Seola [Newsis]
Seola [Newsis]

Seola, lead vocalist of girl group Cosmic Girls, has written a letter marking her departure from Starship Entertainment after 15 years with the agency.

"I have decided to leave Starship Entertainment, with whom I spent 15 years, and make a new beginning," Seola said Thursday on her Instagram account.

"From the moment I first connected with Starship to becoming the Seola I am today, we have passed through so many seasons together," she wrote. "The time I spent nurturing my dreams as a trainee, the moment I first stood on stage as a Cosmic Girls member, the moments I was able to share music under my own name — looking back, Starship was always there beside so many of my firsts and precious memories."

She went on to say, "Within those 15 long years, there was so much to learn — days of joy and overwhelming emotion, and days when things did not go as I had hoped. But through all of that time, I was able to learn and grow so much. I believe all of those moments made me who I am today."

Seola also expressed gratitude to everyone at the agency. "Above all, I sincerely thank everyone at Starship Entertainment who stayed by my side through it all, sharing in my worries, putting in the effort, and helping create so many moments together," she said. "I will cherish the time and the feelings we shared for a long time to come."

She also addressed her fans, known as "Woojung." "I also want to make sure I say this to Woojung, who have always stood by my side," she wrote. "It is because of the love and support you have sent me that I was able to keep doing the music I love and stand on stage without wearing out through all this time. I am truly grateful and happy that the path I have walked is filled with miracles shared with Woojung."

"Starting down a new path still feels a little unfamiliar and nerve-wracking for me," Seola said, "but I will walk forward one step at a time, at my own pace, with all my heart."

Meanwhile, Starship Entertainment also posted on its Instagram account the same day. "We sincerely express our gratitude to Seola, who has been with Starship for so long," the agency said. "We will long remember every moment and precious memory we shared. We will wholeheartedly cheer for every step Seola takes as she embarks on this new journey, wishing her happiness and all good things."


yul@heraldcorp.com