TWICE member JIHYO establishes solo agency EMITHAUS after 21 years with JYP

JIHYO announced the establishment of her own one-person agency, EMITHAUS, on the 21st via a handwritten letter. After 21 years with JYP Entertainment, the TWICE leader intends to use the new agency to expand her solo musical activities while continuing her work with the group.

JIHYO, a member of the group TWICE, is embarking on an independent path after 21 years with JYP Entertainment. She announced a new beginning by establishing her own one-person agency, EMITHAUS.

On the 21st at noon, JIHYO released a handwritten letter via her personal social media, reflecting on her long journey and sharing her thoughts on the new challenges ahead. While expressing gratitude to those who have supported her for a long time, she expressed her determination to freely unfold possibilities that she has not yet been able to show. This move signifies a new phase where she will directly design her own direction of activities, moving beyond simply changing agencies.

EMITHAUS, founded by JIHYO, aims to expand an artist's individuality and creative potential through music and various types of content. The name "EMIT" in the company name means "to emit" or "to radiate," which is interpreted as an intention to reveal the latent senses and energy within herself to the outside world. JIHYO plans to broaden her scope of activities as a solo artist by challenging various fields, including music, at the agency.

In her handwritten letter, JIHYO explained the meaning of her independence. "To me, independence is less a conclusion of the time that has passed and more a choice regarding how I will live the time to come. As a start, I have established EMITHAUS," she stated. She added, "I want to freely unfold even the possibilities of myself that have not yet been discovered here." She emphasized that this is not a separation to deny or organize the past, but a choice to create a new version of herself moving forward.

Having formed a connection with JYP Entertainment in 2005, JIHYO debuted as a member of TWICE after a long period as a trainee. Serving as the leader and main vocalist of the group, she has demonstrated solid vocal abilities and stage presence, establishing herself as a core member of the K-pop group with a global fandom. The experience gained from growing within one company for a long time is expected to serve as her musical foundation following this independence.

This decision is expected to open new possibilities for JIHYO's solo activities. As she can now more proactively decide the direction of her music and content through her independent label, attention is focused on whether she will reveal a different personality and color from what she has shown in previous group activities. As the one-person agency model, where an artist directly plans and operates their own activities, has become an option in the K-pop industry, interest is also high on how JIHYO will build her own domain.

However, this independence does not mean a suspension of TWICE activities. While pursuing active musical activities as a solo artist, JIHYO plans to continue her activities as a member of TWICE without change. Through her letter, she also conveyed her affection and gratitude toward her long-time members and the fandom, ONCE.

Leaving behind a 21-year connection with JYP Entertainment, JIHYO stands at a new starting line under her own name. Attention is focused on her next steps at EMITHAUS and how her choice to step away from a familiar system to expand her creative control and activity will unfold.

Read the original (Korean)