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On May 30, Wake One and Swing Entertainment announced that the girl group Kep1er had signed a renewal contract ahead of their comeback; however, two members confirmed they would be leaving.
The agency announced on May 30 that they’ve agreed to renew the contract with girl group Kep1er to extend the group’s activities. They promised to provide active support for the group’s future activities and their musical growth.
While the majority of the Kep1er members, including Choi Yu-jin, Xiaoting, Kim Chae-hyun, Kim Da-yeon, Hikaru, Huening Bahi, and Seo Young-eun, have agreed to renew their contracts, two members, Mashiro and Kang Ye-seo, have decided to conclude their activities. This change in the lineup has sparked an in-depth discussion between Wake One, Swing Entertainment, and Mashiro Kang Ye-seo’s agency about future activities, ultimately leading to the announcement that a contract renewal was not possible.
Initially, there were many opinions ahead of Kep1er’s contract renewal. It’s been confirmed that Kep1er will continue his activities with seven members.
Kepler’s contract renewal is significant because it is the first to renew as an MNet project group. Previously, groups created through MNet’s survival program, such as Wanna One, I.O.I, and IZ*ONE, gained so much popularity. However, they did not renew their contracts after completing the scheduled contract period. This led to some members re-debuting as soloists or parts of new groups, while others retired from the industry, which caused disappointment among fans.
Kep1er is the first to succeed and is about to make their comeback with the release of their first full-length album, “Kep1going,” on June 3. It is the last album that will have all nine members.
After the announcement of their contract renewal, Kep1er’s first full-length album is expected to attract even greater attention.
Following the release of their first full-length album, ‘Kep1going,’ on June 3, Kep1er will hold a concert at K Arena Yokohama, Japan, in July. This concert, which 20,000 fans will attend, will be the last opportunity to see Mashiro and Kang Ye-seo perform with the group before they end their activities and leave.
Kep1er was formed through MNet’s “Girls Planet 999: Girls’ Battle” in October 2021 and officially debuted on January 3, 2022. The group has released five mini-albums. Their track “Wadada,” from their debut mini-album “First Impact,” became their first hit single.
I, Miranieva, am a passionate K-pop writer with an insatiable love for South Korean music, entertainment, and culture. With a background in journalism and a deep understanding of the Hallyu wave, I’ve provided insightful articles and vibrant reviews for over three years. When not writing, I enjoy learning Korean, watching emerging K-pop artists and veterans alike, and curating playlists of their favorite tracks.