Three members of boy band Victon decide to not renew contracts

Do Han-se, Choi Byung-chan and Jung Su-bin from boy band Victon will not renew their exclusive contract with IST Entertainment, and the boy band will continue its activities with ...

Boy band Victon [YONHAP]

Do Han-se, Choi Byung-chan and Jung Su-bin from boy band Victon will not renew their exclusive contract with IST Entertainment, and the boy band will continue its activities with the remaining three members, announced the agency on Thursday.

“After lengthy discussions with the members facing the termination of their exclusive contracts, we have decided to respect each party's decisions[to not renew with the three members],” IST Entertainment said in its statement.

The remaining three members of the band — Han Seung-woo, who recently completed his mandatory military service, Kang Seung-sik, who is currently serving in the military, and Lim Se-jun, who is preparing for enlistment in June — made adjustments to their exclusive contracts due to their military service and will remain under IST Entertainment for the time being.

“The three members will continue their planned schedules, including solo activities and musical performances. We will continue to support them in various aspects,” the agency added.

“Because all band members have a strong affection for the team, the band will not change its name, and this does not mean that the band is disbanding,” IST Entertainment told the Korea JoongAng Daily on Thursday.

Victon debuted in 2016 with its first EP, “Voice To New World,” as a seven-member boy band. Heo Chan left the band in 2022 after the agency revealed that Heo has been caught drunk driving. The boy band will continue its activities as a three-member band.

BY CHO YONG-JUN [cho.yongjun1@joongang.co.kr]