The speculations turned out to be true. Oh My Girl’s Jiho is leaving the idol group seven years after their debut. Jiho will be the second member to exit Oh My Girl, following member JinE who left in 2017 due to continued health problems following her anorexia nervosa diagnosis.
Why Jiho is leaving Oh My Girl
Similar to JinE, Jiho also briefly stepped out of the spotlight in January 2020 to focus on her health. Oh My Girl’s agency, WM Entertainment, revealed in a statement that Jiho is dealing with anxiety and other health problems and would need to take a hiatus to recover. By April of the same year, the then 23-year-old returned from her break and joined Oh My Girl in promoting the group’s seventh EP (extended play) Nonstop.
Fast forward to two years later, Jiho has confirmed to her fans, who call themselves “Miracles” (the official fandom name), that she will not renew her contract with WM Entertainment and will leave Oh My Girl. In a handwritten letter, Jiho thanked Oh My Girl fans for their support over the years and added that she will now be joining them as a fellow “Miracle” in cheering her former colleagues. She ended by saying that she can’t share details about her next move yet but hopes for support nonetheless.
WM Ent. has released an official statement regarding OH MY GIRL#OHMYGIRL #오마이걸 @8_OHMYGIRL pic.twitter.com/9MewmMLG2u
— OH MY GIRL Indonesia (@WMOMG_ID) May 9, 2022
WM Entertainment also released an official statement and said that they respect “Jiho’s choice to move toward a new dream”. Reading between the lines, it seems like Jiho will continue to perform but at her own pace. Let’s wish her luck!
(Cover photo from: @jihoa_f)
Next, find out details about BLACKPINK’s possible 2022 comeback.
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