Jessica Jung was a member of the South Korean girl group Girls' Generation (SNSD) from 2007 to 2014. She was considered one of the group's most popular members, and her departure from the group was met with much fanfare.
The Drama
In September 2014, Jessica announced her departure from Girls' Generation on her personal Weibo account. She stated that she was leaving the group due to conflicts with the group's management company, SM Entertainment. SM Entertainment released a statement the next day, confirming Jessica's departure and stating that the company had decided to terminate her contract.
The news of Jessica's departure from SNSD was met with shock and disappointment by fans of the group. Many speculated that there was more to the story than what had been revealed in the official statements from Jessica and SM Entertainment.
In the months that followed, Jessica and SM Entertainment traded barbs in the media, each side accusing the other of being responsible for the group's split. Jessica filed a lawsuit against SM Entertainment, seeking to void her contract and prevent the company from using her likeness or name without her permission. SM Entertainment countersued, claiming that Jessica had violated her contract by engaging in outside activities without the company's approval.
The legal battle between Jessica and SM Entertainment dragged on for years, and it was not until 2018 that the two parties finally reached a settlement. Under the terms of the settlement, Jessica agreed to drop her lawsuit against SM Entertainment, and the company agreed to pay her a lump sum as a severance package.
Aftermath
Jessica has since pursued a solo career in music and fashion, and she has also released a book about her experiences in the entertainment industry. She has spoken openly about the difficulties she faced during her time with Girls' Generation, and she has criticized SM Entertainment for its management practices.
Jessica's departure from SNSD remains one of the most dramatic events in the history of K-pop. The group has continued to be successful without Jessica, but many fans still believe that her departure was a major setback.