South Korean singer and actor Rowoon has opened up about his thoughts on his departure from the K-pop boy group SF9. 

During a press event for his new series The Matchmakers, Rowoon shed light on the reasons behind his decision to part ways with SF9 after seven years. 

In September, FNC Entertainment made the announcement that Rowoon would no longer be actively promoting with SF9. With this, the group would continue its activities with just eight members. This news took many fans by surprise, as Rowoon had been an integral part of the group since its debut in October 2016, having dedicated seven years to SF9.

“I left the group because I wanted to become more serious about acting, and I wanted to get better at it,” the idol-actor said, as per SBS Star. 

To date, Rowoon is one of the idols who successfully made a name in the acting industry. He made his acting debut in the 2017 series School 2017 and garnered significant attention with his role as Haru in Extraordinary You in May 2019. Since then, Kim Seok-woo, Rowoon‘s real name, actively participated in various series. The list includes She Would Never Know, The King’s Affection, Tomorrow, and Destined With You. 

During the press conference for The Matchmakers, Rowoon acknowledged that some fans might have been disappointed by his decision. But he stressed that these disappointments are part of the weight of his choice. Furthermore, he hoped that his dedication to acting will eventually make people understand his decision and see it as a significant step in his career.

“Please understand that it was not an easy decision for me,” he added. 

Rowoon continues to root for SF9

Despite his departure, Rowoon made it clear that he still has deep affection for SF9 and remains close to his former groupmates. 

In particular, he mentioned his camaraderie with Hwiyoung, who is also part of The Matchmakers alongside him. “Hwiyoung is also in the drama, but we don’t feel awkward around each other at all,” Rowoon said. “We chat and tell jokes to each other like we always have.”

However, it can be recalled that Youngbin, SF9‘s leader,  also addressed Rowoon’s exit from the group in a heartfelt letter to fans. At the time, he expressed feeling “conflicted” about Rowoon’s departure. But Youngbin also emphasized his continued support for Rowoon‘s individual activities. Moreover, Youngbin also extended his gratitude to the fans and provided comfort during this transitional period.

As of writing, there’s no details yet about SF9’s upcoming activities. The group last made a comeback with their 12th EP The Piece OF9 in January 2023.

Featured image: Rowoon in the concept photo for SF9’s ‘The Piece of 9’ album. Credit: Facebook/SF9