TWICE’s Chaeyoung Announces JYP Exit To Start New Venture

Chaeyoung of TWICE And Chaeyoung of LIL FANTASY

Chaeyoung, 27, is TWICE’s main rapper and sub-vocalist. She joined JYP Entertainment as a trainee at 13 and debuted with TWICE in 2015 through the EP The Story Begins. She trained for nearly three years before earning her place in the nine-member group through JYP’s survival programme Sixteen.

Within TWICE, Chaeyoung has been creatively autonomous from an early stage. She was the first TWICE member to receive a songwriting credit — writing the rap verse for the group’s 2016 track “Precious Love” — and later designed the limited-edition cover for TWICE’s Page Two album. Her artistic work extends into visual illustration and fashion, with her tattoos and styling choices making her a distinctively individual presence in the group’s lineup.

Her health has been a recurring concern in recent years. In November 2025, JYP announced she had been diagnosed with vasovagal syncope and would participate only in selected activities through the end of the year to prioritise rest. She also experienced lower back discomfort earlier this year, which delayed some of her scheduled activities,

Unlike Jeongyeon, who signed with an existing agency in VARO Entertainment, Chaeyoung appears to be moving toward an independent creative structure under her own LIL FANTASY banner — the same name as her September 2025 debut solo album LIL FANTASY vol.1. The album drew on R&B, neo soul, trip hop, dream pop, and bedroom pop, with Chaeyoung credited as a producer alongside collaborators including Gliiico, Slom, and Sumin. Her departure from JYP suggests the next chapter of the LIL FANTASY project will be self-directed rather than label-managed.

The Wider Picture For TWICE

TWICE has nine members — leader Jihyo, Nayeon, Momo, Mina, Sana, Chaeyoung, Jeongyeon, Dahyun and Tzuyu. They are one of the industry’s longest-running girl groups with an unbroken lineup, which is no small feat with these many members and presumably non-homogenous aspirations.

ForbesKPop Group SEVENTEEN’s Contract Renewal Breaks A Longstanding TraditionBy Hannah Abraham

As previously mentioned during Jeongyeon’s exit, Chaeyoung’s departure had been anticipated since July, when Korean media reported she had been meeting with other entertainment companies. JYP Entertainment responded at the time by confirming only that “TWICE is currently in the process of negotiating their contract renewals.” TWICE leader Jihyo and member Tzuyu have also been reported to be exploring departures. Neither has confirmed anything officially, but it looks like more announcements can be expected in the coming days.

Two label departures in three days, both accompanied by explicit reassurances that TWICE group activities will continue unchanged, suggest the transition is proceeding as planned rather than as a rupture. Whether this model is likely to work has been discussed here after Jeongyeon’s exit from JYP.

ForbesWhat Jeongyeon’s JYP Exit Means For TWICEBy Hannah Abraham

TWICE Chaeyoung’s Full Statement

Hello, this is Chaeyoung.

I wanted to share this with ONCE first my family, who has always been by my side.

I’m so excited to step into a new chapter and bring my new LIL FANTASY, a world where I can explore and build my music.

I want to deeply thank everyone at JYP and Team TWICE for believing in and supporting me over the past 14 years.
And to my TWICE members, who are always my strength and biggest supporters thank you, and I love you beyond words.

Most of all, please know that nothing changes with TWICE. Everything I’ve received is thanks to my time as TWICE, which will always be my roots.

I hope both Chaeyoung of TWICE and Chaeyoung in LIL FANTASY can continue to create music that brings meaning to you as well.
This is a new challenge for me, and I promise to keep growing into an even better person and artist.

Thank you for always believing in me.

I love you!