Top Girl Group Member Speculated To Leave SM Entertainment

SM Entertainment might lose yet another one of its iconic idols, as per current speculations.

The idol that is speculated to part ways with the label is Girls’ Generation’s Yuri, who has been under SM for 25 years now.

According to reports, as the end of her long-standing exclusive contract with SM is approaching soon, Yuri is seriously reconsidering renewing her contract. On July 4, KST, TenAsia reported that the Girls’ Generation member’s contract is set to expire next month. She is currently deliberating between a renewal and signing with a new agency.

Yuri, who is active both as an idol and an actress, is reportedly considering moving to a company that specializes in managing actors. However, since she plans to continue doing activities with the Girls’ Generation subunit HyoRiSoo with fellow members Hyoyeon and Sooyoung, she is weighing her options from multiple angles.

Yuri originally joined SM as a trainee in 2001 after winning the best dancer title at a youth contest. She debuted with Girls’ Generation in 2007 after six years of training. Since 2016, she has also been pursuing an acting career, having appeared in both K-Dramas and movies.

Netizens are apparently divided over whether Yuri should renew her contract with SM or not. While some feel it might be a better option for the future of HyoRiSoo, others feel strongly about her moving to a different agency that can manage actors well.

• “She’s 38. 25 years is more than half of her life.”
• “At that level, shouldn’t she be entitled to a pension even after leaving? …25 years.”
• “That’s right; SM really isn’t great for an acting career.”
• “I imagine the members of Girls’ Generation and artists associated with the group will handle their music activities under SM, while their acting work might be managed by an agency that specializes in actors.”
• “Since she is an actor, I think it would be okay if she goes to an acting agency…”

Girls’ Generation