-tae, Kim Ha-neul, and notably, Lee Joon-young, her current co-star in KBS2's drama "24-Hour Health Club."

The Journey from IST to Billions: Why the Change?

Jung Eun-ji's departure from IST Entertainment (formerly Play M and Plan A Entertainment) marks the end of a 14-year relationship that began with her debut in 2011. IST Entertainment confirmed the news through their official social media channels, stating that their exclusive contract with Jung had recently concluded. The agency expressed their sincere support for Jung's new beginning, saying, "We will sincerely cheer on Jung Eun-ji's future and brilliant career ahead of her new start."

While the specific reasons for Jung's decision to change agencies haven't been explicitly stated, industry observers note that this move might represent her desire to focus more on expanding her acting career. Billions Entertainment is known for its strong roster of established actors, which could provide Jung with more diverse acting opportunities and industry connections.

Fans have shown mixed reactions to the news on various Korean community platforms. While many express support for her new journey, others have voiced concerns about how this might affect her activities with Apink. However, it's worth noting that Jung has confirmed she will continue her activities with Apink despite the agency change, reassuring fans of her commitment to the group that launched her career.

Jung Eun-ji's Impressive Career: From Idol to Multi-talented Entertainer

Since her debut as Apink's main vocalist in 2011, Jung Eun-ji has built an impressive career that spans music, acting, and variety shows. Her powerful vocals have been a defining characteristic of Apink's sound, contributing significantly to hits like "NoNoNo," "Mr. Chu," and "Dumhdurum."

Jung's acting breakthrough came in 2012 when she starred in the nostalgic drama "Reply 1997," where her natural acting abilities earned her widespread acclaim. Her performance was so impressive that she won the Best New Actress award at the prestigious 49th Baeksang Arts Awards, a remarkable achievement for an idol-turned-actress.

Following this success, Jung continued to showcase her versatility through roles in various dramas, including "That Winter, the Wind Blows," "Uncontrollably Fond," "Work Later, Drink Now" (also known as "City of Alcohol"), and "The Woman Who Sees the Light" (also known as "Day and Night Are Different for Her"). Each project has demonstrated her ability to portray diverse characters across different genres, solidifying her reputation as a serious actress beyond her idol status.

Currently, Jung is captivating audiences with her role as Miran, a fitness beginner in KBS2's new Wednesday-Thursday drama "24-Hour Health Club," where she stars alongside her new agency mate Lee Joon-young.

The Significance of Joining Billions Entertainment

Jung Eun-ji's decision to join Billions Entertainment represents a strategic career move that could significantly impact her future trajectory in the entertainment industry. Billions Entertainment, while not as large as some of the major K-pop agencies, has built a reputation for housing respected actors with substantial careers.

By joining an agency that specializes more in acting management, Jung appears to be positioning herself for a stronger focus on her acting career while maintaining her musical activities. The agency's roster includes veteran actor Son Hyun-joo, known for his roles in numerous successful dramas and films, as well as other established actors like Choi Moo-sung, Ko Chang-seok, Heo Sung-tae, and Kim Ha-neul.

Perhaps most interestingly, Jung will now be agency mates with Lee Joon-young, her current co-star in "24-Hour Health Club." This coincidence has sparked additional interest among fans, with some speculating that her positive experience working with Lee might have influenced her decision to join Billions.

Industry experts note that this move could potentially open doors to more diverse acting projects for Jung, including films and more varied drama roles, as Billions has strong connections within the Korean film and television industry.

Fan Reactions and Community Response

The news of Jung Eun-ji's agency change has generated significant discussion across Korean online communities. On platforms like Naver, Daum, and various fan forums, reactions have been mixed but predominantly supportive.

Many fans have expressed excitement about this new chapter in Jung's career, viewing it as a positive step toward expanding her acting portfolio. Comments like "She deserves this opportunity to grow even more as an actress" and "Billions is known for taking good care of their actors" reflect the optimistic outlook many fans share.

However, some Apink fans (known as Pink Pandas) initially expressed concern about what this means for the group's future activities. These worries were somewhat alleviated when Jung confirmed that she would continue her activities with Apink despite changing agencies. This practice is not uncommon in the K-pop industry, with several idols maintaining group activities while being represented by different individual agencies.

Korean entertainment news sites have reported that the response ratio is approximately 70% positive to 30% concerned or neutral, indicating that most fans are supportive of Jung's decision while naturally having some questions about how her dual commitments will be managed going forward.

What This Means for Apink and Jung's Future Activities

Despite changing agencies, Jung Eun-ji has made it clear that she will continue to be part of Apink, the group that launched her to stardom. This arrangement, while not the most common, has precedents in the K-pop industry where members of the same group are sometimes managed by different agencies for their individual activities while coming together for group promotions.

For Apink, which debuted in 2011 and has maintained a remarkably stable lineup over the years, Jung's continued commitment is significant. The group has evolved into a more mature concept in recent years while maintaining their popularity, and Jung's distinctive vocals remain a crucial part of their sound.

As for her individual activities, joining Billions Entertainment suggests we might see Jung taking on more diverse acting roles in the future. The agency's connections could potentially lead to opportunities in films or international productions, areas that Jung hasn't extensively explored yet.

Her current drama "24-Hour Health Club" is already benefiting from the buzz around her agency news, with increased interest in the show following the announcement. In the drama, Jung plays Miran, a fitness beginner who brings a refreshing energy to the story – a character that showcases her natural charm and comedic timing.

Music fans need not worry, as Jung has consistently balanced her acting and singing careers throughout the years. She has released several successful solo tracks, including "Hopefully Sky" and "AWay," and there's no indication that her solo music career will slow down under the new agency.