TraxX has officially left SM Entertainment - 15 years after they debuted as the agency's first-ever rock band artist.
“We recently ended our exclusive contract with TraxX's Jay and Jungmo. We ask that you cheer on their paths in the future as well," the company said in a statement on April 30.
Originally a four-piece group, the group was composed of Jay, Jungmo, Jungwoo, and Minwoo. After Jungwoo and Minwoo, they continued to make music as a duo before becoming an EDM-leaning trio with the addition of DJ-producer Ginjo in 2017.
On their respective Instagram accounts, both Jay and Jungmo shared how they have mixed feelings upon leaving their agency of over 15 years - including their training period.
"I joined as a trainee in 2000, and now 20 years had passed. Now that I'm actually leaving the place where I spent a lot of time and a place that feels like family, I'm getting mixed feelings," Jay wrote.
"I'd like to sincerely thank Lee Soo Man for saying great things to us until the end. To all the people at SM who were with us for a long time, thank you so much," he added, further expressing his gratitude to all their fans who gave them strength until the end.
Sharing the same sentiments, Jungmo recounted: "I started out at SM at 18 years old and debuted at 20 years old. A lot of time has passed since then. It still doesn't feel real that I'm leaving this place which I have so much affection for and promoting. A part of me is nervous but another part of me is excited."
He further hinted he has no plans of slowing down yet as he noted that he plans to "start the second part of [his] life in an awesome way so that [he] won't disappoint many people and so that [his] decision won't go in vain."
He nonetheless thanked the band's fans for their "unchanging love despite all of the twists and turns."
As of writing, it is still unknown whether Ginjo is still with SM Entertainment. But in Jungmo's post, it was written that the DJ-producer "understood and supported" their decision.
For now, the two TraxX members are looking for a new agency to call home.
Since debuting, the group went on to release one studio album and three extended plays. They have also collaborated with other artists like TVXQ.
Their last offering under SM Entertainment was last December’s single, “Escape.”
