MEAWW.COM / ENTERTAINMENT / K-POP NEWS

Is P.O still part of Block B? K-pop idol won't renew contract with KQ’s Seven Seasons

Like Block B's leader Zico, P.O has just left the agency with the future of the group as OT7 still under discussion

While fourth-gen fans might know KQ Entertainment as Ateez’s agency, it actually houses one of the biggest third-gen groups -- Block B. KQ’s sub-label Seven Seasons manages the seven-member boy group that also includes idol actor P.O. Block B had a rough start when they first debuted under Stardom Entertainment. A lawsuit was involved as Block B wanted to leave due to mismanagement and not being paid for two years.

Block B won the case and then moved to their current label KQ's Seven Seasons in 2013. With a fresh start, they went on to have hit comebacks successively as seen with the iconic ‘Very Good’ and ‘Jackpot’. They also swept charts domestically, as well as internationally like Gaon and Billboard. In fact, their old songs still go viral like ‘Nillili Mambo’ on TikTok when TXT’s Soobin sang the iconic intro “Bye guys, hi ladies!” But the group hasn’t had a comeback since 2018 and with P.O leaving the group, what does it mean for their future?

READ MORE
K-pop star Zico set to enlist in mandatory 2-year military service, distraught fans cry 'please don't go'

Eternal Sunshine vs Deja Vu: Ateez makes fans vote for 'Fever Part 3' title track

P.O leaves KQ's Seven Seasons

Seven Seasons released a statement on September 11 that said that P.O had decided not to renew his contract which ends in September 2021. They also shared, “Although our work together has ended, our time together was not brief, and we would like to thank P.O, with whom we have made many good memories...Our agency will also sincerely root for P.O and wish that he will always be blessed.” This is not the first time that a Block B member has left Seven Seasons.

Leader and rapper Zico left the agency in 2018 after the group’s last comeback in 2018. He started his own label KOZ Entertainment and released hit singles like ‘Any Song’. But while he is a soloist and part of other crews, he has not left Block B. Last we heard, Seven Seasons explained that the activities of the group as seven was still under discussion. Similarly, in P.O’s announcement, they have not mentioned that he will be leaving the group which has fans hopeful.

So, while Block B may not have had a comeback yet, which could be because of the members gradually enlisting in the military, fans believe that they will get an OT7 comeback after all members finish their mandatory military service. P.O is also an actor and variety show regular. His latest acting gigs were in the popular K-dramas ‘Hotel Del Luna’ and ‘Mouse’ that aired in March 2021. He is also a regular cast in variety shows like ‘Amazing Saturday’, ‘The Great Escape’ and ‘New Journey to The West’.

And while fans want him to join Zico’s label, P.O might be a free agent and sign with a label after he finishes his military enlistment which is due next year. One fan said, “I hope PO will join KOZ and the rest of the Block B members soon.” They were also happy that he would get to choose what he would like to do next, “ENJOY YOUR LIFE PYO JIHOON.” Another hoped that this didn’t mean he had left Block B, “Yeah i just saw, hopefully still bastarz soon because as we know from zico, leaving kq ≠ leaving block b.”