No, UP10TION has not disbanded. The group continues to exist, even though there have been changes regarding its members' agency contracts.
Current Status of UP10TION
Despite some members departing from their agency, TOP Media, UP10TION officially remains an active group. This distinction between an individual's agency contract and their status within a group is common in the K-pop industry.
Key Details:
- Agency Departure: Five members of UP10TION—Kuhn, Kogyeol, Bitto, Sunyoul, and Gyujin—concluded their exclusive contracts with TOP Media and subsequently left the agency.
- Group Continuation: Even after leaving TOP Media, the agency explicitly stated that these five members, along with the other members, would remain part of the 7-member group UP10TION. This announcement clarifies that their individual contract termination does not equate to the group's disbandment.
This situation highlights that a group's existence is not always solely tied to all members being under the same management agency. While agency changes can affect group activities and future releases, they do not automatically signify disbandment unless explicitly stated by the group or their management.
Understanding Agency Contracts vs. Group Status
It's important to differentiate between an idol's contract with their management agency and their membership in a group.
- Agency Contract: This is a legal agreement between an individual artist and an entertainment company, covering their management, promotions, and activities.
- Group Membership: This refers to an artist's status as a part of a collective musical act. Members can continue to be part of a group even if their agency contracts change, or if they join different agencies, especially if the group has established a brand or collective identity.
In UP10TION's case, the members' decision to leave TOP Media was a change in their individual management, but it was confirmed that they would still collectively operate as UP10TION.
