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Outrage after GFriend's Sowon calls out Source Music for 'sudden disbandment'

Sowon told fans that for GFRIEND members, the group has not disbanded, holding out hope for a comeback with all six members

Looks like the truth is finally out. Buddies (fans of GFriend) are not going to rest until they get some answers. Source Music, the label that is now under HYBE, was initially a small, pretty unknown label. Their fame is credited to the now-disbanded girl group GFriend. Fans claim that GFriend brought the label from rags to riches and it is the same group that ended up being mistreated by the label.

Not just fans but turns out the members of the group themselves were shocked by the sudden decision of to disband GFriend. Fans are aware that SinB, who is currently a member of VIVIZ, had recently hinted that GFriend members were told that the group was disbanding and it was done against their will. That coupled with Source Music trying to trademark the group's name and their songs, GFriend fans have no hope for a possible reunion.

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Sowon gives hope to GFriend fans

With HYBE debuting Le Sserafim (aka Lesserafim) under GFriend’s former label Source Music, fans are now calling the controversy around member Kim Garam “bad karma” for disbanding GFriend. Not only that, but due to the sour reaction from Buddies, various media outlets are bringing attention to an interview where Sowon, the former leader of GFriend blatantly stated that Source Music had disbanded GFriend without any discussion.

Sowon claimed that the label planned the disbandment but the members did not realize the disbandment would occur this soon. In the interview, Sowon said, “I wanted to be an actress but I did not think that time would come so soon.” She states that GFriend’s disbandment was broken to the members rather suddenly which is why despite a year passing, the members have not come to terms with it yet.

Will GFriend ever make a comeback?

Fans of the group relate to this because they too, just like GFriend members are still having a hard time accepting the news of the girl group’s dissolution. While Sowon, Yuju, and Yerin are all currently thriving as an actress and SinB, Umji and Eunha have re-debuted as VIVIZ, fans still miss GFriend as a group. Sowon also reassured fans by saying, “The members and I don’t think that GFriend has disbanded,” which gives Buddies hope that the members will band together sometime in the future.

But fans are also sad about the sudden revelation from Sowon as one Buddy said, "Sowon just confirmed that it was never Gfriend's choice to disband. I feel bitter again." One fan defended VIVIZ members saying, "Done blocking buddy and navs who like this tweet like seriously y'all liking a tweet saying the girls no longer gfriend when sowon saying ALL THE MEMBER didn't think its was disband at all and sinb said viviz are also gfriend? STUPID." One fan had said, "Anywho i think i changed my mind abt the debut news of soumu's ngg i don't really care who's in it or who's planning to stan it's still soumu's fault and i'm relieved to see viviz yuju yerin and sowon thriving even if it costed gfriend to disband." One fan said, "Gfriend Paid SouMu Debt...Cheers."

'This makes my blood boil'

One fan said, "So it just means, they were just told they are disbanding. Not really negotiated to extend or what," and another replied, "They were terminated. Their contract was supposed to end in Nov. 2021 but they were announced disbanded in May 2021. SinB even said in Universe app that she got fired from the previous company and moved to BPM." One fan asked, "Why did they get fired is the question? no one is answering the whys?" and one replied, "Exactly the question sweety. We’ve been asking for an explanation from Hybe and Source Music since last year, we even trended a hashtag for it, mass emailed them and up to now, we never got any reply. The next thing we knew they already applied GFRIEND’s name trademark."

One fan wondered, "Why didn't they know they were being disbanded? Why are entertainment co., in Korea taking advantage of their money makers? They are human, with feelings. This is why they work so hard to become and then they get harassed and go through emotional stress. And what do you do? OMG!!" They continued, "The level of stress and the inability to show what they really want in their future has been ripped from them. Ent companies should feel ashamed. Where is the support from the companies? Wow. This makes my blood boil. They should be allowed to venture out b4 their contract expire."