Update: Apink's Son Naeun Announces She Is Leaving The Group + Chorong Shares Handwritten Letter To Fans

Apr 08, 2022

Updated April 9 KST:

Following the news that Son Naeun is leaving Apink, group leader Park Chorong has shared a handwritten letter to fans on Instagram.

Read her full letter below:

Hello Pandas [Apink’s fans].

While wondering what words could possibly be of a little bit of comfort to our Pandas, I thought a lot while writing and re-writing this. Even though I know that our Pandas don’t like when we apologize, it hurts my heart so much that as of right now, the only thing I have to say is that I’m sorry. To Pandas who must have been really surprised and very hurt, I want to sincerely say sorry.

After our last special album, all of the members thought and talked a lot about Apink’s future moving forward. As these are the members who have been together for the difficult and happy times over the past 10 years, this moment does not yet feel real to us either.

In order to maintain Apink for 10 years, each member has made numerous sacrifices and put in a lot of effort. Since we know that so well about each other, this is a decision we’ve made after really thinking about what is best for each other.

Although our Pandas must be so sad, I hope that you will watch over our new start. While promoting as five members this time, it was also very difficult for us mentally, and we worked really hard in case Pandas noticed an empty space. In the future, I think we will have to work even harder.

While Pandas’ hearts likely won’t feel better in this moment, I promise that we will show you that we are working harder. Please trust this once that our members are always worried about Pandas and have always prioritized Apink. Let’s cherish our past pretty memories and I hope we can make new happy memories together.

Even if it takes a long time, we will work harder. Once again, I sincerely apologize Pandas. We will greet you again soon with good music.

From leader Chorong.

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Original Article:

Son Naeun has announced that she will be leaving Apink after 11 years.

On April 8, Son Naeun shared a handwritten letter on Instagram in which she revealed that she had decided to part ways with the group.

Her full letter is as follows:

Hello, this is Son Naeun.

I worried a lot about how I should say this, and even now, as I write these words, I’m very nervous.

I will be leaving Apink, with whom I have been together for the past 11 years.

Because Apink is a place like family, with whom I have spent a long time together, I made this difficult decision after a lot of debate, and though it wasn’t an easy decision, I plan to become a Panda [Apink fan] and cheer on Apink starting from now on.

The members… Chorong, Bomi, Eunji, Namjoo, Hayoung… the many people who have worked hard for Apink from the start, including the IST staff, and the fans, who are the most precious of all: as I look back on the times we’ve spent together until now and our memories, there is no way to express all of my feelings through words, but…

I want to sincerely thank from the bottom of my heart everyone who made my teens and twenties the most radiant, who gifted me this happy time.

I will engrave the name “Apink’s Son Naeun” in my heart, and I think showing you better things in the future, so that I don’t bring shame to that name, is one way I can repay you.

Please give lots of love to Apink, and I, too, will be sincerely rooting for them.

Up until now, this has been Apink’s Son Naeun.

Last year, Son Naeun was the only member of Apink not to renew her contract with their longtime agency IST Entertainment (then called Play M). After signing with YG Entertainment as an actress, Son Naeun sat out promotions for the group’s most recent comeback in February.

Meanwhile, IST Entertainment has released a statement announcing that Apink will continue promotions as a five-member group following Son Naeun’s departure.

The agency stated, “Starting with their upcoming 11th anniversary fan song, which is scheduled to be released on April 19, Apink will be reorganized and continue promotions as a five-member group with Park Chorong, Yoon Bomi, Jung Eun Ji, Kim Namjoo, and Oh Hayoung. Son Naeun has ended her activities with the group, and they will be cheering each other on from their separate paths.”