After six years of captivating performances, international tours, and a loyal fanbase, the third-generation K-pop girl group EVERGLOW officially parted ways with Yuehua Entertainment, but their unexpected farewell has raised more questions than answers. As fans mourn the group’s sudden disbandment, a deeper question has emerged:

Was this simply the end of a contract, or is there a more troubling story about how K-pop agencies operate behind the scenes?

EVERGLOW History:

EVERGLOW debuted in 2019 under Yuehua Entertainment, making an immediate impact with their bold concepts, fierce performances, and undeniable stage presence. In the early years, they were unstoppable while releasing music regularly, building an international fanbase, and earning a reputation as one of the most promising girl groups of the third generation.

But by 2022, the momentum began to slow. A hiatus was announced, one that fans were told would only last a few months. As weeks turned into months and months into nearly two years, silence from the agency grew into dangerous concern. EVERGLOW’s absence stretched to a staggering 20 months, during which fans feared that their favorite group might never return. Then, in 2023, a spark of hope came in the form of the group making their long-awaited comeback with their fourth single album, All My Girls. For many, this felt like a turning point. Fans hoped it marked a new beginning, a return to consistency, and the recognition EVERGLOW had long deserved.

But that hope was short-lived.

Since their comeback, the group has only had a handful of releases, leaving fans frustrated and disappointed. Accusations of mismanagement resurfaced, louder than ever. Longtime fans had been raising red flags for years, pointing out the group’s lack of official merchandise, absence of a lightstick, no seasonal greetings, lack of promotions, and inconsistent content. Despite their talent and potential, EVERGLOW seemed to be fading, not because of a lack of interest, but because of neglect.

Wang Yiren’s Shocking Claims:

The controversy however deepend on EVERGLOW’s sixth anniversary in March 2025, when the Chinese member Wang Yiren dropped a bombshell that sent shockwaves through the fandom. Through a heartfelt message on the platform Bubble, Yiren revealed a truth that, since their debut, she had never received a single payment from the company. Her words carried the weight of years of silence and frustration, as she opened up to fans and said

I love the stage very much but in a sense I have zero income, but I don’t want to give up this career? In reality we haven’t settled yet, not once. So, the tour is really what we want to show our fans, and we are working hard to prepare.

EVERGLOW had a string of successful comebacks during their four years as an active girl group, with album sales and streaming numbers steadily climbing each time. Yet, despite their growing popularity, it was revealed that the five members never truly got to enjoy the fruits of their hard work, because, according to Yiren, none of them received any payment at all. She further revealed to fans that for the entire six years since their debut, not a single member had been paid by the company.

While it’s no secret that many idols face financial struggles early in their careers, like battling trainee debts and delayed paychecks, this was something entirely unexpected. The news ignited outrage online, with netizens demanding justice for EVERGLOW and calling on Yuehua Entertainment to settle the members’ unpaid dues immediately.

Fans, on the other hand, were left in shock and disbelief because it became painfully clear that EVERGLOW’s four years of relentless comebacks, live shows, and international tours, all the revenue generated from album sales and streams, had gone straight to the company, without a single penny reaching the members themselves.

In response to the allegations, Du Hua, CEO of Yuehua Entertainment, appeared during a promotional event for an upcoming variety show and addressed Yiren’s statements. She said,

I must explain this. I asked about her and the company’s situation. When she debuted, the company invested a relatively large sum of money, so that money hasn’t been returned to the company yet.

While Du Hua might have thought this explanation would calm fans, it had the opposite effect. Netizens grew even more outraged, pointing out that EVERGLOW had generated billions through album sales, concerts, and streaming. Many questioned how the company’s initial investment could still be unpaid, given such success. Fans also criticized Yuehua Entertainment, arguing that if the company wanted to recover its investment, it should have provided better promotion and support for EVERGLOW.

Finally, Good News For EVERGLOW Fans!

Last week, Yuehua Entertainment finally broke the silence with an official statement that EVERGLOW would not be renewing their contracts, which are set to expire next month in June 2025. This announcement instantly sparked a whirlwind of speculation online about whether this was the end of EVERGLOW as a group. Fans feared their disbandment after years of struggle and silence. But those fears were soon laid to rest by none other than group leader Sihyeon.

Shortly after Yuehua’s announcement, Sihyeon went live on TikTok to speak directly to fans. With calm yet determined words, she assured everyone that while all the members had decided to leave Yuehua Entertainment, they were committed to staying together as a group. Her message was a balm to worried fans. Sihyeon emphasized that the decision to part ways with Yuehua was mutual, something the members wanted deeply, and what fans had hoped for as well. When asked about the future, she said,

Of course, we will still stay a group. All the members think the same thing. Every fan wants us to leave YueHua, isn’t it?

While the future of EVERGLOW remains uncertain, one thing is crystal clear that the group is not disbanding and will stay together. This reassurance sparked a wave of joy across social media, as netizens celebrated the end of years of mistreatment and neglect. Fans are now eagerly looking forward to EVERGLOW’s next chapter, cheering for their freedom and hoping they find a new agency that truly values and supports them.

Talking about companies, already, several major agencies are reportedly competing to sign the group, including P.Nation, founded by PSY, One Hundred, home to The Boyz, and AT Area. But as of now, EVERGLOW has yet to make a final decision on their next home.

For fans and the group alike, this is a chance to finally shine on their own terms.