[BREAKING] Kwon Eun Bin Officially Quit From The Industry

IMAGE CREDIT – WIKIPEDIA

On May 22, 2026, a widespread rumor finally became official reality when Kwon Eun-bin, a former member of the group CLC who is currently active as an actress, decided to fully retire from the entertainment industry.

This announcement closely followed the expiration of her exclusive contract with Cube Entertainment, the agency that had managed her talent for a decade. Eun-bin's departure not only marks the end of her colorful artistic career, but it also symbolises the end of an era for the group CLC under the agency.

Also read: Why K-pop Needs to Prove Its Legacy This Year?

A Drastic Decision for Mental Well-being and Privacy

Eun-bin's decision to step away from the world of glamour was not made in haste. In fact, her earnest desire to return to life as an ordinary person was proven when she took the drastic step of requesting the removal of her personal profiles from public search platforms.

In addition to the Naver portal, Eun-bin reportedly submitted an official request to Namuwiki, a highly popular online encyclopedia platform in South Korea, to delete the information page about herself.

In the request, Eun-bin honestly expressed the mental burden she faced due to the constant public attention:

"I have now ceased all activities in the entertainment industry and have taken down all my public profiles, including on Naver. I intend to return to life as an ordinary person and live quietly. However, because the profile on this site remains public, my privacy continues to be exposed, and this has caused a mental burden. Therefore, of my own accord, I respectfully request that this page be deleted."

This action of erasing her digital footprint reflects her deep desire to regain the right to privacy that is often difficult for a celebrity to obtain.

For fans, this step might be saddening, but it is a mature action that should be respected for the sake of her mental health and the peace of her new life.

The Absolute End of the CLC Era at Cube Entertainment

With Eun-bin's departure, a chapter of history has officially closed for Cube Entertainment. Eun-bin was the last remaining member of CLC still signed with the agency following the group's official disbandment in June 2022.

With this contract termination, all former members of the group, who once entertained fans with hit songs like "Hobgoblin" and "Black Dress", are now completely free from the agency. This marks the severing of the final link connecting the name CLC to the company that created them.

Review & Analysis: Lasting Friendship Outside the Limelight

Although CLC has long been disbanded, what has caught the attention of industry analysts and loyal fans (Cheshire) is the strength of their friendship, which has not faded over time.

While many K-Pop groups drift apart and rarely interact publicly after disbandment, CLC has proven otherwise.

On March 18, 2026, CLC members—including Seunghee, Sorn, Elkie, Seungyeon, Yeeun, and Eun-bin prior to her retirement announcement—surprised fans by hosting a joint Instagram Live to celebrate the group's 11th anniversary.

The session, filled with laughter and tears of joy, proved that although their professional status as a group has ended, their family bond remains strong.

Even before that session, they frequently participated in various content together. This includes the talk show "CLC Spills The Tea" on Sorn's personal YouTube channel, as well as the "Tarot Forest" program hosted by Yeeun until early 2026.

These continuous interactions show that a group's disbandment does not necessarily mean the end of a genuine friendship.

Different Directions: The Perseverance of Choi Yu-jin (Kep1er)

In contrast to Eun-bin's decision to seek peace outside the industry's radar, another former CLC member, Choi Yu-jin, continues to take bold steps on the mainstream music stage.

As the leader of Kep1er, Yu-jin continues to show high commitment in leading the group, which has been restructured into a six-member group in 2026.

Recently, in mid-May 2026, Yu-jin along with the other Kep1er members successfully completed their fan meeting tour in Japan titled "Kep1arcade".

The contrasting life paths—between Yu-jin, who continues to build her legacy under the spotlight, and Eun-bin, who chose a quiet life away from media attention—highlight the diverse destinies former idols can choose after the first phase of their careers concludes.

Final Thought 

Overall, Kwon Eun-bin's retirement is a gentle yet profound reminder of the realities of life behind the grandeur of the K-Pop stage. 

Her decision to prioritize peace of mind and privacy over the glamour of the entertainment world deserves full support.

While fans will miss her acting talent and charm, best wishes accompany Eun-bin in this new chapter of her life. 

As for the other CLC members, their close bond will continue to stand as one of the finest examples of friendship in modern music history.