Though rare, some K-pop groups have changed leaders. Keep on reading to know which groups have!
1. EVERGLOW
When EVERGLOW first debuted in 2019, E:U was named the leader of the group. However, in 2021, Sihyeon became the leader of the group.
E:U stated that she is confident that Sihyeon will do well and that she will be a reinforcement by her side as the oldest member. Sihyeon stated that she would help the team work harmoniously together and become a leader who could communicate.
E:U stated that being a leader was not hard. No reason was given as to why the leader suddenly changed, though Sihyeon claimed the switch would be a "new change."
2. WINNER
While WINNER was competing in "WIN: Who is Next," the group's member was Mino. Mino took his role as a leader seriously, but when he suffered an ankle injury during the seventh episode of the show, then-CEO Yang Hyunsuk decided to change the group's leader. This is because, since Mino was injured, he would be unable to lead the team during practices.
Yang Hyunsuk then appointed Seungyoon as the leader. This came as a shock to many, as he was the group's youngest member. The swap took aback the group, with Mino even shedding tears. However, after calming down, Mino gave Seungyoon his blessing as the new leader.
Though Mino ultimately healed from his injury, Seungyoon remained the leader of the group.
3. CLC
When CLC first debuted in 2015, Seunghee was named the leader of the group. However, she stepped down from the leadership role in 2016, and Seungyeon became the leader of CLC.
Seunghee revealed the reason why she stepped down in a fancafe letter. Following the addition of two new members (Eunbin and Elkie), Seunghee decided to step down from the leader position to make CLC more solid. However, as the oldest member, she promised to help Seungyeon lead.
4. Cross Gene
When Cross Gene first debuted in 2012, Takuya was the leader of the group. However, after they finished promoting their first album, "Timeless: Begins," the leader was changed to Shin.
Shin revealed how he became the leader during an appearance on "Quiz to Change the World." After promoting their first album, Takuya revealed that he felt burdened as the leader. That is because, in terms of age, he was in the middle of the group.
After hearing this, Shin told Takuya that he could quit being the leader if he wanted, and he would take the position instead.
5. T-ARA
Unlike traditional K-pop groups with one set leader, T-ARA has a rotational leader system. This is so that every member has the chance to experience what it is like to be a leader.
When they first debuted in 2009, the leader was Jiae. However, she left the group a few months after their debut, and the leader was changed to Eunjung.
In 2010, Boram became the leader. After, Hyomin became the leader in 2011. Then, in 2012, the leader became Soyeon.
In 2014, Qri became the leader of T-ARA. She is currently still T-ARA's leader.
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Written by Alexa Lewis
