Following the expiration of their contracts with PLEDIS Entertainment in 2024, five members of the popular K-pop girl group have officially signed with ASND: Song Hayoung, Park Jiwon, Lee Nagyung, Lee Chaeyoung, and Baek Jiheon. The newly formed agency announced the exclusive contracts on January 26, saying they will do their best to support the members as they continue their careers. This news comes weeks after the group performed their emotional farewell under PLEDIS at the 2024 MBC Gayo Daejejun, performing a heartfelt rendition of their hit single “Supersonic.” The moment was so moving that fans and members alike were caught in a wave of emotions during the Seollal Korean New Year holiday broadcast.

Fans of the eight-membered group fromis_9 have been speculating about their future for months. As each of the members recently announced that they would be letting their contracts with PLEDIS end, fans were confused whether the group would remain together or whether they even had a right to continue going under the name fromis_9. Confirmation that five of the members have joined ASND answers some questions but leaves others open-ended.

According to reports, the remaining three members, Lee Saerom, Lee Seoyeon, and Roh Jisun, did not join ASND. It is not known if they will join their comrades for future group activities or pursue solo work. Fans anxiously await news of what they will do next.

ASND issued an official statement acknowledging the courage it took for the five members to take this new path and assured unwavering support for their artistic journey. The agency also confirmed that discussions about retaining the group’s name are ongoing with PLEDIS, leaving open the possibility that the five members could continue promoting under the familiar moniker.

The agency released the following statement:

“Hello, this is ASND.

The five artists, which are Song Hayoung, Park Jiwon, Lee Nagyung, Lee Chaeyoung, and Baek Jiheon, have signed exclusive contracts with ASND.

It is a big thing to decide on continuing their team activities, so it must have taken a lot of thought and courage for the artists. We at ASND are sincerely grateful to the artists for their great courage and for choosing to walk this journey with us, and we promise to provide unwavering support and encouragement so that they can pursue their dreams going forward.

We sincerely hope the performances and music created together from these artists stir fans’ emotions and make this time unforgettable.

We are in discussion with the previous agency to use the name of the team. And in 2025, we plan to do many diverse and meaningful activities.

Except for promoting their album and exhibiting their musical passion and growth, we also work on the planning of the concert for the group to connect to the fans.

We hope all the attention and love can make every step a wonderful and shining moment for their future journey.

Thank you. Sincerely, ASND.”

Even before this official confirmation, fromis_9’s last performance under PLEDIS at 2024 MBC Gayo Daejejun had already been something of an emotional goodbye. Performing “Supersonic,” the group’s biggest chart hit to date, it was bittersweet. The fans were cheering wildly, but the members’ facial expressions revealed more than just their happiness. Baek Jiheon was fighting tears as she covered her mouth in a desperate attempt to contain herself. Lee Chaeyoung, on the other hand, was facing away from the audience as if the weight of the moment was too much for her to bear. Although the performance had been pre-recorded before their contracts officially expired in December 2024, it only aired during the Seollal holiday, amplifying the emotional weight of the occasion.

From their debut, fromis_9’s journey has been anything but conventional. Originally formed through the reality show Idol School in 2017, they quickly gained a devoted fanbase with their bright energy and distinctive sound. However, their career trajectory took unexpected turns, including multiple management shifts and periods of uncertainty. Even after transitioning to PLEDIS Entertainment under HYBE Labels, questions about their long-term future persisted.

Now, as five members take this bold step with ASND, fans are both hopeful and anxious. The prospect of new music, concerts, and continued group activities is exciting, but many still wonder about the fate of the remaining three members. Will they return someday? If the group manages to retain the name fromis_9, things might change for better. These are questions that only time will answer.

At least, however, five signed members with ASND have pledged to hold it together and to continue creating more music. Deciding to keep their team, even amidst all the uncertainties, is a huge statement on dedication-to not just careers but fans as well. The music business is uncertain; however, with their passion and resilience, the new chapter ahead might just mean bigger success.

For fans who have followed the group for many years, it has got to be an emotional transition. Change is never easy for a group that has shared so many moments with its audience. However, there is every reason to believe that this could only be the beginning of an exciting new for fromis_9 with ASND’s commitment and the members’ unwavering determination.