Yuri parts ways with SM after 19 years but will keep performing with Girls’ Generation

Yuri, a founding member of K-pop powerhouse Girls’ Generation, will conclude her contract with SM Entertainment on Aug. 31, the agency said Friday — but the singer and actor will continue performing with the group.

"After in-depth discussions with Kwon Yu-ri, we have mutually agreed to conclude our 19-year journey together as of Aug. 31," said SM Entertainment. "Even after the contract ends, Yuri’s activities with Girls’ Generation will remain unchanged."

What changed and what stays the same

The announcement closes a nearly two-decade professional relationship between Yuri and one of Korea’s largest entertainment companies. Yuri first rose to prominence when she debuted as part of Girls’ Generation in 2007, contributing to a run of hits that helped define modern K-pop, including songs such as Into The New World, Genie and the 2010 breakout Gee.

In recent years, Yuri expanded beyond idol activities into acting. Her screen work includes the mystery thriller film Somebody (2024) and the JTBC series The Art of Negotiation (2025). Those projects signaled a common career pivot for established idols seeking diversified creative opportunities.

Industry context and potential consequences

The announcement follows a familiar pattern in K-pop: long-serving members leave their agencies after completing multiple contract cycles while maintaining ties to their original groups. Management arrangements vary — some artists leave and cease group activities, others negotiate separate agreements to continue performing together. SM’s explicit assurance that Yuri’s group activities will continue suggests a negotiated framework to preserve Girls’ Generation’s ensemble presence even as individual careers evolve.

• Duration: Yuri’s relationship with SM spanned 19 years.
• Contract end date: Aug. 31, 2026.
• Group continuity: SM stated Yuri will keep participating in Girls’ Generation activities despite the contract conclusion.

For Girls’ Generation — a group credited with shaping K-pop’s international rise — the announcement raises practical questions about logistics and branding. Will Yuri sign a new management deal elsewhere? Will the remaining members renegotiate as a unit? In this case, the agency’s reassurance reduces immediate fan concerns about the band’s ability to perform together, but industry watchers will be watching for detailed arrangements: how management of schedules, promotions and royalties will be handled when an artist is no longer under the same contract umbrella.

Fans and career trajectories

Fans of legacy K-pop acts often view such transitions with mixed emotions: relief when continuity is preserved, curiosity about solo pursuits, and speculation about long-term group activity. Yuri’s acting credits show a parallel career path many idols follow as they mature professionally. With work in both film and prime-time drama already on her résumé, the loosening of exclusive agency ties could enable more diverse projects while still allowing her to honor commitments to Girls’ Generation.

SM Entertainment’s statement framed the split as mutual and amicable, emphasizing a continued cooperative relationship. That framing is important: it signals to promoters, broadcasters and international partners that the group remains a viable commercial and cultural entity despite internal contractual shifts.

For now, the immediate takeaway is straightforward: one of K-pop’s most familiar faces is changing professional addresses but not disappearing from the stage with the group that made her famous. The long-term shape of Yuri’s solo ambitions and how they will coexist with Girls’ Generation’s plans will unfold in the months ahead — and, given the group's history and commercial clout, likely draw close attention from fans and industry players worldwide.

This report is based on SM Entertainment’s announcement and public records of Yuri’s career credits.