K-pop girl group ITZY confirmed they are currently in contract renewal discussions with JYP Entertainment during a press conference held Monday to celebrate the release of their new mini-album Girls Will Be Girls.
During the press conference, member Chaeryeong addressed the contract situation, saying: "I can't believe that we're discussing renewing our contracts after seven years. We are in a lot of discussions with the company and we will deliver good news."
The group, which debuted in February 2019, is now entering its seventh year together, marking the typical timeframe when K-pop artists make decisions about continuing with their agencies. It is unclear if all five members will renew with the agency. Ryujin has noted, however, that they are determined to engage in both group and solo activities regardless of the outcome of the discussions.
The contract renewal announcement came as ITZY released their tenth mini-album Girls Will Be Girls on June 9, their first comeback in eight months since their previous release "Gold" in October 2024. The new album features five tracks including the title song "Girls Will Be Girls," alongside "Kiss & Tell," "Locked N Loaded," "Promise," and "Walk."
The title track "Girls Will Be Girls" delivers a message about overcoming challenges through unity, with lyrics expressing that "if we can be together, that alone is enough." The music video, filmed in Georgia, shows the members as post-apocalyptic survivors fighting against monstrous creatures.
During the press conference at Sofitel Ambassador Seoul in Songpa-gu, the members emphasized their strong bond and unity as a group. Leader Yeji explained their album concept.
"We thought about what new aspects we could show and what new messages we could convey. This time, we wanted to emphasize the resonance of 'us' as a group," she said.
ITZY's contract discussions come at a time when several JYP Entertainment groups have successfully renewed their agreements. Stray Kids renewed their contracts early in July 2024, ahead of their original expiration date. The entertainment company has generally maintained strong relationships with its artists, with groups like TWICE also renewing their contracts in recent years.
