<관련 영문 뉴스>

Girls' Generation leaves for China without Jessica

K-pop idol group Girls’ Generation left for China on Tuesday without Jessica, backing up claims that she was forced out of the group by her label SM Entertainment.

Eight members of the group -- Taeyeon, Tiffany, Seohyun, Sunny, Hyoyeon, Yuri, Sooyoung and Yoona -- turned up at Incheon International Airport on Tuesday morning before flying to Shenzhen, China, to attend a fan meeting.

Jessica, however, was not sighted at the airport.

The other girls did not respond to any of the questions from the press as they walked in the airport.

Earlier in the day, a post was made on Jessica’s Weibo account, claiming that SM Entertainment had unilaterally dismissed her from the group without “any justifiable reason.”

“I was preparing myself for the upcoming schedule, but I was notified today that I am no longer a member of Girls’ Generation as of today,” the post made at around 5 a.m., Tuesday, read.

“I have put Girls’ Generation first and actively focused on our activities, but I was informed of such news. I am very perplexed,” it continued.

The news comes as a surprise since it was reported that all of the group’s nine members renewed their contracts with SM after their seven-year contract expired in August.

Shocked fans took to online communities to discuss whether the story was true or not.

Some fans even raised the possibility that Jessica’s Weibo account was hacked, but it remains to be seen as SM has yet to announce an official stance. The company could not be reached for comment.

By Ock Hyun-ju (laeticia.ock@heraldcorp.com)