Is Sungjong leaving Infinite? Member's contract with Woollim expires after 13 years
The group Infinite debuted in the year 2010 and now, after 13 long years with the label Woollim Entertainment, the agency made its official announcement in terms of the future of the group. On January 24, Woollim Entertainment, the label that manages the six-member boy band, Infinite, made the announcement regarding member Lee Sungjong’s contract with the agency as well as his future standing in the group activities. Back in 2017, Hoya, the seventh member of Infinite left the group after the expiration of his seven-year contract with Woollim Entertainment.
Other members of the group, Infinite, namely, Sungkyu, Dongwoo, Woohyun, Sungyeol, L, and Sungjong had all resigned with the label back in the same year 2017. Now, four years after that, it has been revealed that Sungjong (Lee Sung-jong) had finally decided to end his long-term exclusive contract with Woollim Entertainment after 13 long years with the label. Both Sungjong, as well as Woollim Entertainment, revealed their official positions on the future of Infinite.
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Lee Sung-jong leaves Woollim Entertainment
Lee Sung-jong told that he plans to terminate his contract with the label but he has no plans of leaving the group, Infinite anytime soon. In his official statement that was released on January 24, Sungjong said that he had taken on a new challenge in his life as he planned to move to a new agency for his future solo activities. Sungjong announced that he as well as the CEO of Woollim Entertainment, Lee Jung-yeop had come to a mutual understanding that Sungjong wished to move on in his career after being with the label since his trainee days.
In awe of the support Woollim Entertainment provided him, Sungjong said, “I will never forget my gratitude for Woollim Entertainment who were with me in good times as well as bad.” He also thanked the Infinite fandom saying, “Inspirit, who always gives infinite love, and our members, thank you, thank you, and I love you all.” Sungjong revealed that despite leaving the label, he will still be a part of Infinite’s group activities as a member. He said, “I will always be by your side in the future, as an Infinite member. I will definitely repay the fans' love through various activities.”
Woollim Entertainment ensures support to Sungjong
In their official statement following Sungjong’s announcement, Woollim Entertainment revealed that even though he is parting ways with the label, they will support the idol through his future activities. In their statement, the label stated, “We would like to express our sincere gratitude to Lee Sungjong, who has been with us for a long time.” They also said that both parties have decided to support each other through future activities of the group Infinite which Sungjong is still a part of.
Off lately, there have been many instances when idols have departed from the management labels they initially joined despite being a part of the groups they debuted with. Examples of such instances could be Mamamoo’s Wheein who left RBW Entertainment to join Ravi’s label, The L1VE but still participates in the group activities of Mamamoo. 2PM’s Taecyeon as well as very recently Chansung, both departed from JYP Entertainment to join different labels but have been part of the group activities of 2PM.