As reported by OSEN on Friday, YG Entertainment stated that Nam Tae-hyun’s contract had been nullified on Nov. 18, citing the idol’s mental health as the main reason for the decision.

“The remaining members have been prioritizing Nam’s mental condition and wait for his recovery, but as it is something that he has dealt with since he was young, it is hard to predict the recovery and comeback,” said the company. “Although Nam is unable to continue with Winner, both parties will be supporting each others’ music activities. Nam and Winner will remain as colleagues who support each other.”

(Read also: 2NE1 officially disbands)

YG Entertainment concluded that Winner, the group that debuted back in 2014 after winning the survival show WIN: Who is Next, will continue as a four-member act with Song Min-ho, Kang Seung-yoon, Kim Jin-woo and Lee Seung-hoon.

The group's most recent activities included the release of album EXIT:E in February, supposedly one installment in the four-part EXIT Movement series and its first record after a previous 18-month hiatus.

Below are some of the reactions on Twitter after the announcement was made official. (kes)

tbh winner's story is tragic and this will be an embarrassment to yg's name forever. how did you ruin something that had SO MUCH potential?

— ❣ (@turtlemino) November 25, 2016

YG's stocks will be down to hell in 2017 bcs 2NE1 disbandment, BIGBANG & Chanyuk enlistment, Taehyun left WINNER. GOODLUCK TO THIS RAT

— BIGBANG NEWS (@TYPICAL_YGSTAN) November 25, 2016

I'm sorry but YG is a mess. The fact that WINNER didn't get to finish the rest of EXIT with Taehyun.....

WINNER deserve better.

So do 2NE1.

— minguk is asking❓ (@Kpop_Polling) November 25, 2016

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