After 14 years under IST Entertainment, Apink’s versatile lead vocalist and actress Jeong Eun Ji has announced her departure from the agency—and the beginning of an exciting new chapter.
Jeong Eun Ji Leaves IST Entertainment
On April 2, IST Entertainment confirmed that its exclusive contract with Eun Ji had come to an end. Almost immediately, Eun Ji took to Apink’s official Weverse community to reassure fans—affectionately known as “Pandas”—that her journey with the group and in solo activities would continue uninterrupted.
“Pandas, a lot of you were surprised after reading today’s article, right?” Eun Ji wrote on Weverse. “As of today, I’ve graduated from IST Entertainment and decided to begin a new journey with BILLIONS.” She emphasized her commitment to Apink, adding, “I will continue my activities as a member of Apink, as well as my work as a singer and actress, just as I have until now.”
A New Beginning
BILLIONS, the burgeoning management firm known for its roster of multi-faceted entertainers, quickly welcomed Eun Ji. In their official statement, the agency praised her “unique presence across music, acting, and variety,” and pledged, “We will fully support her so she can continue her wide-ranging activities.”
Eun Ji’s departure marks the end of an era: she was the sole Apink member to renew with IST Entertainment back in April 2023, when Chorong, Bomi, Namjoo, and Hayoung each moved on to Choi Creative Lab.
During her time with IST, Eun Ji not only solidified her status as the group’s main vocalist—contributing vocal power to hits like “Mr. Chu” and “Five”—but also carved out a respected acting career with leading roles in dramas such as “Untouchable” (2017), “Reply 1997” (2012), and “Monthly Magazine Home” (2021). Her solo discography, which began with the heartfelt ballad “Hopefully Sky” in 2016, has since expanded to include multiple EPs and OST contributions that showcase her emotive tone and songwriting skills.
Under BILLIONS, Eun Ji is expected to balance Apink promotions—upcoming group comebacks, anniversary celebrations, and concerts—with her flourishing solo ventures: new music releases, acting projects, and variety show appearances. As she closes one chapter and starts another, fans can look forward to Eun Ji continuing to evolve as an artist, confident that her signature warmth and talent will shine through every endeavor—whether on stage, on screen, or beyond.
