K Pop fans across the globe were shocked to learn about the departure of former Girls' Generation member Jessica Jung from SM Entertainment. This is the first time in the history of the popular South Korean record label that a celebrity has left the agency without any legal dispute. Now, the buzz is that EXO member Tao aka Huang Zi Tao may be the next to leave.
The 27-year-old America-born Korean entertainer, Jessica, left the girl group in September 2014 to pursue a career in fashion designing. She held several discussions with the firm in the last two years, but finally decided to terminate her contract.
On 6 August, both the parties released official statements announcing their decision to part ways. While SM Entertainment stated that the celeb "is going to start on a new path", Jessica thanked the agency and her followers for all their love and support, according to AllKpop.
"I will also do my best to live up to my fans expectations. I would like to ask you to watch over my new beginning," stated Jessica.
Following this, it was being speculated if the Korean entertainer was gearing up to make her solo debut in China soon, but her legal representative denied it. "The articles that claim that Jessica has finished recording an album are completely false," Soompi quoted the representative.
Meanwhile, a source close to her recently revealed that she is currently in search of an entertainment agency that can promote her both in China and Korea. "There are a lot of things for her to take care of including figuring out a place of residence as well as advertisement shootings. She plans to continue her career as a singer as well as work on her fashion brand," Koreaboo quoted the source.
Jessica is expected to appear in an upcoming Chinese variety show, "Yes! Coach". Other celebrities to appear in the programme include Joey Yung, Aarif Rahman, Joey Yung and Michelle Chen.
The show, which will premiere on Dragon Television on Friday, 7 August, will focus on the various challenges faced by the cast members as they learn swimming from professional coaches.
While the former Girls' Generation member is taking a new step in her professional life, EXO member Tao is struggling to take a decision about his contract with SM Entertainment. Although the celeb made his solo debut in China last month, he is yet to terminate his agreement with the record label.
So, it remains to be seen whether the 22-year-old singer will bid adieu to the company through a mutual agreement or end up in a legal dispute.
