The departure of Heeseung from ENHYPEN has sent shockwaves across the K-pop industry, leaving fans devastated by the sudden news. While lineup changes are not uncommon in the fast-paced world of K-pop, some member exits have stunned fans due to their unexpected timing or the controversies surrounding them.

Here are several departures from K-pop groups that shocked both fans and the industry.

Arguably one of the most shocking and controversial departures involved Soojin, a standout member of the girl group (G)I-DLE under Cube Entertainment.

Her exit followed allegations that she bullied a classmate during her high school years. The accusations sparked intense public scrutiny and debate online. Although some claims were later disputed by supporters, the controversy significantly affected the group’s public image.

Cube Entertainment eventually announced her departure in 2021, and (G)I-DLE continued promotions as a five-member group. Years later, Soojin made her long-awaited return to the industry by debuting as a solo artist, much to the excitement of fans who had supported her through the controversy.

Following the survival show R U Next?, several trainees were expected to debut in the girl group ILLIT under BELIFT LAB. Among them was Youngseo, who gained attention for her vocal ability and strong stage presence during the competition.

However, before the group’s official debut, the agency announced that she would no longer be part of the lineup. The sudden announcement surprised fans who had followed her journey throughout the survival show.

She later returned to the industry as the main vocalist of the co-ed group ALLDAY PROJECT under The Black Label, and many of her supporters expressed excitement to see her back performing on stage.