Korean idol group Girls' Generation is in danger of losing three members after they terminated their exclusive contracts with agency SM Entertainment.
Tiffany, Sooyoung and Seohyun will pursue their own careers following their decision not to sign new contracts with their long-time agency.
An entertainment official said with the three out of SM Entertainment, it will be difficult for them to remain as Girls' Generation members.
"The three members decided to terminate their contracts with the agency. Although Girls' Generation will stay afloat, it would be difficult in practical terms for those members to remain in the team when they sign up with a different management agency. I understand the members are still discussing the matter," the source said, according to the Korea Herald and Yonhap News.
However, SM Entertainment remains optimistic and denied that Girls' Generation will disband.
"Girls' Generation is a very precious and significant group to S.M. and its fans. We're not thinking about dismantling the group. However, since there are members whose contracts have expired, we'll decide carefully after consulting with all members regarding the future path of the team," it stated.
Tiffany is reportedly going back to the US to study acting while Seohyun and Sooyoung will be pursuing their drama and movie careers.
On the other hand, Taeyeon, Hyoyeon, Sunny, Yoona and Yuri all renewed their contracts with SM Entertainment.
Girls' Generation debuted as nine members in 2007 and became one of the most popular K-pop groups.
However, on September 30, 2014, Jessica Jung was removed from the group due to personal schedule conflicting with Girls' Generation's.
"I was excited about our upcoming fan events only to shockingly be informed by my company and 8 others that as of today, I'm no longer a member. I'm devastated - my priority and love is to serve as a member of GG, but for no justifiable reason, I am being forced out," she posted on Weibo then.
Jessica is now pursuing her solo career and has her own fashion brand.
Girls' Generation celebrated their tenth anniversary last August.
