FNC Entertainment’s History Of “Failing” Girl Groups

Recently, it was announced that Cherry Bullet would be disbanding after making their debut in 2019. In a statement on their Weverse account, FNC Entertainment thanked fans for supporting the group.

Hello this is FNC Entertainment. First, we would like to thank everyone who has loved and supported Cherry Bullet. We are here to you inform you about future activities for the group.

After long discussion, the agency and Cherry Bullet, we have decided to officially end activities. While Haeyoon, Jiwon, Remi, and May have ended their contracts, members Yuju, Bora, and Chaerin will stay with FNC Entertainment and continue solo activities.We apologize for the sudden news to the fans who have supported Cherry Bullet.

We will always remember the love and support you have given the members. We hope you continue supporting the members in starting a new path. Thank you.

— FNC Entertainment

Many fans were surprised by the announcement, which seemed sudden.  However, over the last few months, there have been some indications that something was amiss with the group, including member May’s oddly timed messages.

Days before the announcement, FNC Entertainment was criticized for mistreating SF9 and Cherry Bullet.

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According to some netizens, this is not the first time that FNC Entertainment has “failed” a girl group.

In 2012, the girl group AOA was formed under FNC Entertainment as an eight-membered group, with one member who was only active when the group was a band.

The group saw a great deal of popularity, which, according to fans, FNC did not manage well. The group lost two members in 2016 and, in 2019, was down to five members following Mina‘s departure when they made their latest comeback.

In 2020, Mina accused the group of bullying her, with a focus on Jimin, who subsequently left the group. From then, every member except Chanmi (now Dohwa) left the company, as FNC Entertainment did not announce whether the group had disbanded and was said to have done basically nothing to address the scandal.

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Some have also called out the company’s Japanese division for their treatment of PRIKIL. Originally a five-membered group, the PRIKIL is now made up of three members and have not had a comeback.

The group’s X account has been inactive since November 2023, when it was only mainly to promote member Nana‘s debut in UNIS.

While no one blames the company’s boy groups, it seems there is evidence of fans’ claims that FNC mismanaged its girl groups.