'I wanted more time with you': Tempest member LEW bids farewell as group halts activities after 4 years

K-pop group Tempest has suspended its group activities four years after its debut, with departing member LEW (real name Lee Eui-woong) penning a lengthy farewell message to fans.

On Tuesday, Lee posted on his Instagram expressing heartfelt gratitude to fans. "I sincerely want to thank everyone who has loved Tempest and cherished me, LEW," he wrote. "When I think of your hearts — how you believed in us and waited for so long — I feel as grateful as I do sorry."

He said the period of uncertainty had been difficult for him personally. "As I waited for the direction of future activities and various circumstances to be sorted out, I was deeply confused and spent a lot of painful time," he wrote. "I'm sorry that even though I knew how much you were waiting, I couldn't share my story with you."

Lee added that he had hoped to continue with the group. "I, too, wanted to spend more time with you, and there was still so much more I wanted to show you," he said. "But due to various circumstances and conditions, it has become unavoidably difficult to continue our activities together."

He also looked back on his time with fans. "I received so much love from you all, and I was happy every single day," he wrote. "From the day I first stepped on stage, to the concert halls filled with your cheers, to the countless days we laughed and cried together — all of it has become a precious memory that will stay in my heart for a long time."

Lee also spoke of his bond with his fellow members. "We met at such a young age and spent so much time and so many moments together, all the way into adulthood," he said. "I will sincerely cheer on each member's new beginning as they each go their own way."

Agency YH Entertainment issued an official statement the same day, saying it had decided to suspend group activities and focus on each member's individual career "after lengthy and careful discussions with the members."

Under the plan, member Hyeok will enlist in the military on Monday, while Lee's exclusive contract with the agency will expire on Nov. 1. Members Hanbin, Hyeongsub, Eunchan and Taerae will continue individual activities with the agency's support.

Tempest debuted in March 2022 with its first mini album "It's ME, It's WE." The group launched as a seven-member act but has promoted as six since member Hwarang departed in 2024.

Lee first gained recognition in 2017 after appearing on Mnet's "Produce 101 Season 2," going on to promote as a duo called Hyeongsub X Eui-woong with fellow member Hyeongsub, who also appeared on the show.