The VICTON maknae line has decided their future. Hanse, Byungchan, and Subin chose not to renew their contracts with IST Entertainment.

VICTON Members Hanse, Byungchan, and Subin Exit IST Entertainment

IST Entertainment previously responded to reports that the VICTON members are considering leaving the company. Several reports suggest that the remaining six members of the idol group will not renew their contracts with the agency. However, the boys plan to continue performing as a group in the future.

“We will release a statement on the exclusive contracts of the members once we have confirmed all details,” the company said in a statement.

Since then, the agency formerly known as Plan A Entertainment has issued a second statement about VICTON.

“The agency will conclude its management duties of VICTON members Hanse, Byungchan, and Subin as of April 20 KST with the expiration of these individual members’ exclusive contracts,” it read.

“This decision was reached based on mutual respect after a lengthy and serious debate between the members and the agency ahead of their contract expirations,” the statement continued.

VICTON Hyung Line Still Staying With IST Entertainment

The statement also addressed the contracts for Seungwoo, Seungsik, and Sejun who have enlisted for military service. IST Entertainment confirmed that the hyung line will continue to be under their management. This is due to their contracts being moved to accommodate their military enlistment.

“These three remaining VICTON members will actively pursue their solo schedules such as their musical roles and/or their mandatory military service duties,” the statement read. It was also noted that the idols “will receive full support from IST Entertainment for various activities in the field.”

Seungwoo was recently discharged while Seungsik is currently carrying out mandatory duties. Sejun will enlist in June this year.

Hanse, Byungchan, and Subin Address IST Entertainment Exit

Since the announcement, the VICTON maknae line has shared letters addressed to ALICEs on their personal Instagram accounts.

“Although the ‘Victon Hanse’ has not been able to fully pay it off to all those who have shared my dream and youth and brightened up the days, he will retreat a feeble step for a giant leap,” Do Hanse wrote. “I believe that the newer ‘Hanse’, soon to be presented, will live up to the debt to finish paying back the love he owes.”

“From 2016, for seven years, I received such great and happy love,” Byungchan wrote. “After only knowing how to receive love, I also learned from ALICE how to give love. That’s why our time together was so precious and were moments I will never be able to forget. To ALICE, who only gave love over this long period of time, thank you and I love you.”

“Regretfully, VICTON has come to walk our separate ways, but I’m trying to move forward with courage and go step by step towards happiness,” Subin wrote. “But sometimes I suddenly get afraid that a moment will come where I think ‘was it a dream?’ about these dream-like memories.”

“I will look back on each of our memories together and cherish them for a long, long time. I hope they will remain as good memories for our ALICE too and become of at least a bit of help,” he added.

VICTON debuted as a seven-member group in November 2016. Original member Heo Chan left the group in October 2022.