Soodam, a prominent member of the K-pop girl group SECRET NUMBER, has officially parted ways with both the group and her management company, VINE Entertainment.
The news was confirmed by the agency on December 12, 2025, in a formal announcement to the public and fans.
Her departure comes as a result of the natural expiration of her exclusive contract with the label.
This marks a significant change for SECRET NUMBER, which has undergone a tumultuous period of restructuring throughout the year.
The agency’s statement expressed gratitude for Soodam’s contributions and outlined their plans for the group’s continuation, signaling a new era for the ensemble.
VINE Entertainment’s Statement and Support for Soodam’s Future
VINE Entertainment addressed the fanbase, known as LOCKEY, with a respectful and appreciative official notice.
The agency began by conveying “sincere gratitude to all the fans who always send their love and support to SECRET NUMBER.”
They then formally confirmed the end of Soodam’s professional relationship with the company, stating that the exclusive contract of Soodam, who had “showcased her remarkable talent as a member of SECRET NUMBER,” had concluded on December 12, 2025.
The statement reflected an amicable split, focusing on acknowledging her hard work and promising support for her solo endeavors.
The agency thanked Soodam for her “hard work and dedication to the fans,” emphasizing that even though her tenure with SECRET NUMBER had concluded, VINE Entertainment would continue to “sincerely support her future endeavors.”
They also made a direct appeal to the fans, asking them to send Soodam their “unwavering encouragement and support” as she ventures into her next professional chapter.
This gesture is standard in the K-pop industry, where maintaining a positive relationship with former artists is key, and it allows fans to transition their support to the idol’s next activities.
Context of Major Group Restructuring in 2025
Soodam’s departure is the final element of a year defined by profound changes within the SECRET NUMBER lineup.
The article highlights that this is not the first, but the latest in a series of major personnel shifts that have reshaped the group’s composition.
Earlier in the year, specifically in April, four other key members—Léa, Dita, Jinny, and Minji—had previously chosen to leave both the group and VINE Entertainment.
This mass exit left only two remaining members: Soodam and Zuu, placing the group’s future in doubt and necessitating a rapid and comprehensive restructuring strategy by the management.
The agency responded swiftly to stabilize the group and ensure its continuity. Just four months later, in August 2025, VINE Entertainment introduced four new artists to the lineup: Navi, Dinda, Ebin, and Min C.
This strategic addition brought the group back to a full complement, allowing for an immediate return to activities.
The reorganized SECRET NUMBER successfully made their comeback that same month with the release of their single, “Don’t Touch.”
The quick turnover demonstrates the agency’s commitment to the group’s brand and their ability to execute rapid changes.
Soodam’s subsequent departure leaves Zuu as the only member remaining from the original debut lineup alongside the four new additions, meaning the group will once again need to adjust its structure, roles, and performance dynamics.
Looking Ahead for the Future of SECRET NUMBER
Despite the ongoing changes, VINE Entertainment reassured fans that SECRET NUMBER will forge ahead. The agency’s official statement concluded with a firm commitment to the group’s future.
They promised that the reorganized SECRET NUMBER would “do its best to greet fans with a new and improved image,” and they asked for the continued love and support of the fanbase.
This promise of an “improved image” suggests that the remaining members and the agency will work on a refined concept, sound, or structure to reintroduce the group to the public.
The focus will now fall on the remaining members—Zuu, Navi, Dinda, Ebin, and Min C—to solidify their chemistry and collective identity.
The group’s ability to quickly recover from the April departures and release new music suggests a strong framework for continued activities, albeit with a significantly different composition than when they debuted.
As the year concludes, the industry will be watching closely to see how the now-fived-member SECRET NUMBER reestablishes its presence in the competitive K-pop landscape.
The agency representing Onew of the K-pop group SHINee , Griffin Entertainment, released an official statement to clarify the artist’s connection to a controversial figure known as “Jusa-i-mo” (Injection Aunt), who is at the center of allegations involving comedian Park Na-rae.
The public statement was issued to definitively address and dispel growing speculation about Onew’s involvement in the escalating scandal, which primarily concerns illegal medical practices.
Clarification on Onew’s Relationship
The core of the controversy stems from the individual, referred to as Ms. A or “Jusa-i-mo,” being accused of performing illegal medical services without a proper Korean license, including administering IV drips and obtaining proxy prescriptions for medications like antidepressants.
Following the outbreak of the scandal involving Park Na-rae, past social media posts by Ms. A surfaced online, which included a photo of a signed SHINee album gifted by Onew.
This post led to widespread speculation that Onew may have maintained a close personal relationship with Ms. A or received illegal services from her.
Griffin Entertainment explicitly drew a line regarding any illegal activities, confirming the following facts:
- Initial Meeting and Purpose: Onew first visited the clinic in Sinsa-dong where Ms. A worked in April 2022 based on a recommendation from an acquaintance.
- Nature of Visit: The purpose of Onew’s visit to the clinic was strictly for skin care purposes.
- Unawareness of Controversy: The agency stressed that given the size and scale of the hospital at the time of the visit, Onew was unaware of the medical license controversy that is now being discussed online. This suggests the controversy surrounding Ms. A’s credentials emerged after Onew’s visit.
- Signed CD: The autographed CD with a handwritten message from Onew, which had been posted online, was simply an “expression of gratitude for the treatment received” at the clinic and did not signify a deeper personal or professional relationship beyond that of a client and a clinic staff member.
SHINee’s Onew (Credit: YouTube)
Regret Over Baseless Speculation
In their statement, Onew’s agency expressed strong regret over the situation. They stated,
“We deeply regret the indiscriminate spread and reproduction of stories that are not based on fact regarding our artist.”
The agency also asked the public and media to refrain from generating further speculation, asserting their commitment to protecting the artist’s reputation and rights:
“We hope that no further speculation will arise, and we will continue to do our utmost to protect our artist’s honor and rights.”
Background of the Park Na-rae Scandal
Onew’s clarification comes amidst a much larger controversy surrounding popular comedian and TV personality Park Na-rae, who had already been facing allegations of workplace harassment, assault, and embezzlement filed by two of her former managers.
During this legal dispute, allegations surfaced that Park Na-rae had repeatedly received illegal medical services, such as IV infusions and proxy prescriptions, from Ms. A (the “Jusa-i-mo”), who is alleged to not possess a valid Korean medical license.
The Korean Medical Association has since filed a complaint, urging a thorough investigation into the alleged unlicensed medical practice and illegal distribution of drugs.
Park Na-rae, who is currently on a hiatus from broadcasting, has denied the illegal medical practice claims, stating she only received nutrient injections from licensed professionals during house calls due to her busy schedule.
The entire scandal has created widespread unrest across the Korean entertainment industry, prompting other celebrities, including SHINee’s Key, to also face scrutiny after their potential links to Ms. A were exposed online through social media posts.
