SF9's Rowoon will no longer join group activities to focus on acting
After seven years, Korean idol-actor Kim Seok Woo, popularly known as Rowoon, will now focus on his acting career, while SF9 will continue their endeavors as a group with eight members.
This decision was announced by the group’s agency, FNC Entertainment, on Sept. 18, as reported by local media Soompi.
According to the statement, all SF9 members recently renewed their contracts with the agency prior to its expiration on Sept. 18. However, the group will now move forward as an eight-member group, with Rowoon stepping away from their activities.
“All members of SF9 previously renewed their contracts with our agency, and they will now take another leap forward with eight members excluding Rowoon,” the statement read.
With his booming career as an actor, the agency said that Rowoon will now “focus on individual activities including acting.”
“Although the directions of their activities are different, Rowoon, who will remain as the ninth member of SF9, along with the other eight members will cheer each other on and each put in their full effort on their own paths in order to impress fans,” the statement continued.
“We ask that fans continue to show lots of support for SF9 and Rowoon. Thank you,” they concluded their statement.
Following the news, Rowoon penned a handwritten letter to Fantasy (SF9’s fandom), saying that he will now “take on a new challenge.”
“I think I’ve become slightly more familiar with being more strict on myself while taking on scheduled activities and taking on new challenges,” he said.
The 27-year-old Korean star went on to apologize to his fans who may have been hurt by the sudden news, especially when he “hid away.”
Looking back, Rowoon said that he couldn’t be more grateful for his journey with the group.
“I participated in scheduled activities with a grateful heart for each and every precious memory during the past seven years,” he said. “I’m only filled with gratitude as I’m writing [this letter] while looking back on my life.”
SF9, now composed of Chani, Dawon, Hwiyoung, Inseong, Jaeyoon, Yoo Taeyang, Youngbin, and Zuho, made their debut in 2016. They are known for their songs Tear Drop, O Sole Mio, and Puzzle, among others.
Rowoon, meanwhile, made his acting debut in 2017. He is famous for his roles in the dramas Extraordinary You, Tomorrow, The King’s Affection with Park Eun-bin, and the ongoing series Destined With You.