Kep1er will continue their activities as a six-member group after Seo Youngeun officially left the girl band following an extended hiatus. On March 6, 2026, WAKEONE and KLAP Entertainment shared the update in a statement posted on the group’s official social media accounts. The announcement explained that the group will now move forward with Choi Yujin, Shen Xiaoting, Kim Chaehyun, Kim Dayeon, Hikaru Ezaki, and Huening Bahiyyih. Meanwhile, Seo Youngeun, who had been a Kep1er member since the group debuted in 2022, has now ended her journey with the group after being away from activities due to her hiatus.
According to the agencies, the decision came after a long period of discussion about her future. They said both sides carefully considered what direction would be best and eventually agreed that leaving the group was the right choice for the 21-year-old idol. The remaining members also showed support for her decision and respected her choice. The agencies thanked Seo Youngeun for her sincerity, hard work, and passion during her time in Kep1er, and they said they would continue to support her as she begins the next stage of her career.
Seo Youngeun first paused her activities in July 2025 because of worsening health issues. As a result, she did not participate in the group’s comeback in August 2025 or their concert tour. After an eight-month hiatus, her exit has now been confirmed. While this marks the end of one chapter for the artist, it also starts a new chapter for Kep1er. The agencies asked fans to continue showing support both to Seo Youngeun and to the six members as their careers move forward.
Read the full statement below:
