Rainbow Confirmed To Disband, DSP Media K-Pop Girl Group Leaves Heartfelt Handwritten Letter Thanking Rainnous For 7 Years Of Love And Support

2016 is quickly coming to a close and the year has been notorious when it comes to K-pop acts, specifically boy bands and girl groups, having members leave or disbanding. Though there are many K-pop acts who have suffered through such this year, probably the highest-profile K-pop acts to experience one or the other include 2NE1 who lost Minzy, Miss A who lost Jia, and 4minute who disbanded. The first company to suffer though was DSP Media. Their first loss was in January when two members of their boy band A-Jax, Jaehyung and Sungmin, left, but their biggest loss was when Kara disbanded in February after Gyuri, Seungyeon, and Hara chose not to renew their contracts.

DSP Media hoped their woes were all experienced in the beginning of the year, but it seems the “Second Kpopcalypse” is not done with the Korean entertainment company and agency. Another one of DSP Media’s K-pop girl groups, Rainbow, will be disbanding too. The members have left a heartfelt handwritten letter thanking Rainnous (official fan club of Rainbow) for seven years of love and support.

News of Rainbow not renewing their contracts with DSP Media which would ultimately lead up to their disbanding were first reported by Korean news outlets Joy News and Sports Chosun. At the time, DSP Media said they would keep people up to date on the discussions for contract renewal. Unfortunately for the Korean entertainment company and agency, Rainbow has decided to go their separate ways, as reported by Soompi.

“Although we [DSP Media] discussed with Rainbow members Kim Jaekyung, Go Woori, Kim Jisook, Noel, Oh Seungah, Jung Yoonhye, and Jo Hyunyoung about their future, they have decided to go their separate ways.

We hope that like a rainbow that shines bright anywhere, the members will be remembered for their bright, positive image and that people will continue to send their wholehearted support and encouragement for their future activities.”

Eventually, the members of Rainbow who had individual Instagram accounts — such as Jaekyung, Woori, and Hyunyoung — posted a heartfelt handwritten letter for their fans.

For those who are unable to read in Hangul, or the Korean alphabet, AllKpop was nice enough to provide a translation for Rainbow’s non-Korean speaking fans. The letter translated is as follows.

“‘Hello, the Rainbow has risen.’ Whenever we shouted this greeting, we always gained strength, and we were happy that we gave all of you good energy. After meeting our DSP friends, we realized our dreams, became Rainbow, and we received great love and support. We also were able to receive a very precious family.

“That’s why we were so hurt when we heard the word ‘disbandment’ in yesterday’s headlines. We think all of you, especially Rainnous who supported us, were very disappointed and surprised.

“Even though Rainbow’s contract has ended and our official promotions with DSP Media have ended, we’re not disappearing! We will support each other as we did before, and we’ll be with you all. If we all work hard in our spots, we trust we’ll be able to be together one day. First place isn’t important! All the moments we’ve had with you are happy and precious.

“Thank you for making us so happy for the past 7 years. We’ll wait until we can make Rainbow rise in your hearts once again. From Rainbow!”

As mentioned earlier, Rainbow has been around since 2009 when they first debuted with their first extended play (EP), a mini-album titled Gossip Girl. Their title track of the same name reached number 62 on the Korean chart. Eventually, they would perform their breakout hit “A” one year later off their best album to date, an EP or mini-album titled So Girls. The song hit No. 9 on the Korean chart, No. 3 on the Japanese chart, and No. 4 on the J-pop chart. Total sales for the single itself are over 1.66 million which also makes it their most successful song throughout the girl group’s career.

Rainbow’s contract officially ends this coming month on Saturday, November 12. K-pop fans, especially Rainnous, are preparing to say goodbye to the veteran K-pop girl group who made their debut during the biggest year for K-pop and Hallyu. Let’s all wish Jaekyung, Woori, Jisook, Noel, Seungah, Yoonhye, and Hyunyoung much success in their future endeavors.

[Featured Image by DSP Media]