As we close 2025, ChaPop looks back at the headlines that shaped T-Pop during the year.
It had been a year of surprise departures and splits within the T-Pop world, with several high profile groups – girl groups in particular – going their separate ways.
1. PRETZELLE
After a series of line-up changes over a span of five years, Pretzelle – one of the T-Pop’s long-running groups – finally called it quits in June this year following the end of their contracts.
Pretzelle made their debut in May 2020 as a four-member girl group. Between 2020 and 2024 the group has had a few line-up changes, eventually ending up a three-member group with members Grace, Aumaim and Inc.
2. MXFRUIT
One of the more shocking splits to happen this year came from ILY LAB group MXFRUIT, who in August dropped the bombshell announcement. The five members said they would be ending all group activities at the end of 2025.
The group, which had only made their debut in March 2023, said they were splitting to “pursue new paths that align with their individual goals and aspirations”.
The move shocked fans, some of whom said they were blindsided by the timing of such an announcement.
3. QRRA
Capping off a year of girl group splits, the five-member QRRA announced in October they would end their time as a group, also to pursue “new dreams and personal goals”.
The group made their debut in 2020 as LYRA, a sub-unit of BNK48. Starting out with six members, the group saw several name and line-up changes through the years, eventually becoming QRRA in 2022 with five members.
4. VENITA
This year kicked off with the announcement that XOXO Entertainment would be terminating the contracts of its pop trio VENITA after nearly three years.
Unlike other girl group splits that followed, their disbandment was effective immediately, prompting fans to lament the lack of opportunity given to the group.
MEMBER DEPARTURES
1. MUON ATLAS
It was ATLAS’ fourth anniversary concert that the shock announcement from Muon came. In an emotional speech on stage, the 22-year-old Muon, who will be leaving at the end of the year, said he was grateful to have been part of the group since debut.
He said: “I look back to a beautiful journey coming to an end, and I will continue to look back (at it) for the rest of my life.”
XOXO Entertainment later confirmed that while Muon is leaving, ATLAS will continue its activities in the new year as a six-member group.
2. PAUL ZOLAR
In November, Muzik Move boy group ZOLAR confirmed the departure of its member Paul Bhuri. In May, the 25-year-old took a leave of absence from group activities due to urgent personal reasons.
Paul briefly reappeared during ZOLAR’s second anniversary fan-meeting in September, but has not appeared in other engagements since.
3. ATOM VIIS
VIIS member Atom Pariya announced her departure from the GNEST girl group in early December, citing health-related reasons.
While neither she nor the label specified the health issues, Atom herself says she will be seeking treatment and “I’ll get better”.
