Girls' Generation's Sooyoung, Seohyun, and Tiffany leaving SM Entertainment

Three members of K-pop group Girls' Generation are reportedly quitting their management agency SM Entertainment, according to sources in the Korean music industry.

Tiffany is said to be heading to the United States for studies, and Sooyoung and Seohyun will be focusing on their acting careers.

According to Yonhap, the remaining members, Taeyeon, YoonA, Hyoyeon, Yuri and Sunny have renewed their contracts. 

SM Entertainment has also ruled out disbanding Girls' Generation.

The agency said: "Girls' Generation is a very precious and significant group to S.M. and its fans. We're not thinking about dismantling the group.

"However, since there are members whose contracts have expired, we'll decide carefully after consulting with all members regarding the future path of the team."

[[nid:394896]]

The eight-member group recently released a full-length album in August to mark 10 years since their debut. 

Girls' Generation is one of South Korea's most prominent acts. They rose to fame in 2009 with their hit song Gee, which has since become an iconic K-pop track. The group had nine members then, before Jessica Jung left in 2014. 

klim@sph.com.sg