SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA — In a major shake-up for one of K-pop’s most successful girl groups, TWICE leader Park Ji-hyo, professionally known as Jihyo, has officially parted ways with JYP Entertainment after an extraordinary 21-year relationship with the company.
The 29-year-old singer confirmed her departure on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, announcing that she had established her own agency, EMITHAUS, in a move that marks a significant turning point in her career.
But while her decision signals a new era of independence, Jihyo has made one thing clear: leaving JYP Entertainment does not mean leaving TWICE.
Her announcement follows the departures of fellow members Jeongyeon and Chaeyoung, raising new questions about how the nine-member group will manage its future activities as individual members pursue careers outside their longtime agency.
From Eight-Year-Old Trainee to K-Pop Superstar
Jihyo’s relationship with JYP Entertainment began when she was just eight years old.
Unlike many performers who join entertainment agencies shortly before debuting, Jihyo spent approximately a decade training under JYP before finally stepping into the spotlight.
In October 2015, she debuted as the leader and main vocalist of TWICE, joining Nayeon, Jeongyeon, Momo, Sana, Mina, Dahyun, Chaeyoung and Tzuyu.
The group went on to establish itself as one of K-pop’s defining acts, producing internationally recognized hits including “Cheer Up,” “TT,” “What Is Love?,” “Fancy” and “Feel Special.”
Jihyo became especially recognized for her powerful vocals, commanding stage presence and leadership throughout TWICE’s rise from a newly debuted girl group into a global entertainment phenomenon.
Now, after spending most of her childhood and adult life under the same management company, she is preparing to take greater control of her professional future.
Jihyo Launches EMITHAUS, Embraces Independence
In an emotional Instagram announcement, Jihyo reflected on more than two decades at JYP Entertainment.
She acknowledged that her journey had included both rewarding and difficult experiences, describing those years as instrumental in shaping the person and performer she has become.
The singer also thanked the people at JYP who supported her development and career.
Rather than presenting her departure as a rejection of her past, Jihyo described independence as a decision about how she intends to move forward.
The establishment of EMITHAUS represents her first major step toward that goal.
Although she has confirmed the formation of the company, detailed plans covering its management structure, upcoming releases, artist roster and commercial operations have not yet been publicly established in the reporting reviewed.
Her next moves could offer important clues about whether EMITHAUS will concentrate exclusively on her individual career or eventually expand into other entertainment ventures.
For now, the confirmed development is clear: Jihyo has ended her longtime individual agency relationship with JYP and launched her own company.
Is Jihyo Leaving TWICE? The Singer Sets the Record Straight
Perhaps the most important part of Jihyo’s announcement concerns TWICE itself.
Despite her departure from JYP Entertainment, the singer explicitly reassured fans that she intends to remain part of the group.
She described TWICE as an irreplaceable part of her life and expressed her desire to continue performing alongside her fellow members.
That distinction matters.
Leaving an entertainment agency does not automatically mean leaving the group that agency originally created or managed.
K-pop artists can pursue individual careers through different management arrangements while continuing to participate in group projects, provided the relevant contractual and scheduling arrangements are maintained.
Jihyo’s statement therefore should not be interpreted as confirmation that TWICE is disbanding.
Instead, it points toward a future in which the members could increasingly operate through separate individual management arrangements while preserving their collective identity.
However, the specific long-term structure of TWICE’s group activities has not been fully detailed in the announcements reviewed.
Jihyo Becomes the Third Confirmed TWICE Member to Leave JYP
Jihyo’s departure is not an isolated development.
On August 10, 2026, fellow member Jeongyeon announced that she was leaving JYP Entertainment to begin a new chapter with VARO Entertainment.
Her new agency, which also represents her sister, actress Gong Seung-yeon, is supporting her pursuit of acting opportunities.
Jeongyeon assured fans that continuing her activities with TWICE remained a priority.
Just three days later, on August 13, Chaeyoung confirmed that she was also leaving JYP Entertainment.
The rapper and singer announced plans to develop her individual artistic identity through her Lil Fantasy project, while emphasizing that she would remain a member of TWICE.
With Jihyo now establishing EMITHAUS, three members have publicly confirmed their departures from JYP in 2026.
Meanwhile, the individual contract status of the group’s six other members — Nayeon, Momo, Sana, Mina, Dahyun and Tzuyu — has not been fully disclosed in the latest CNA report.
Tzuyu was previously the subject of reports suggesting a possible departure, but JYP said at the time that renewal discussions were ongoing. Those earlier reports should not be confused with an officially confirmed departure.
Why TWICE’s Contract Changes Matter to the K-Pop Industry
TWICE debuted in October 2015 and has remained an important international K-pop act for more than a decade.
The group has expanded beyond South Korea and Japan into major international markets, supported by album releases, international tours and a dedicated global fan community known as ONCE.
Its longevity makes the current changes particularly noteworthy.
TWICE has entered its 11th year while its members increasingly explore individual career opportunities.
For JYP Entertainment, the challenge involves maintaining a cohesive group operation as some members establish careers under different management structures.
For the artists, the potential advantage is greater autonomy over individual creative projects, brand partnerships and professional development.
Still, independence does not automatically guarantee greater success. Scheduling, contractual coordination, production costs and marketing decisions can become more complicated when group members have separate representatives.
These are industry considerations, not confirmed disputes involving TWICE.
The bigger question is whether the group can preserve the consistency that helped build its global popularity while allowing members more freedom to pursue personal ambitions.
What’s Next for Jihyo, EMITHAUS and TWICE?
Jihyo has already demonstrated her ability to establish a musical identity outside TWICE, including her 2023 solo debut with the mini-album ZONE and its lead single “Killin’ Me Good.”
Launching EMITHAUS gives her a new platform from which to shape the next stage of that career.
But several questions remain unanswered.
Will EMITHAUS focus on solo music, performance and international promotions? Could the company develop into a broader entertainment business? And how will TWICE coordinate future group activities as more members work independently of JYP?
Those possibilities remain open, and no specific expansion plans should be treated as confirmed.
For ONCE, the immediate reassurance is that Jihyo has explicitly affirmed her commitment to TWICE.
Her 21-year journey with JYP Entertainment may have ended, but her announcement suggests that her story with the group is far from finished.
As TWICE enters a new era of individual independence, the biggest test may not be whether its members can succeed apart — but whether the nine stars can continue shining together.
