Hoya has decided to leave INFINITE after seven years. The 26-year-old rapper and singer decided not to renew contract with the band's label, Woollim Entertainement.
The band's agency released a statement regarding his contract renewal. They went onto reveal that Sunggyu, Dongwoo, Woohyun, Sungyeol, L, and Sungjong, will continue as a six member group.
The note read: "First, we would like to sincerely thank the fans who love and cherish the group INFINITE. This is an official statement regarding INFINITE's contract renewals.
"We would like to announce that as of June 9, 2017, INFINITE's Hoya's contract with this label has come to an end. We would like to apologize for delivering unfortunate news to fans, who are always cheering us on."
"In the beginning of June, the time frame during which his contract was coming to an end, Hoya expressed his wishes to walk a different path in order to fulfill his dreams while discussing the contract with this label, and we have chosen to respect his wishes."
"Because a careful decision needed to be reached, we took ample time to debate and discuss the issue with Hoya, and thus have come to the conclusion that with his contract expiration, Hoya will be leaving INFINITE."
"All INFINITE members excluding Hoya - Sunggyu, Dongwoo, Woohyun, Sungyeol, L, and Sungjong - have completed the renewal of their contracts and are preparing to regroup as 6-members, and we plan on supporting their activities both as a group and as individuals."
"The INFINITE members will work harder to greet fans with even better music and activities, for those who always love and encourage them. We would like to apologize for the late announcement due to the time it took to come to this decision, and for worrying fans during this time; lastly, we ask that fans cheer for the new, 6-member INFINITE and Hoya's future endeavors."
