BAE173 member Jimin has recently made a surprising announcement, revealing his decision to put a temporary halt on his activities with the group. He shared that he aims to shift his focus towards his upcoming debut with the new group, Close Your Eyes, set to make their entrance into the music scene this April. This unexpected move has stirred up a whirlwind of mixed reactions, with BAE173's agency, PocketDol Studio, raising concerns about potential contract violations.

In light of TenAsia's recent investigation, it was disclosed that Jimin had conveyed his intentions to PocketDol Studio and his fellow BAE173 members last month regarding his desire to step away from his involvement with the group. A member of BAE173, identified as A, disclosed to TenAsia, "Jimin expressed his wish to prioritize Close Your Eyes and discontinue his contributions to BAE173. While this news came as a shock to us, his resolve was unwavering, leaving us no room to dissuade him."

Despite Jimin being under contract with PocketDol for his commitment to BAE173 until 2027, his contemplation of entering into a three-year contract for his activities with Close Your Eyes raises questions as it surpasses the duration of his current BAE173 agreement. A shared, "As much as we'd have liked to continue collaborating with Jimin, we must respect his decision to part ways. It was a tough pill to swallow, but we encouraged him to pursue his aspirations." A also hinted at BAE173 gearing up for a potential comeback album around the months of April or May, emphasizing their dedication as a group in Jimin's absence. Notably, efforts to reach out to Jimin post his announcement yielded no response, with his absence at a BAE173 fan signing event last month further highlighting the situation.

Previously a member of BAE173, Jimin secured his spot as one of the seven members of Close Your Eyes through JTBC's Project 7 survival audition program, despite his affiliation with the former group established in 2020.

Tensions escalated between PocketDol and Close Your Eyes' agency, Uncore, following discrepancies in Jimin's contractual obligations. PocketDol went as far as filing a missing persons report with the authorities, citing difficulty in tracking down the artist. However, a subsequent meeting between Jimin, BAE173 members, and PocketDol officials, shed light on Jimin's decision to step back from his involvement with BAE173.

While PocketDol contends that Jimin's decision breaches their initial contractual agreement, Uncore maintains that his focus on Close Your Eyes does not violate any terms. An Uncore representative clarified that participants and agencies involved in Project 7 were aware of the exclusivity clause tied to the project group.

Notably, Jimin's camp remained tight-lipped when approached for comments on the unfolding scenario, whereas a manager associated with Close Your Eyes stated, "Addressing the contractual matters is challenging at this time, and hence, we have refrained from engaging in discussions."

Close Your Eyes, comprising the cream of the crop from Project 7, is under the management of Uncore, a collaboration between SLL and YG Entertainment's subsidiary, YG PLUS.