SEOUL – K-pop girl group Momoland, which formed in 2016, have announced they are splitting up.

The band’s six members – Hyebin, Jane, Nayun, JooE, Ahin and Nancy – took to Instagram on Tuesday to post identical handwritten letters in Korean and English, addressing their fans known as Merries.

“First of all, we sincerely apologise to our Merries facing the news through an article. We are truly sorry for the late update,” they wrote.

“After a long, deep discussion, the six of us have decided to support one another to have a great new beginning going forward.”

In January, their management agency MLD Entertainment announced that Momoland would be leaving the agency following the expiration of their contracts.

The band were formed through reality show Finding Momoland in 2016 and made their debut with seven members. They became a nine-member group the following year, but three members subsequently left in 2019 and 2020.

In their message, the six remaining members wrote: “Even though we have decided to take our own paths towards our dreams, us Momoland will always be a team.

“Moving forward, please continue to support and love Momoland, and each and every member’s path.”