ME:I In Turmoil as Four Members Abruptly Exit Without Explanation

The J-pop world has been rocked by the sudden departure of four members from the girl group ME:I. In a move that has left fans shocked and furious, the group's agency announced the members' contract terminations without providing any reason for the sudden split.

According to a statement released by Lapone Entertainment on December 22, members **Cocoro, Ran, Shizuku, and Kokona** have officially left the group and their contracts with the company have been terminated. The announcement came without any prior warning, and the complete lack of explanation has fueled intense speculation and anger among the group's followers.

ME:I, an 11-member group formed through the popular survival show *Produce 101 Japan The Girls*, had built a substantial fanbase even before their official debut. Netizens quickly flooded social media with reactions of disbelief and frustration. "To lose four members at once with zero explanation is disrespectful to the fans who voted for them," one comment read.

The departure reduces ME:I from **11 members to just 7**, casting significant uncertainty over the group's future projects and overall direction. The agency has not yet commented on how the group will move forward.

**PRISM Insight:** This incident highlights a critical vulnerability for idol groups born from survival shows. While the high-stakes, public-facing formation process creates immense initial hype, it doesn't guarantee long-term stability. The abrupt, opaque nature of Lapone's announcement also reflects a growing tension point in the global idol industry. As fanbases become more organized and demand greater transparency, such top-down decisions that offer no closure can irrevocably damage the crucial trust between a group and its supporters.