3 K-Pop Idols Left Their Groups Without Warning — And Fans Still Don’t Know Why

In the fast-moving world of K-Pop, idol departures aren’t exactly rare. Contracts end, personal dreams change, and sometimes scandals or health issues force artists to leave.

Still, no matter how common it may be, it’s always a shock when a beloved member suddenly exits without much explanation. Over the recent few years, several cases have stood out even more because, to this day, fans still don’t have clear answers. Here are three recent idol departures that remain a mystery.

Jessica’s departure from Girls’ Generation remains one of the most shocking. | SM Entertainment

1. Former NMIXX’s Jini

Jini was considered one of the visual pillars of NMIXX. At the time of her departure, she was still actively engaging with fans through messaging apps and social media. Her sudden exit in late 2022 caught many by surprise.

Jini image teaser for NMIXX’s debut. | JYP Entertainment 

Although the official statement cited “personal reasons,” no additional details were provided. Rumors swirled online about possible controversies, but nothing was ever confirmed. Given how important Jini seemed to be to the group’s early image, the lack of a clear explanation left fans even more confused.

Jinni Terminates Her Contract With JYP Entertainment, NMIXX To Continue As Six Members

2. Former ILLIT’s Youngseo

Youngseo was another rising star who many thought would play a big role in ILLIT’s success. With many of the current ILLIT members having a softer, more delicate visual style, Youngseo brought a strong balance to the group’s look. She had even reportedly filmed content for their reality show.

Youngseo. | BeLift Lab

However, before fans could see her full potential, Youngseo vanished from fan messaging platforms and was later confirmed to have left the group. If she had stayed, some believe the group’s current visual dynamic would look very different. Like Jini, no specific reasons were given for her departure.

Popular HYBE Trainee’s Exit Sparks Mass Speculation

3. Former ONF’s Laun

Among these cases, Laun’s departure from ONF might be the most baffling to Korean netizens. ONF is known for having an interconnected universe across their music and concepts, and Laun was considered a crucial part of that storyline.

ONF’s Laun | TV Daily

His sudden exit, with no real public explanation, left a major gap not just in the group, but in their ongoing creative world. Years later, fans still wonder what happened behind the scenes that caused his departure.

ONF Laun’s Sudden Departure From The Group Sparks Extreme Concern Among Fans