Chaeyoung (Son Chae-young) has confirmed she will not renew her contract with JYP Entertainment, announcing on Instagram on 13 August 2026 that she is ready to “step into a new chapter”. The 27-year-old singer‑rapper said she is developing a project called Lil Fantasy, which she described as “a world where I can explore and build my music.”
What Chaeyoung said
In her announcement Chaeyoung expressed gratitude to the people who supported her journey at JYP and within Twice, noting the company and the group played a central role in her career.
"I want to deeply thank everyone at JYP and Team Twice for believing in and supporting me over the past 14 years," she wrote, adding: "Everything I’ve received is thanks to my time as Twice, which will always be my roots."
She also offered a message to her bandmates, calling them her "strength and biggest supporters" and signing off with affection: "I love you beyond words." Chaeyoung reassured fans that the group's status would not change as a result of her departure.
Broader context for Twice
Chaeyoung’s announcement comes shortly after fellow Twice member Jeongyeon revealed she had left JYP to sign with Varo Entertainment. That move followed Jeongyeon’s public confirmation of a new agency partnership; Varo represents actors including Gong Seung‑yeon and Byeon Woo‑seok, both of whom appeared in the Disney+ series Perfect Crown, according to reporting.
The latest departures leave the status of solo contracts for the other seven Twice members — Nayeon, Momo, Sana, Jihyo, Mina, Dahyun and Tzuyu — something that remains to be disclosed by the artists and their management teams.
- Artist: Chaeyoung (Son Chae‑young)
- Former agency: JYP Entertainment
- New activity: Project Lil Fantasy (artist‑driven music project)
- Date of announcement: 13 August 2026
What this means for fans and the group
Chaeyoung made a point of saying Twice remains her musical foundation and that fans should expect continuity for the nonet. Still, agency departures often raise questions about future group promotions, individual schedules and how management responsibilities will be shared if some members sign with different companies.
Industry watchers commonly note that K‑pop groups whose members split between multiple agencies can continue group activities, but logistics — from scheduling to revenue sharing and creative control — typically become more complex. At this stage, no details have been released about how Twice’s collective activities will be managed going forward.
| Member | Current status |
|---|---|
| Chaeyoung | Left JYP; announced solo project Lil Fantasy |
| Jeongyeon | Left JYP; signed with Varo Entertainment |
| Nayeon, Momo, Sana, Jihyo, Mina, Dahyun, Tzuyu | Status of solo contracts unconfirmed |
For South African fans who follow K‑pop closely, these developments will be watched for announcements about future releases, tours or appearances. Chaeyoung’s reference to a creative, self‑directed project suggests she intends to shape her own musical direction beyond the group framework.
While agency shifts are common as artists reach different phases of their careers, the tone of Chaeyoung’s message was conciliatory and appreciative — she thanked JYP and the Twice team for 14 years and emphasised Twice’s continuing importance in her life and work.
As further details emerge on agency arrangements for other members or on how group activities will be coordinated, fans and industry observers can expect statements from the artists or their respective management teams clarifying plans for both individual and group projects.
