Where is Jang Gyuri Now? Status of Former fromis_9 Member After Leaving Group
In January 2018, fromis_9 debuted with a total of nine members after competing on the Mnet survival program Idol School in 2017. Since their debut, all nine members remained together despite changes in their managing label, to which it is currently Pledis Entertainment. However, Jang Gyuri suddenly announced her departure from the group, making her the first member to do so.
More than a month after departing from the group, what has Jang Gyuri been up to? Keep on reading to know Jang Gyuri's current status.
Jang Gyuri's Activities Before Leaving fromis_9
When Jang Gyuri competed on Idol School, she finished ninth place, earning her a spot to become a member of fromis_9. As a member of the group, she served as the lead vocalist and face of fromis_9. She promoted with the group since their official debut in January 2018 with their first mini album "To. Heart."
Jang Gyuri
With fromis_9, Jang Gyuri joined the group in all of their promotions and activities, having released five mini albums and four single albums with them.
Over the next four years, Jang Gyuri also appeared on magazine pictorials, broadcasts, and endorsement deals with her fellow fromis_9 members. In fact, she grew to become one of the most popular members in the group, for not only her vocals, but also for her visuals.
Why Did Jang Gyuri Leave fromis_9?
While promoting as a member of fromis_9, Jang Gyuri joined the third season of Mnet's Produce series in 2018, Produce 48. There, Jang Gyuri competed for a chance to join Mnet's project girl group, which was IZ*ONE. She also revealed that she joined to show hoping to grow and improve herself. Unfortunately, she was eliminated in the third round of eliminations, finishing at rank No. 25.
Jang Gyuri
Not long after, Jang Gyuri ventured into an acting career. She was able to make her debut as an actress with a main role in the web drama Dating Class in May 2019.
Prior to her official acting debut, Jang Gyuri had made a cameo appearance in the KBS2 drama Ms. Perfect as a student back in 2017, a little less than a year before making her debut as a K-pop idol.
After her role in Dating Class, Jang Gyuri secured a supporting role in the 2020 hit drama It's Okay to Not Be Okay, which gained her more recognition as an actress.
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Jang Gyuri
However, despite her position in fromis_9, Pledis Entertainment announced her departure from the group on July 31, 2022 after her contract expired. According to Pledis Entertainment, "from our Memento Box" was the last promotional activity Jang Gyuri had with the group, as fromis_9 will continue to promote with only eight members.
Pledis Entertainment also revealed that Jang Gyuri was the only member who did not sign an exclusive contract with the label, as she maintained her contract with her former label prior to fromis_9 moving to Pledis Entertainment for management.
Thus, Jang Gyuri decided not to sign a contract as she wishes to embark on a new journey individually.
Jang Gyuri
Jang Gyuri's Current Status After Leaving fromis_9
As Jang Gyuri's departure from fromis_9 was only recent, her budding solo career is only beginning.
Just recently on August 29, it was announced that Jang Gyuri has found a new label to manage her future activities. From here on, the former fromis_9 member will be managed by Just Entertainment as an actress.
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On her new label, Jang Gyuri said, "I am going to be working with Just Entertainment. I think I will be able to greet you [fans] in various ways as an actress from now on. Please look forward to [my acting] in the future."
So far, Jang Gyuri has one project lined up. In the second half of 2022, she is set to star in the upcoming SBS drama Cheer Up, which will mark her first project after leaving the group.
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Written by Robyn Joan
