UAA Loses Top Stars Song Hye-kyo and Ryu Jun-yeol in Roster Shakeup

Korean talent agency UAA is going through a major reshuffle as several of its biggest names walk out the door. Actor Song Hye-kyo, known to global audiences for "Descendants of the Sun" and "The Glory," has parted ways with the agency, and fellow actor Ryu Jun-yeol has also ended his contract. Reports of Yoo Ah-in's departure surfaced at the same time, though the agency says that split happened years ago.

Song Hye-kyo was the first to confirm her exit. On the 26th, UAA (United Artists Agency) announced that her exclusive contract with the company had expired. "After a long stretch of mutual trust, UAA and Song Hye-kyo have decided to close this chapter together and cheer each other on going forward," the agency said in a statement. The split ends a 14-year partnership that began when UAA was founded in 2012. According to local reports, Song Hye-kyo is now preparing to launch a one-person agency of her own, a path several top Korean actors have taken in recent years.

News about Ryu Jun-yeol and Yoo Ah-in followed quickly. On the 30th, UAA confirmed to TenAsia that both actors are no longer with the agency. "It is true that the exclusive contracts with Ryu Jun-yeol and Yoo Ah-in have ended," the company said, while clarifying that Yoo Ah-in's contract was not a recent termination. "Yoo Ah-in's contract ended several years ago." The agency added that no other actors on its current roster are at the end of their contract terms, and said it has no concrete plans to bring in new signings.

With several of its marquee names gone in a short span, attention is now turning to the actors still with UAA. The agency's current roster includes Kim Dae-myung, Ahn Eun-jin, Kim Da-mi and Jang Ki-yong. All four are deep into new projects or about to release one.