It's been a whirlwind year for K-pop. On top of groups like Pristin disbanding and individuals leaving their respective groups (B.I from iKON and Hwall from The Boyz), JYP Entertainment has announced that Woojin (full name: Kim Woo-jin) is leaving Stray Kids due to "personal circumstances" — and fans are reeling in shock.
Stray Kids leader Bang Chan also posted a letter to Stays on V Live.
Regardless of the reasons behind Woojin's departure, Stays are using the hashtag #ThankYouWoojin (along with #WeLoveYouWoojin and #NineOrNone) to commemorate his impact and his time in Stray Kids. Here are some of the most heartfelt responses:
1.
thank you for everything. . #ThankYouWoojin #WeLoveYouWoojin #woojinweloveyou
2.
Kim Woojin, you did so well my love. You gave us your all and you continuously worked hard for us. I hope you take care of yourself well. Do not feel guilty for putting yourself first. I and stays will love you endlessly #ThankYouWoojin
3.
stay strong woojin, take it easy thank you for everything you have done we love you so much and wish you a safe road. <3 #ThankYouWoojin
4.
Woojin always comforted the members, what are we gonna do without him #ThankYouWoojin
5.
“And this year of 2019, i came back as a member of Stay Kids. Stray Kids Woojin. And for me it’s something amazing, and i am very happy” Woojin is and will always remain a member of Stray Kids, we love you sm, ty for giving us strength and happiness 💙 #ThankYouWoojin
6.
chicken circle: 🍗 🍗 🍗 🍗 woojin 🍗 back in 🍗 stray kids 🍗 🍗 🍗 🍗 🍗
7.
⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀. . ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⌒ ⠀ retweet if u love woojin ⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀ so much ⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀ #ThankYouWoojin #WeLoveYouWoojin #NineOrNone #StrayKids #Woojin
8.
Thank you for being my motivation to continue drawing. The reason why is that, i just want to draw you better, with each attempt. Because that’s how i see how beautiful you are, inside out. I wanna be able to draw you to express how beautiful of a person you are #ThankYouWoojin
9.
the ending of i am you feels so different rn.. no one can or will ever replace woojin. he evolved sm and we should be very grateful for all the years he stayed with us. #thankyouwoojin
10.
I’m sorry that we couldn’t make you stay 😔💗 but we’ll support you nonetheless in the future. 💓#ThankYouWoojin
11.
sorry we couldn't make our promise, sorry u couldn't stay.. #ThankYouWoojin
12.
#ThankYouWoojin for always being yourself. for being the biggest brother of skz. for being an angel. for your soothing voice. for being the source of happiness of many people around the world. for making us smile. for showing us your beautiful soul. for being a lifeline to us.
13.
the very first priority for woojin should be his health, safety and well being. thats the very most important thing for him and we should just hope for his best before anything else. im extremely confused but i just hope that he's doing alright and so are skz.
14.
it aint over.. we are here to support ur every step. do things that make u happy. eat lots of chicken w cheese on top. listen to ur fav music. play video games. watch ur fav horror movies. do wtv it takes to make urself happy. blessings wait for u, woojin💘 #ThankYouWOOJIN
15.
you'll be forever the best part of me, the 9 of you. #ThankYouWoojin
16.
When they said: "we started off as nine people and we're pretty sure, no matter what we gonna finish off as nine people." "music is really important to us and us being all together is important as well too." I'm still hoping. #NineOrNone #ThankYouWoojin
17.
“woojin was here” “you tricked me” 😔😔😔 #ThankYouWoojin #WeLoveYouWoojin
18.
Me getting ready for school today trying to make it look like I didn’t cry my eyes out last night #ThankYouWoojin
Wishing all the luck to Woojin in the near and far future!
The remaining eight members are gearing up for the release of their new mini album, Clé: Levanter, which will now be released on Dec. 9 (instead of Nov. 2) and their upcoming world tour, which is slated to kick off on Nov. 23–24 in Seoul.
