WinWin, Heeseung And More: Every KPop Idol Departure In 2026

The year 2026 has witnessed a striking wave of departures from some of the most prominent acts in K-pop, highlighting the genre’s fluid group dynamics and the shifting ambitions of its idols. Between January and July, several influential artists have concluded their tenures with their original groups, signaling notable changes for their fanbases and the industry at large.

In early March, Heeseung, the eldest member and lead vocalist of ENHYPEN, announced his exit from the group to embark on a solo career while remaining under the same label, Belift Lab, which is affiliated with HYBE. This departure came shortly after ENHYPEN’s seventh mini-album achieved remarkable commercial success, underscoring a surprising timing that caught many by surprise. Heeseung has since reemerged as a solo artist under the name EVAN, marking a new chapter for the performer.

Shortly after, ZEROBASEONE, a nine-member ensemble created through the 2023 survival show Boys Planet, officially concluded its group activities in March following an agreed extension beyond their initial contract lifespan. The group’s final performance was a symbolic farewell that ushered in a bifurcation: four members returned to their previous agency YH Entertainment to launch a new act, AND2BLE, which quickly gained traction with strong debut sales, while the remaining five continued as a restructured iteration of ZEROBASEONE under WakeOne.

Arguably the most unexpected departure this year came in April when Mark Lee, a founding and central figure in NCT and its multiple sub-units, ended his exclusive contract with SM Entertainment after ten years. His exit affected three units – NCT, NCT 127, and NCT Dream – all of which will continue without him. Mark’s multifaceted role and consistent presence across the expanding NCT roster made his departure particularly impactful. Following this, Mark has taken steps to establish his independence by founding his own label, signaling a move toward greater artistic control.

Around the same time, Ten, another long-standing member of NCT and WayV, also concluded his exclusive contract with SM Entertainment; however, unlike Mark, Ten remains affiliated with the groups themselves. His contract restructuring allows him to explore solo ventures through his newly formed creative company, Illimnt, which encompasses music, fashion, and other content areas. This arrangement reflects a growing trend where idols compartmentalize their solo careers separate from group activities while maintaining group connections.

The most recent and final announced change as of mid-2026 involves WinWin’s departure from both NCT and WayV after a decade-long tenure. His contract expiration led to an official exit, although WinWin had been focusing increasingly on solo pursuits in China, including acting and variety shows, for several years prior. His formal departure cements the transformation of NCT’s composition since its 2016 debut.

These successive departures within a compressed timeframe illustrate the evolving nature of K-pop idols’ career trajectories. Traditionally, idol contracts and group formations have been tightly controlled, with limited flexibility for individual pursuits. However, the rise of the creator economy and shifting industry paradigms have empowered established idols to pursue independent paths once contractual obligations conclude.

This year’s developments underscore a broader industry pattern: artists leveraging their accumulated fanbases and market presence to transition from group dependencies to solo careers or entrepreneurial ventures. Such moves not only reflect personal ambitions but also highlight the changing economic incentives in South Korea’s music scene.

As 2026 progresses, the K-pop landscape continues to adapt, balancing the stability of established groups with the dynamic aspirations of individual artists. The departures of Heeseung, members of ZEROBASEONE, Mark, Ten, and WinWin serve as emblematic cases of this ongoing transformation, reshaping some of the scene’s most influential ensembles and setting new precedents for career evolution within the genre.