UPDATE: In a shocking announcement, LAPONE GIRLS has confirmed that the lineup for ME:I, an 11-member Japanese girl group formed through the survival program PRODUCE 101 JAPAN THE GIRLS, will undergo significant changes. The agency revealed that contracts for four members—Ran, Cocoro, Shizuku, and Kokona—will expire on December 31, 2024, just days before the New Year.
This major shift has left fans reeling, as they now have less than two weeks to say farewell to the departing members. The news was delivered on December 22, and while LAPONE GIRLS expressed their apologies for the abrupt notice, they provided no details regarding the final activities for the exiting members or the future direction of ME:I.
The emotional impact on fans is palpable, especially considering that three of the departing members—Cocoro, Ran, and Shizuku—had already stepped back from group activities earlier this year due to health issues. Kokona, however, continued to perform with the group, raising questions about the reasons behind these changes. Speculation among fans suggests that Shizuku‘s prior rule-breaking incident, addressed in a statement in October, could have influenced this restructuring.
The timing of this announcement has sparked urgent discussions among fans on social media as they rally to support their favorite members. Many are now calling for a chance to bid farewell in a meaningful way, urging LAPONE GIRLS to organize final events or activities featuring the affected members.
As ME:I prepares for this transition, fans are left wondering what the future holds for the remaining seven members and how this will impact the group’s upcoming promotions. The agency has yet to clarify how the restructuring will affect ME:I’s activities moving forward, leaving the community anxiously awaiting further updates.
This unexpected news serves as a stark reminder of the volatility within the entertainment industry, particularly for emerging artists. As the clock ticks down to the end of the year, both fans and the remaining members of ME:I face a time of uncertainty and change.
Stay tuned for more updates as this developing story unfolds.
