Updated August 19 KST:

Woollim Entertainment has released a statement regarding L’s departure from the agency and INFINITE’s future plans.

The statement reads as follows:

In addition, as the members have strong determination about group activities, INFINITE’s disbandment is not being considered at all. Regarding the direction of INFINITE’s future activities, they will be carried out after sufficient discussion in the future as there are members currently serving in the military.

We ask that you show continuous love to L (Kim Myung Soo), and we will be sincerely cheering on his future.

L (Kim Myung Soo) [debuted] as a member of the group INFINITE in 2010, and he put his full effort into activities in diverse fields. We express our sincere gratitude to L (Kim Myung Soo), who has been together with us for the long time of nine years since 2010.

Recently ahead of his exclusive contract expiration, we had in-depth discussion with our artist L (Kim Myung Soo) for a long time, and after careful discussion, the decision was made to not renew.

Our exclusive contract with INFINITE member L (Kim Myung Soo), who has been with us for the past nine years, ended on August 18, 2019 (contract expiration date).

First of all, we express sincere gratitude to the fans who cherish and love the group INFINITE.

Source (1)

Original Article:

L will be parting ways with Woolim Entertainment.

On August 19, the INFINITE member shared the news through the following letter:

Hello, this is Kim Myung Soo…L.

I want to bow my head in apology for greeting you for the first time in awhile with this unfortunate news, and I want to express gratitude for always giving me warm support.

My heart feels heavy at the thought that this news that I am going to share might be hurtful to INSPIRIT, who have always given me generous love.

With last week as the end, my contract with Woollim has expired.

I made a difficult decision after a lot of thought.

After long deliberation, I decided to stand on my own.

I felt that I need a new challenge in my life, and I am now going to start the new challenge.

While being in Woollim for the long period of 10 years since my trainee days through my debut until now, I felt and learned a lot as I grew up.

I think time passes very quickly.

All moments spent together with INSPIRIT after debuting as INFINITE have been happy times.

Our INFINITE members who I have spent all of those times together with, all of those times were happy because of the members. I want to once again express my gratitude and our promise that we will always be together.

It is difficult to describe in words how much strength the INFINITE members and INSPIRIT have given me since our debut until now.

Although we may be together in somewhat different forms and ways than before, there is no change in the trust that we will support each other and be together.

Also, head Lee Jung Yeop, vice president Lee Ji Young, and all Woollim family who have allowed me to have unforgettable and valuable times and happiness, as much as you have supported me, I will work hard with a grateful heart to greet you after improving further.

In addition, I can continue with the INFINITE members, and I am going to do my best to be with the members at any place when I am needed.

Again and again, I sincerely thank INSPIRIT, who have believed in me and given me warm and great love.

I will work my hardest to greet you soon with greater improvement.

Thank you for reading this long letter until the end.

From Kim Myung Soo.