Rocky has left ASTRO. 

In an announcement made on 28 February, Fantagio confirmed that Rocky has departed from the agency, as well as ASTRO, following the expiration of his contract. The group is said to proceed as a five-member piece as JinJin, Cha Eunwoo, Moonbin, and Sanha have renewed their contract. Member MJ, who is currently completing his military service, will be discussing his contract renewal with the company upon his return.

"After a deep discussion with Rocky, who has been with us as a member of ASTRO for the past seven years, it has been decided that he will be ending both his exclusive contract with our agency and his activities as a member of ASTRO. We thank Rocky for doing his utmost for a long time as a member of ASTRO, and we will be sincerely rooting for Rocky in the future," writes Fantagio in an official statement. 

Read Fantagio's full statement below. 

Hello.
This is Fantagio.

First, we would like to sincerely thank all the fans who give ASTRO their love and support.

After a deep discussion with Rocky, who has been with us as a member of ASTRO for the past seven years, it has been decided that he will be ending both his exclusive contract with our agency and his activities as a member of ASTRO.

We thank Rocky for doing his utmost for a long time as a member of ASTRO, and we will be sincerely rooting for Rocky in the future.

We also thank the many fans who have supported and watched over Rocky, and we ask that you continue to give Rocky your unchanging interest and support as he makes a fresh start.

ASTRO will continue on as a five-member group in the future, and together with Fantagio, the members will be focusing on unit and solo activities for the time being. We plan to actively give them our unsparing support so that [the members] can be active in a wide variety of areas.

We ask that you continue to give the ASTRO members lots of interest and support.

Thank you.

Following the announcement, Rocky shared a handwritten letter, expressing his admiration for his members and thanking AROHAs (ASTRO fans) for their support through the years. 

"I will be leaving Fantagio, who I have been with for 14 years and will end my activities with ASTRO. The time promoting as ASTRO's Rocky was very precious to me. My members, who have been with me during those times and especially AROHAs, my biggest strengths, I thank you all sincerely," he writes. 

Read Rocky's letter below.

Hello, this is Rocky.

I'm greeting fans for the first time in a while. Firstly, I want to apologise for not being able to bring good news, but I thought it was right to let AROHAs be the first to hear this news so I'm writing a letter here.

I will be leaving Fantagio, who I have been with for 14 years and will end my activities with ASTRO. The time promoting as ASTRO's Rocky was very precious to me.

My members, who have been with me during those times and especially AROHAs, my biggest strengths, I thank you all sincerely.

Thanks to your overflowing love and encouragement, I could grow and learn a lot.

No matter where I am, I will not forget the memories I made with the members and AROHAs and cherish them carefully.

AROHAs, thank you for everything till now.

AROHAs also shared their messages of support and love for Rocky as he goes on to pursue a new chapter in his career. 

thank you rocky for the past 7 years
thank you mj, jinjin, eunwoo, moonbin & sanha who are still with rohas
thank you rohas for still being here for ASTRO

let us all be happy wherever we are 😊💜#ASTRO #아스트로
pic.twitter.com/IGRQt8nlsk

— moonbin universe 💫 (@moonbinofastro) February 28, 2023

Thank you for the memories, Rocky. And for sharing your life and dreams with us. MJ, Jinjin, Eunwoo, Moonbin, Sanha, & Arohas will continue to support you on your new journey.

Keep lighting up the galaxy with your smile, Park Minhyuk! We'll think of your name fondly. pic.twitter.com/T9OdbGiGo0

— ‏ً (@MOONBINFILES) February 28, 2023

Rocky💌
thanks for everything. Thank you for the beautiful music🫶🏻
I believe we will see more of your works in the future.
I always love and support you. Astro's Star⭐️ #WeAreSupportRocky #Rocky pic.twitter.com/T2WIzzeHyw

— 🍀𝑨𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒐𝒊𝒅 ⋆𝐀𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐨𝟕𝐭𝐡 ☁︎꙳마이 ☺️ ₊˚ (@MIND_DORO) February 28, 2023

Rocky, who is also known as Park Minhyuk, debuted with ASTRO in 2016. The singer also recently debuted in a subunit with JinJin in 2022 with the mini-album, Restore.