SEOUL, Oct 21 — TWICE member Jihyo has announced her departure from JYP Entertainment after 21 years with the agency, confirming she has established a new company called Emithaus.

The 29-year-old singer, who is also the leader of the group, shared the news directly with fans through a heartfelt post on social media.

The post also included a video of her childhood auditions, offering fans a glimpse of the early days that marked the beginning of her two-decade journey with the agency.

“I have come to an end of my journey with JYP, who has been with me for 21 years since childhood,” she wrote in the statement.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

The singer noted that summarising two decades into a few sentences was difficult, reflecting on a career that began when she was a child trainee.

“There were good days and some bad days, but it’s clear that all those times have made me who I am,” she said.

Despite the departure, Jihyo reassured fans that her new path does not signal a split from her longtime group.

“TWICE is an indispensable part of my life,” she stated. 

“I want to stand on the same stage with the members in the future and continue the times we will create together.”

She explained that her definition of independence is not a conclusion to the past, but rather the freedom to choose how she lives her future.

This new chapter led her to establish Emithaus, a name inspired by the word “emit.”

“Like ‘emit’, which means ‘to radiate’, I want to freely capture my potential that I have not yet discovered here,” she said.

Jihyo, whose real name is Park Ji-hyo, debuted with TWICE in 2015 following her time as a trainee at JYP Entertainment.

The group — currently consisting of Nayeon, Jeongyeon, Momo, Sana, Jihyo, Mina, Dahyun, Chaeyoung, and Tzuyu — has grown into one of South Korea’s most successful K-pop acts, known for hits like TT, Fancy and Feel Special.

She concluded her post by expressing gratitude to the group’s fandom, ONCE, who have supported her for the past 11 years.

“Thank you for encouraging me with your unwavering faith and support throughout a long time,” she wrote. “I will grow into an artist worthy of the love and support you have given me.”