Girls' Generation's Yuri tears up as she leaves SM Entertainment after 25 years: 'I loved you'

Girls' Generation member Yuri broke into tears as she bid farewell to SM Entertainment after 25 years with the agency.

On Wednesday, Yuri posted a series of photos and videos on her SNS accounts taken ahead of the expiration of her exclusive contract with SM Entertainment.

The photos showed gifts that SM Entertainment had prepared for her. One item drew particular attention — it bore a message from Yuri reading, "Thank you for raising me for 24 years. Be happy, everyone. I love you, SM," alongside the phrase "Goodbye, everyone."

Yuri also shared a youthful photo of herself that appeared to be from her trainee days. "I joined as a trainee in 2001, and 25 years have passed before I knew it," she wrote, expressing gratitude to SM Entertainment for the long journey together. "Thank you for raising me, cherishing me and loving me."

She added, "We'll be together again, so let's meet again with smiles. I love you, SM. Goodbye."

Yuri broke into tears while saying her final goodbyes. In the photos, she is seen with reddened eyes, dabbing them with a tissue. She also attached the words "I loved you," offering a glimpse into the complex emotions of leaving the agency she had called home for so long.

Yuri joined SM Entertainment as a trainee in 2001 and made her debut as a member of Girls' Generation in 2007. She has since remained with the agency while pursuing a career across music, acting and entertainment.

Her exclusive contract with SM Entertainment expired Monday, drawing a close to a 25-year journey that began in her trainee days. Her next move has not yet been announced.