Girls' Generation, SM Entertainment negotiating contract renewal

The girls' contracts with the agency have expired and most of them have extended their contracts, Yonhap News reported.

Girls' Generation
Girls' Generation Twitter

Members of Korean girl group Girls' Generation and their agency SM Entertainment are currently under negotiation for the renewal of their exclusive contracts.

The girls' contracts with the agency have expired and most of them have extended their contracts, Yonhap News reported.

However, other members are still studying the new contract.

"Some members are still under talks with the agency. Although there can be some variables, the team is likely to continue their activity as members are proud of the fact that they prospered through the last ten years," an SM Entertainment official said.

Girls' Generation celebrated their tenth year with a new album titled "Holiday Night" that was released recently. They are now the longest-running K-pop girl group as many of their contemporaries have disbanded.

"Holiday Night" debuted at No. 1 on Billboard's World Albums chart and No. 5 on Heatseekers Albums chart.

As the news reports of the contract negotiation came up, it was reported that Tiffany will be going to the US to study acting, fueling speculations that she may be leaving the group.

Tiffany will be going abroad once the group finishes its album promotion in Korea.

"Tiffany has recently decided on studying abroad in the United States and let her friends know. She wanted to study acting, and so those around her are supporting her decision," one person close to Tiffany told Korean media, according to Soompi.

SM responded by saying that "we are discussing multiple things overall regarding Tiffany" including her going to the US.

An issue arose when Girls' Generation were edited out of the TV broadcast on MBC of the "DMZ Peace Concert."

MBC explained that "SM Entertainment requested for Girls' Generation's appearance to be edited out from the 'DMZ Peace Concert' which aired on August 15. Please ask SM Entertainment on further questions regarding this matter."

Fans criticized SM Entertainment for the decision and suspected that the agency did that to pressure the girls to renew their contract.

Girls' Generation debuted in 2007 as a nine-member group until Jessica Jung was removed in September 2014.