Last week, boy band Infinite parted ways with Hoya, after its agency Woolim Entertainment failed to reach an agreement on the member’s contract renewal.

The news led to fans and local media speculating that the group might be falling prey to the so-called “seven-year jinx.”

Debuting idol singers usually sign management deals with agencies that last for about seven years. Many groups disband or have members who leave when their contracts expire.

Here are some K-pop acts who fell prey to the jinx.

Infinite - 2017

(Woolim Entertainment)

Hoya left the team, marking the first time that Infinite has seen a change in members since its debut in 2010.

Sistar - 2017

(Hyolyn's Instagram)

The quartet made up of Dasom, Bora, Hyorin, and Soyu shocked fans in May with news that they were parting ways. They snubbed rumors that the group’s disbandment had been due to bad blood, revealing recent photos of them together.

2NE1 - 2016

(YG Entertainment)

Once YG Entertainment’s hottest girl group, the band set the K-pop scene ablaze with its debut song “Fire” in 2009. However, it was claimed by the infamous jinx seven years later.

Beast - 2016

(Around Us Entertainment)

Beast still exists, but under a different name. Its troubles with Cube Entertainment resulted in the boy band leaving the agency and renaming itself Highlight. One member, Hyunseung, left the group in the process.

TVXQ - 2010

(S.M. Entertainment)

TVXQ’s legal dispute with S.M. Entertainment broke apart one of the most popular boy bands in Asia. The five-piece group shrank to a duo, as three members left S.M. to form a new group called JYP.

(khnews@heraldcorp.com)