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TWICE’s Jeongyeon Confirms JYP Departure, Starts New Chapter at VARO
TWICE’s Jeongyeon Says Goodbye to JYP Entertainment and Hello to a New Agency
What Happened?
Imagine you’ve lived in the same house since you were a teenager. It’s filled with memories, your family is there, and it feels like home. But one day, you decide it’s time to move to a new place to try something different—while still keeping your room in the old house for weekends.
That’s basically what happened with Jeongyeon, one of the singers in the famous K-pop group TWICE.
On August 10, she posted a handwritten letter on Instagram to tell fans she’s leaving JYP Entertainment—the company she’s been with since she was a teen. On the very same day, a new company called VARO Entertainment announced they signed an exclusive contract with her.
The Timeline: How It All Went Down
- August 10 (Morning) – Jeongyeon shares a personal, handwritten letter on Instagram announcing her departure from JYP.
- August 10 (Same Day) – VARO Entertainment releases an official statement confirming they signed Jeongyeon.
- Fans (called ONCE) – React with support, tears, and excitement for her new chapter.
Jeongyeon’s Letter: The Heart of the Story
Jeongyeon didn’t just send a press release. She wrote a real letter by hand. Here are the most important things she wanted fans to know:
- JYP was her "second home" – She trained and worked there since her teenage years.
- Leaving was scary – But her TWICE members and fans (ONCE) gave her courage.
- TWICE isn’t changing – She said: "TWICE, the center of my life, will remain unchanged."
- She’s not quitting the group – Being TWICE’s Jeongyeon is still her #1 priority.
- She wants new challenges – Especially in acting, while still doing group activities.
- Gratitude – She thanked JYP, her members, and fans from the bottom of her heart.
Think of it like this: She’s not breaking up with the band. She’s just changing managers so she can explore acting more freely—while still showing up for every TWICE concert, comeback, and variety show.
Meet the New Team: VARO Entertainment
VARO isn’t a random new company. It’s an acting-focused agency that already represents some big names:
- Gong Seung Yeon – Jeongyeon’s real-life older sister!
- Byeon Woo Seok – Star of Lovely Runner and Strong Girl Nam-soon
- Jin Goo – Veteran actor (Descendants of the Sun)
- Lee Chae Min – Rising actor (Hierarchy, Crash Course in Romance)
Why VARO?
In their statement, they said they "deeply resonated with Yu Jeongyeon’s authentic attitude and sincerity toward acting" and want to be a "reliable partner" who supports her both as an actress and as a TWICE member.
What Does This Mean for TWICE?
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is Jeongyeon leaving TWICE? | No. She said it clearly: TWICE remains her first priority. |
| Will TWICE still have 9 members? | Yes. All 9 members are staying together. |
| Will she still do comebacks & tours? | Yes. She’ll continue group activities "smoothly." |
| What changes? | Her individual schedule (acting, variety, solo work) will now be managed by VARO. JYP still manages TWICE as a group. |
Important Point: This is becoming more common in K-pop! Several idols have moved to new agencies for solo work while staying in their groups (like BTS members, BLACKPINK members, and more). It gives them freedom to grow individually without leaving the team.
Why This Matters: The Big Picture
- For Jeongyeon: She gets specialized support for acting—something she’s passionate about.
- For VARO: They gain a global star with 9+ years of experience, millions of fans, and serious acting potential.
- For ONCE (fans): You get more Jeongyeon content—TWICE stuff plus acting projects!
- For K-pop: It shows the industry is evolving. Idols can now build dual careers without choosing one over the other.
Summary
Jeongyeon left JYP Entertainment after ~14 years (trainee + debut).
She signed with VARO Entertainment—an acting-focused agency.
She is NOT leaving TWICE. The group stays 9 members strong.
Her priority is still TWICE. Group activities continue as normal.
She wants to act more. VARO will help her take on acting roles.
Her sister is at VARO too. Family connection = extra support system.
Fans are supportive. ONCE flooded her comments with love and encouragement.
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
1. Why did Jeongyeon leave JYP if she’s staying in TWICE?
Think of JYP as the "group manager" and VARO as her "personal manager." JYP handles TWICE stuff (albums, tours, group schedules). VARO handles her solo stuff—acting, variety shows, endorsements. It’s like having two coaches: one for the team, one for your personal growth.
2. Will JYP still profit from Jeongyeon’s work?
JYP manages TWICE as a group, so they handle group revenue. For Jeongyeon’s individual projects (like a drama or solo CF), VARO takes the lead. The exact contract details are private, but this setup is standard in the industry now.
3. Is this because of conflict with JYP?
No signs of bad blood. Jeongyeon thanked JYP deeply in her letter, calling them family. She said leaving was "daunting" but she found courage—suggesting it was a personal growth decision, not a fight.
4. Can she still appear on JYP shows or with other JYP artists?
Most likely, yes. Unless there’s a rare exclusivity clause, idols under different agencies still collaborate, appear on music shows, and attend award shows together. TWICE’s group activities are still under JYP.
5. When will we see her act?
No specific project announced yet. But VARO said they’ll support her "step by step." Given her sister and labelmates are active actors, expect news sooner than later. Keep an eye on her Instagram and VARO’s official channels!
Final Thought: Change can be scary, but it’s also how we grow. Jeongyeon is brave enough to try something new—while holding tight to the people and group she loves. And that’s something we can all cheer for.
Fighting, Jeongyeon!
