One member in most K-pop groups is appointed as the leader. Unfortunately, not all leaders stay in the team for some reason, and as a result, their groups continue without someone to guide them. Here are four idol groups who lost their leaders first.
4 K-pop Groups Whose Leaders Left First
2PM
Originally consisting of seven members, 2PM now has only six members. The group's leader, Jaebeom (now professionally called Jay Park) left the group in September 2009 following the controversy concerning his Myspace posts in 2005. In those posts he expressed his dislike for Korea, offending many people. At that time, he was still a JYP Entertainment trainee.
ALSO READ: 10 Pairs of K-pop Idols Who Share the Same Full Name
Jaebeom issued an apology regarding this matter, but netizens demanded that he should be kicked out of the group. On Sept. 8, he personally announced his departure from 2PM and his plan to return to the United States.
That being the case, 2PM continued as a six-member group, but they didn't choose a new leader.
iKON
Another K-pop group who lost its leader due to scandal is iKON. B.I was embroiled in a drug scandal after Dispatch released an exclusive report stating that he attempted to purchase illegal drugs, such as marijuana and LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide) in 2016, but the police did not investigate him despite being aware of this.
READ MORE: 6 Pairs of K-Pop Idols Who Can Pass Off as Siblings
The report was released on June 12, 2019, which was also the day when B.I left iKON. It was the same day when he released an apology. He admitted to his mistake which he made when he was going through a hard and painful time.
B.I was sentenced to three years in prison suspended for four years of probation together with 80 hours of community service, 40 hours of a drug treatment course, and an additional fine of 1.5 million won.
Like 2PM, iKON also didn't assign a new leader after B.I's departure.
AB6IX
Next, we have Brand New Music's boy group AB6IX, who initially comprised five members until their leader Youngmin withdrew from the team in June 2020 due to his DUI (driving under influence). He was caught drunk driving by the police on May 31 when he was on his way home after privately meeting up with his acquaintances for drinks.
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: 5 Idols Who Can Afford Supercars But Can't Drive
Following his departure from the band, Youngmin enlisted in the military and remained an artist under Brand New Music until present time. He was discharged from the military in May 2022.
AB6IX also seems to carry out activities without a new leader as there was no official announcement made.
OnlyOneOf
Finally, OnlyOneOf is the latest K-pop group who lost their leader due to departure. Unlike the three groups listed above, their leader wasn't involved in any scandal.
On Aug. 2, 2021, the band's management agency 8D Entertainment announced that Love will leave the team. They explained that his decision concerns his personal life, hence, no further details were provided.
Love's departure resulted in OnlyOneOf being reorganized as a six-member boy group and having no leader as well.
Do you know other K-pop groups whose leader was the first member to leave the team? If yes, name them in the comments section below!
For more K-Pop news and updates, keep your tabs open here at KpopStarz.
KpopStarz owns this article
Written by Maria Scott
