PENTAGON’s Hongseok Says Goodbye To Cube Entertainment
PENTAGON’s Hongseok has announced his departure from Cube Entertainment, becoming the sixth member of the group to leave the agency. The news was confirmed by both Cube Entertainment and PENTAGON on November 6, 2023, through official statements.
English translation of the official statement:
Hello. This is Cube Entertainment.
First, we would like to thank UNIVERSE (PENTAGON’s official fan club) who love and support PENTAGON.
We would like to deliver an official statement regarding the termination of the exclusive contract between Cube Entertainment and PENTAGON member Hongseok.
We had sufficient discussions and conversations with Hongseok regarding his future activities. As a result, we mutually agreed to end his exclusive contract.
We convey our gratitude for Hongseok, who fully showcased his passion and talents as [an artist] under Cube Entertainment after debuting as [a member of] PENTAGON, and we anticipate and root for Hongseok as he takes an even more dazzling leap forward.
We ask for your warm support and encouragement for PENTAGON’s Hongseok, who will start anew after departing Cube Entertainment.
Thank you.
Hongseok joined Cube Entertainment in 2014, after competing in the survival show “Mix & Match” for a spot in iKON. He debuted as a member of PENTAGON in 2016, after participating in another survival show “Pentagon Maker”. He has been active as a singer, actor, and variety show star, showcasing his versatile talents and charms. He recently completed his military service in December 2022, after being medically discharged due to health reasons.
Cube Entertainment stated that they have decided to respect Hongseok’s wishes and terminate his exclusive contract. They expressed their gratitude to Hongseok for his hard work and dedication, and wished him all the best for his future endeavors. They also asked fans to continue to support Hongseok and PENTAGON, who will be promoting as nine members from now on.
PENTAGON also released a handwritten letter to their fans, Universe, explaining their situation and assuring them that they will continue as a group despite the label change. They thanked Hongseok for his contribution to the group, and expressed their love and support for him. They also apologized for causing any worry or inconvenience to their fans, and promised to work harder and show their best sides.
Hongseok also wrote in Instagram stories, “2015~2023. Cube Entertainment, which I spent about nine years together with. Thanks to [Cube Entertainment], I met a team called PENTAGON and gained new brothers. More than anything else, it has been a continuation of happy times since meeting UNIVERSE. I will continue to impress everyone going forward. Thank you as always!”
Hongseok has not yet revealed his plans for his future activities, but fans are hoping that he will find a new agency that suits his goals and vision. He is the second member of PENTAGON to leave Cube Entertainment, following E’Dawn who left in 2018.
Other former members of PENTAGON who have left the agency include Jinho, Hui, Yeo One, and Yan An, who have all enlisted in the military.
We hope that Hongseok will be happy and healthy, and that he will continue to share his music and talent with us. We also hope that PENTAGON will keep shining as a group and as individuals.
The KTruth