BAE173's Hangyul is leaving PocketDol Studio after 10 years with the agency. The company announced on February 11 that Hangyul's exclusive contract will officially end on February 28.

"It was a precious journey together, as we spent a long period of about 10 years side by side and watched each other grow," PocketDol Studio said in their official statement. The lengthy relationship between Hangyul and the agency predates BAE173's formation by several years.

Hangyul originally gained recognition as a contestant on Mnet's "Produce X 101" in 2019, where he finished in 7th place and became a member of the project group X1. After X1's disbandment in early 2020, he joined the nine-member boy group BAE173, which debuted in November 2020 under PocketDol Studio.

BAE173, which stands for "Before Anyone Else," has released several mini-albums since their debut, including "Intersection: Spark," "Intersection: Trace," and "Intersection: Blaze." Hangyul has been one of the group's main vocalists and dancers throughout their career.

The agency has not revealed specific details about the reasons behind the contract termination or Hangyul's future plans. Contract departures in K-pop can happen for various reasons, from creative differences to personal career goals, and agencies typically keep the specifics private out of respect for all parties involved.

Fans are now waiting to hear what's next for both Hangyul and the remaining BAE173 members. The group's future activities and whether they'll continue as an eight-member group remains unclear. PocketDol Studio's statement suggests the parting is amicable, emphasizing their "precious journey" together over the past decade.

With his contract ending at the end of February, Hangyul will likely make his own announcement about future plans in the coming weeks.