dearALICE member James announced his departure from the group through an Instagram post on July 9, marking the end of his time with the SM Entertainment and Moon&Back Media collaboration project.

James joined dearALICE when the five-member boy group debuted at the start of 2025. The group was formed through a unique partnership between SM Entertainment and British television production company Moon&Back Media, bringing together Korean and international talent.

The member shared his decision in a heartfelt letter posted to his Instagram account, indicating this was a personal choice rather than a forced exit. While the full details of his reasons weren't disclosed in the initial announcement, departures from groups typically stem from various factors including personal circumstances, career direction, or contract terms.

This departure comes relatively quickly after dearALICE's debut, which could signal shifts within the group's lineup or James's individual priorities moving forward. The remaining four members will continue as dearALICE, though their future activities and any adjustments to their concept or promotional plans remain to be seen.

The news reflects broader trends in K-pop where international collaborations and global recruitment have become more common. Moon&Back Media's partnership with SM Entertainment brought a fresh approach to group formation, but like many projects, requires members to commit long-term to make the concept work.

Fans of the group will be watching to see how the agency addresses dearALICE's future direction and whether any official statement from the company clarifies the circumstances surrounding James's exit. SM Entertainment hasn't yet released a formal response at the time of this report.

For James, the departure opens possibilities for solo activities or projects better aligned with his current goals. The K-pop industry frequently sees members transition to other ventures after leaving their original groups.