Months after APRIL's disbandment, Chaekyung announces her exit from DSP Media
It came as no shocker to fans of the now-disbanded group APRIL as the label DSP Media announced that the group had been dissolved after a year of hiatus. The official reason for the disbandment is still unclear but it has been reported that the bullying controversy involving the members of the group and Hyunjoo - who was formerly a part of the group - could have precipitated the decision. While the news of APRIL’s disbandment came right after DSP Media merged with RBW Entertainment, fans were not really excited about the merger.
Now, it is reported that after a long discussion with her former label, APRIL’s Chaekyung - who only joined the group in 2017, two years after their official debut - has decided to part ways with DSP Media and move forward in her career with a new label. On April 22, it was revealed that Chaekyung has chosen not to re-sign a new contract with DSP media after her contract with the label ended two days ago. While not much has been going on for most APRIL members in terms of their solo careers, Chaekyung has been working on various acting projects over the last couple of years.
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APRIL’s Yoon Chaekyung departs from DSP Media
In their official statement announcing Chaekyung’s departure, APRIL’s label DSP Media said, “After a long discussion, Chaekyung has decided to terminate her exclusive contract with the label. We respect Yoon Chaekyung's decision that she wants to try out her future activities at a new label. We have decided to terminate her contract with the label on April 20.” The label went on to express their gratitude towards fans of APRIL that supported the group as well as Chaekyung over the years as an artist.
DSP Media also requested fans to support the former APRIL member in her future endeavors. Chaekyung had made her name initially from Mnet’s survival show, ‘Produce 101’ back in April 2017. APRIL eventually went on a hiatus following the conflict between former member Lee Hyunjoo and some members of the now-dissolved K-pop group.
The history of APRIL over the years
The girl group debuted in August 2015 as six members with the mini-album, ‘Dreaming’. The group underwent several lineup changes, with Somin of Kard departing soon after its debut and Hyunjoo initially leaving the group to pursue her acting career, which later ballooned into a controversy as she claimed to have been bullied by other members of the group.
APRIL was joined by Chaekyung and Rachel, bringing the final lineup to six members - Chaekyung, Chaewon, Naeun, Yena, Rachel, and Jinsol - as they released their July 2020 comeback ‘Hello Summer’ with the lead single ‘Now or Never’. Fans who heard of the news of disbandment expressed their shock after the girl group decided to disband only a day after it was revealed that DSP Media will be acquired by RBW Entertainment.