I.O.I. Alum Jeon So Mi Extends Touching Message To Fans For The First Time After Departure From JYP Entertainment
Former I.O.I. member Jeon So Mi has posted a sweet message to her fans for the first time after his controversial departure from her agency JYPE Entertainment. In her Instagram post, So Mi thanked her fans for their continued support.
She also shared a photo of her at an art gallery as well as some selfies. It was her first post on social media following confirmation that she will no longer part of the JYPE family.
"The darkest nights produce the brightest stars. You guys are my everything. Love you lotsss. MISS U," she wrote in the caption.
So Mi started her career in January 2016 when she represented JYP Entertainment in reality girl group survival show Produce 101. She finished in first place and debut with the project girl group I.O.I in May of the same year. On January 9, 2017, So Mi signed a contract with the JYP Entertainment for her solo activities. Less than a month later, I.O.I was officially disbanded.
This week, JYP Entertainment announced that So Mi terminated her exclusive contract with them. Both parties did not give any explanation as to why the singer decided to leave the company. Hence, it sparked speculations about what could be the reason behind So Mi's departure.
Some noted that So Mi's departure could have been triggered by JYPE's latest announcement that they are preparing to debut a new girl group but did not mention So Mi at all. This made many to believe that So Mi may not be part of the new group. Some quickly speculate that Jeon So Mi perhaps parted ways with JYP Entertainment on a bad note.
The buzz furthers build up when the singer "liked" some of her fans comments on Instagram particularly those that criticize JYPE. She gave thumbs up signs on comments that mentioned JYPE.
"My past 1-pick So Mi, I will support you no matter where you debut. You will do everything well, wherever!! (Can't imagine) how much you must have longed for a re-debut after IOI...overusing your image...I hate JYPE for not making your debut, whether as a solo or a group," one fan commented which So Mi "liked."
Meanwhile, Jeon So Mi's Canadian father shed light about the rumors that there is a bad blood between his daughter and JYP Entertainment. In an interview with Ilgan Sports (via AllKPop), Matthew Douma clarified the rumor and hinted that the termination of So Mi's contract was done amicably. He stressed that both parties reached an agreement with regards to the singer's contract.
"I shook hands and hugged with the employee at the company. We went as a family, and we even had ice cream with So Mi's manager. We decided to support each other," said Douma.