Sunhwa Says Goodbye To Secret

It seems like 2016 is the year of disbandment, members leaving their groups...or just new beginnings. First there was Kara, then 2NE1, then 4Minute (I'm still not over that), now it's Secret. It has been announced today that Secret's maknae, Han Sunhwa, will no longer continue with the girl group. She has decided not to renew her contract with TS Entertainment in order to pursue a career in acting.

Sunhwa took to her Instagram to give the sad news to her fans and to thank them for their support in the past:

항상 감사한 시크릿타임 팬 여러분들과 응원해주고 격려해주신 많은분들께.. 안녕하세요 한선화입니다 여느 때와 다른, 조심스런 마음으로 여러분들께 인사드립니다. 먼저 7년이란 시간동안 시크릿의 한 멤버로서 말로 다 표현할 수 없는 큰 사랑과 관심을 받으며 여러분들과 함께 울고 웃을 수 있어 많이 행복하고 감사했습니다. 지난날들을 다시 돌아보면 아무것도 모를 때에 혼자서는 할 수 없었던 대단한 일들을 함께 해내며 생각지도 못할 만큼의 사랑과 관심을 받았던 것 같아요. 어려운 선택을 한 만큼 아쉽기도 하고 서운하기도하지만.. 그동안의 추억을 소중하게 간직하고 지금까지 쏟아온 열정을 이젠 앞으로의 날들을 위해 쏟아보려고 합니다 새로운 시작을 앞두고 부족함과 미숙함도 많이 보이겠지만 언제 어디서든 여러분들 응원에 보답하며 묵묵히 열심히 하는 한사람이 되겠습니다. 그동안 함께 해주신 ts가족분들 멤버들 팬여러분 진심으로 감사합니다.

A photo posted by 한선화 (@shh_daily) on Sep 25, 2016 at 6:15pm PDT

"Dear SECRET Time fans to whom I'm always thankful and those who have given their support and encouragement. Hello, this is Han Sunhwa. I give my greetings with a cautious heart.

First, for the past seven years as a member of SECRET, I am very happy and thankful to have received an overwhelming amount of love and attention and to have laughed and cried with you. Looking back, we have done many amazing things together that I could have not have done by myself and received an unimaginable amount of love and attention.

I am sorry and sad as it was such a difficult decision.. but I hope to cherish the memories we have had and hope to direct my passion now towards the future.
I know that with a new start I might show many moments of inexperience and inadequacy but I promise to return your support and do my best patiently.

I sincerely thank the ts family who have been with me and the dear fans with all my heart."

Secret's leader, Hyosung, also took to Instagram to show her appreciation and support for Sunhwa's decision: 

. . 안녕하세요. 시크릿의 리더 전효성입니다. 7년 동안 시크릿의 멤버로 함께 해 주었던 한선화양이 연기자의 길을 걷고자 하여 시크릿으로서의 활동은 마무리하게 되었습니다. 이제 가수로서 함께 할 수는 없지만 그동안 동고동락해주었던 선화양의 앞으로의 활동도 응원하겠습니다. 4명으로 활동하는 동안 많은 사랑 주신 팬여러분께 감사했다는 말씀을 전하며, 저희 시크릿의 앞으로의 활동도 많은 사랑과 응원 부탁드리겠습니다. 감사합니다.

A photo posted by JUN HYO SEONG /SECRET 전효성 (@secrettimehs) on Sep 25, 2016 at 6:58pm PDT

"Hello. This is SECRET's leader Jun Hyosung. Miss Han Sunhwa, who has been with us as a member of SECRET for seven years have wrapped up her activity as SECRET as she continues her path as an actress. While we can no longer be together as singers, we will support her future activities. We thank our dear fans for all the love you have given us as 4-membered group, and hope for your continuous love and support for us SECRET. Thank you." Trans by TempestDance

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It is said that Secret will continue as a 3-membered group with Jun Hyosung, Jung Hana, and Song Ji Eun. Sunhwa has not yet signed with an acting agency.

I'm genuinely saddened, but not surprised by this. In most cases, whenever a Kpop group does not have any activities for almost 2 years, they are bound to disband or lose a member. 2NE1 is another example of this. Just like 2NE1, Secret was one of the first music groups I discovered when I first discovered Kpop and have grown to love. I was really disappointed when they fell off the radar as a group the past couple of years and now Sunhwa has left. However, I wish Sunhwa all the best in her future in acting. Sunhwa hwaiting!