Understanding GFRIEND's Disbandment: Planning Versus Surprise

Recently, there has been a surge of interest and discussion around the disbandment of GFRIEND, a popular K-pop girl group. This article aims to provide in-depth analysis and insights based on the information available, exploring both the planning and the surprise aspect of their disbandment.

The Suddenness and Initial Stance

The disbandment of GFRIEND came as a surprise to many, and there was an initial tendency to blame Bighit Entertainment, their former label. However, upon reviewing recent events, the truth starts to come to light. The disbandment, contrary to popular belief, was not a sudden decision but rather a planned one.

Clues Leading Up to the Decisions

Earlier this year, Soulmusic (Source Music) posted a letter on Weverse on May 19, which shocked everyone. The letter did not explicitly state that GFRIEND was going to disband but mentioned that the girls were parting ways with the company. Additionally, Umji, the youngest member of GFRIEND, held a V-LIVE event with the word 'Goodbye' in the title, which was quite peculiar given the active schedules of the group members in the days leading up to the announcement.

Four days later, the group officially disbanded, and three days after that, it was confirmed. An ex-staff member from Source Music claimed that he and his colleagues knew nothing about the CEO's plans until the last minute. Today, no one knows the exact reason behind the decision.

Why the Disbandment?

Despite the suddenness, it appears that neither the staff nor the members of the group were aware of the disbandment until the final moments. This conclusion raises questions about the reasons behind this decision. One possible explanation is that Source Music, GFRIEND's label, had to let the group go for strategic reasons, perhaps focusing on a new girl group project.

New Opportunities for the Members

Since the disbandment, it has been interesting to note certain trends. For example, 'Mago,' the solo project of Gyeong-in, was released in November 2020, three months after 'Apple,' the group's song released in July 2020. This rapid timeline seems too fast to be a coincidence, especially when considering the disbandment in the middle. Moreover, Viviz, Yuju, So Jung, and Yerin have quickly announced new careers, bypassing the usual recruitment process.

These actions suggest that there might have been a plan to facilitate their transitions into solo or new group projects. Additionally, it is notable that these members are not shying away from acknowledging their past with GFRIEND. Normally, disbanding members would avoid or limit discussions about their past companies, yet these members embrace it.

Conclusion: A Greedy Disbandment?

While the decision to disband GFRIEND may seem disheartening, many fans acknowledge that there might have been strategic reasons behind it. Source Music's strong support for GFRIEND raises questions about the conflicting interests of economic profitability and the well-being of the members.

Although the exact reason remains a mystery, it is clear that the disbandment was a well-thought-out decision, even if it was not communicated transparently to the members. Fans hope that the disbandment leads to the members thriving in their new ventures, as they have always supported them.

Stay tuned for further updates and insights on the journeys of GFRIEND's members and their new projects.