Kwon Eun-bi Leaves Woollim Entertainment, Signs With Galaxy Corporation

Kwon Eun-bi (권은비) has officially parted ways with Woollim Entertainment after her exclusive contract expired on March 31, 2026. The former IZ*ONE leader, widely recognized as the "Waterbomb Goddess" of the Korean festival circuit, chose not to renew, closing a five-year solo chapter with the agency that managed her debut after the group disbanded. As reported by Star News Korea on March 31, she is set to sign with Galaxy Corporation, the Korean AI entertainment company that has been quietly assembling one of the most strategically diverse rosters in the industry. Galaxy Corporation confirmed the signing on April 1, 2026, according to Star News Korea and subsequent reporting by OSEN. For Kwon Eun-bi, 30, the move signals not just an agency change but a full reset, stepping into an environment purpose-built for artists looking to operate at the crossroads of entertainment and emerging technology.

A Five-Year Solo Chapter at Woollim Closes

Kwon Eun-bi joined Woollim Entertainment in the pre-debut era, navigating the label's training system before rising to prominence through Mnet's Produce 48. She finished in 7th place and debuted as a member and leader of the South Korean-Japanese collaboration group IZ*ONE in 2018. Following the group's disbandment in April 2021, she launched her solo career with Woollim, releasing her first mini album Open that August. The five-year run produced a string of singles and EPs, but it was her reputation as a magnetic live performer that cemented her identity with Korean audiences. Her most recent release, the digital single "Hello Stranger" from April 2025, showed continued creative momentum with Woollim. Kwon Eun-bi shared a farewell message with fans, expressing gratitude for the years spent at the label. Woollim Entertainment confirmed the separation in an official statement, noting that both parties reached the decision "while respecting each other's opinions," per Star News Korea's March 31 reporting.

What Galaxy Corporation Brings to the Table

Galaxy Corporation is not a conventional management company. Self-described as Korea's first AI enter-tech company, it operates at the intersection of entertainment and emerging technology, combining AI and robotics-based content platforms with talent development and promotion. The agency drew widespread attention when G-Dragon signed after his departure from YG Entertainment, as confirmed by Galaxy Corporation's official announcement in late 2024, giving the company instant credibility across the K-pop ecosystem. Taemin followed in March 2026, joining after his own contract end at SM Entertainment, as covered in our prior reporting on the signing. Kim Jong-kook and actor Song Kang-ho are also part of the Galaxy Corporation stable, illustrating the agency's deliberate strategy of building a cross-genre, multi-demographic roster rather than focusing on a single audience. That formula is exactly what Kwon Eun-bi walks into: a company built to leverage star power across technology, media, and live entertainment simultaneously.

From IZ*ONE Leader to Festival Queen to Career Pivot

The "Waterbomb Goddess" nickname is not a casual label. Kwon Eun-bi earned it through years of high-energy performances at the Waterbomb music and water festival, where she built a reputation as one of the most commanding stage presences in Korean pop. That brand recognition is independent of any agency, and it follows her to Galaxy Corporation. Her career arc, from idol group leader to acclaimed solo artist to calculated free agent move, fits the template of a performer who has always played a longer game than her peers. The timing of the Galaxy Corporation signing places her alongside a roster that was strategically constructed to thrive in an entertainment landscape reshaped by AI content creation and integrated tech experiences. Whether that bet pays off in the next chapter depends on what Galaxy Corporation builds around her, but the instinct to make the move reads as sharp.

Fan Reactions and What Comes Next

Kwon Eun-bi's fanbase, who call themselves RUBY, reacted to the news across social media with a mix of emotion and cautious optimism. On X (formerly Twitter), trending discussion centered on her message to fans and the expectation that Galaxy Corporation's resources will give her a production and promotional environment she hasn't had access to before. Korean fan communities on Naver Cafe flagged the significance of Galaxy Corporation's AI-integrated content strategy, as reported by STARNEWS Korea, as a potential unlock for her performance-forward brand. With the contract now confirmed, the question shifts to whatever her first project under the new label looks like. G-Dragon's post-signing trajectory under Galaxy has been high-profile; Taemin's debut release arrived in March 2026. Kwon Eun-bi entering the same space in the spring of 2026 makes the second half of the year very interesting for everyone tracking the company's next move.