U-Kiss agency acknowledges decision to replace members

U-Kiss member Alexander (left) and Ki-bum (right) [NH Media]

NH Media, the talent agency managing boy band U-Kiss, has acknowledged that members Alexander and Ki-bum are leaving the group due to their decision to replace the two with new singers.

Through a press release issued on Wednesday afternoon, NH stated, "We judged that the team needed a change so after giving it long and serious thought, we decided to change to replace some members of the group."

NH went onto explain that they recently decided to terminate their contract with Ki-bum but Alexander will remain with the agency and pursue solo activities.

NH then said, "We hope to maintain good relations with Ki-bum who will remain a member of our family in our hearts and hope to be of help to him in various ways as his former agency."

The statement ended by saying that U-Kiss will make their planned comeback next month with two new members.

Early in the day, news broke that the two would be quitting from the group for personal reasons -- Alexander to concentrate on his studies and Ki-bum to focus on a business he runs with his older brother Kim Hyung-joon of SS501.

However, Ki-bum posted a message on his personal Cyworld and Twitter account a few hours later saying that NH actually asked him to leave the group and accordingly, had signed an agreement ending his contract with the agency.

Composed of other members Soohyun, Ki-seop, Eli, Kevin and Dongho, U-Kiss (Ubiquitous Korean International Super Star) made their debut with single album "New Generation" in September 2008.

They have also branched out into the music market in Japan, holding their first solo concert in Japan which was attended by over 5,000 fans late last year.

※ Any copying, republication or redistribution of 10Asia's content is expressly prohibited without prior consent of 10Asia. Copyright infringement is subject to criminal and civil penalties.

Jessica Kim jesskim@