Sad and unexpected news met fans of boy group ENOi as agency Kithewhale Entertainment announced the team’s disbandment on January 22nd, less than two years after their debut!
In a statement posted on the official fancafe, the company revealed that after significant discussions, the decision to disband was made.
Four members (Laon, Dojin, Hamin, and Gun) decided to renew their contracts with the agency for individual activities while Avin, Jinwoo, and J-Kid chose to part ways with the company upon their contracts’ expiration on January 31st KST.
ENOi made a unique and refreshing origin story within the K-pop industry in April 19th, 2019 with leader Laon personally recruiting each member of the group in addition to writing and co-composing the group’s debut track, “Bloom.”
A lesser known “self-producing” idol group, ENOi had a hand in everything the group did, from concepts to music video and album planning. Each member played direct roles within the group and were in charge of various things such as Laon planning all of ENOi’s events, J-Kid acting as the main choreographer, and Avin taking charge of filming and producing content in the team.
Hamin, Dojin, and Laon also participated in writing lyrics. ENOi had not released a single track without at least one or more of them credited as lead writers of the song. Additionally, almost every video on the group’s official YouTube Channel was released with English subtitles for the convenience of global fans.
ENOi released a total of three albums: Red In The Apple, a special album For RAYS Realize All Your Star, and most recently W.A.Y (雨 – WhereAreYou).
Along with the statement below, Kithewhale Entertainment subsequently announced that ENOI’s official fancafe and SNS accounts will be closing on January 31st KST.
Hello
Kithewhale Entertainment
This is Kithewhale Entertainment.
First of all, thank you so much to the fans who love and care about our group ENOi.
I would like to inform you of our official position regarding the termination of the exclusive contract of the group ENOi members and the disbandment of the team.
After long in-depth discussion and deliberation with the members, we have reached upon an agreement between the two sides, except for ENOi members ‘Laon, Dojin, Hamin and Gun’. The three “Avin, Jinwoo, and J-Kid” decided to terminate their exclusive contract with us at the end of January 31, 2021.
I’d like to apologize to the fans who always support us for this unfortunate news.
As it was a matter of careful choice, we thought a lot about it, and after discussion, we decided to respect the wishes of the ENOi members, and concluded the disbandment of ENOi and the termination of the contract with us.
Members Laon, Dojin, Hamin, and Gun expressed their desire to stay with us, and we will actively support Laon, Dojin, Hamin, and Gun for stable personal activities, and we will provide full support to promote more active and diverse activities.
Also, I would like to express my deep gratitude to Avin, Jinwoo, and J-Kid, who left their current agency, and although the official contract will end, I will sincerely support the path they will take in the future.
As it is an important matter, I sincerely apologize for the delay in delivering the news to the fans in order to make a careful choice. Lastly, please continue to support the future of the four ENOi members, and Avin, Jinwoo, and J-Kid, who are about to start anew.
We are sad to see such a great group unable to continue but we continue to support and wish them all the best for their new beginnings and future endeavours!
Let us know your thoughts by tweeting to us @whatthekpop1!
Justin is a K-pop fan from Australia, developing a passion for shining a spotlight on underrated and lesser known groups. A professional procrastinator who is currently spends his post-lockdown time trying to figure out how to interact with other humans, while seeking out the company of fictional ones through his favourite tv shows and dramas.
MEDIA: Kithewhale Entertainment