Rocky leaves Astro and Fantagio as fans speculate if band will disband
Astro member Rocky will be leaving the K-pop group as well as the agency Fantagio. After seven years of debuting with Astro, Rocky has decided to depart from the act.
Park Minhyuk aka Rocky made a name for himself over the years of his debut not just as a K-pop star but also as a rising K-drama actor as he starred in multiple web series including Broke Rookie Star.
Rocky leaves Astro and agency Fantagio
After seven years of staying together as a six-member K-pop act, Rocky is leaving Astro as well as the agency Fantagio to start his career afresh. While Rocky is leaving, the agency has assured that Astro will continue as a five-act group with MJ, Jinjin, Cha Eunwoo, Moon Bin, and Yoon San Ha.
Rocky in a letter to fans revealed, “I will be leaving Fantagio, who I have been with for 14 years, and will end my activities with ASTRO. The time I promoted (music) as ASTRO’s Rocky was very precious to me.”
Reflecting on the precious bond among the K-pop act’s members, he added, “My members, who have been with me during those times and especially AROHAs, my biggest strengths, I thank you all sincerely.”
For fans, Rocky said, “No matter where I am, I will not forget the memories I made with the members and AROHAs and cherish them carefully.”
Fantagio in a different statement added, “ASTRO will continue as a five-member group and the members will focus on solo and unit activities. We will support them so that they can be active in various fields of the industry.”
Fans speculate group’s disband rumors
Astro members have entered their seventh year and K-pop fans are very much aware of the seven-year curse which results in many groups’ disbandment. From 2NE1 to GFriend, Korean music fans often go through the shocking news of many successful bands breaking up at the seven-year mark.
So now the question arises can Astro survive the curse? While many are speculating that disbanding is somewhat possible, reports suggested otherwise revealing four members of the group have already re-signed with the agency, so Cha Eunwoo’s band may escape the curse after all.
Speaking of Rocky’s departure and the group’s possible disbandment, a fan shared:
The more I think about it, the sadder I get. I'm really going to miss Rocky in ASTRO. Hearing his voice in the songs, knowing he's no longer part of the group…. But, I am glad that they did not disband also yet. That would be even harder.
— Nina (@alwaysdreaming_) February 28, 2023View Tweet
Another fan is holding on to hope saying that four out of six members signing back with the company is a positive sign:
you know kpop known with their 7 years curse where the group didn't survive or disband on the 7th year…. but astro already beat that allegation since 4/6 already renewed the contract anyway. pic.twitter.com/MFvYIckqSQ
— 🍒 (@lovchael) February 22, 2023View Tweet
A third fan speculated:
Astro’s future activity
Arohas (as Astro fans are called) will be seeing two of Astro members, Moonbin and Sanha soon in a fan concert in March in Manila. On other hand, another member Eunwoo who is deemed as the all-rounder of K-pop is currently in a TVING drama Island which is airing on Amazon Prime.
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