HYBE Labels Prevents fromis_9 Members From Using Group Name After Contract Expiration
Former fromis_9 members are facing an uphill battle as HYBE Labels appears to be preventing them from using their group name under their new agency, ASND. The HYBE Labels prevents fromis_9 members situation has become increasingly tense following cryptic messages from Lee Chaeyoung and Baek Jiheon on their fan communication platform. These messages strongly imply that negotiations for retaining their beloved group identity have hit serious roadblocks, leaving both the idols and fans concerned about their future.
As of December 31, 2024, eight members of fromis_9—Lee Saerom, Song Hayoung, Park Jiwon, Noh Jisun, Lee Seoyeon, Lee Chaeyoung, Lee Nakyung, and Baek Jiheon—parted ways with Pledis Entertainment after their contracts expired. Five of these members quickly found a new home at ASND in January 2025, with hopes high for continuing their careers under the name that launched them to fame.
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Emotional Messages Reveal HYBE Labels Prevents fromis_9 Members’ Struggles
Lee Chaeyoung’s heartfelt message to fans revealed the painful reality that HYBE Labels prevents fromis_9 members from using their name freely. She wrote, “flover, I promise I’ll come back as fromis_9. I really want to. I want to call flover by your name. But if we end up coming back with a different name that’s not fromis_9, you still have to love us, okay? It’s not up to us…”
Her emotional plea continued with a promise to protect both the group and fan identity, showing how deeply this struggle has affected the members. The uncertainty in her words indicates that despite their best efforts, they may be forced to rebrand entirely.
Baek Jiheon echoed similar sentiments in her own message, revealing deeper frustrations with the negotiation process. “We’re just trying our best to protect our group name. I wish that others wouldn’t try to take advantage of that,” she stated, clearly implying that HYBE Labels prevents fromis_9 members from fair negotiations. Her comment about wanting “just the kinds of negotiations that ordinary people go through” suggests that the terms being offered are unreasonable or exploitative.
Fans React to HYBE Labels Preventing fromis_9 Members’ Name Usage
The news that HYBE Labels prevents fromis_9 members from using their group name has sparked significant backlash among fans and netizens. Comments referencing HYBE’s past handling of GFRIEND and concerns about other groups like SEVENTEEN show a pattern that many find troubling. One netizen remarked, “This is the fate that awaits every HYBE idol group,” while another pointed out, “You can tell from GFRIEND that HYBE isn’t going to give up on anything it owns.”
The situation raises important questions about ownership in the K-pop industry. While companies often retain rights to group names and intellectual property, many fans feel the practice is unfair to the artists who built those brands with their talent and hard work. Some commenters suggested that typically, groups can purchase their name rights from former companies, leading to speculation that “Pledis put a price on the group name that they couldn’t afford.”
Jiheon’s hint that fans might be “shocked” if she revealed more suggests there may be additional unreasonable demands or conditions that HYBE is imposing beyond simple financial compensation.
Final Thoughts on How HYBE Labels Prevents fromis_9 Members From Moving Forward
The struggle over the fromis_9 name represents more than just a legal battle—it’s about identity, legacy, and the relationship between artists and the companies that manage them. As HYBE Labels prevents fromis_9 members from using the name they helped build, both idols and fans face an uncertain future.
Whether the members will eventually secure rights to their name or be forced to debut anew remains to be seen. What’s clear is their commitment to staying together despite these obstacles. As fans await further developments, many wonder: will public pressure influence HYBE’s decisions, or will the former fromis_9 members have to forge a completely new path forward? What do you think is fair in situations where idols leave their original companies?