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| Inside ME:I’s Sudden Shake-Up: Why COCORO Didn’t Leave on Her Own Terms (Photo: Josei Seven) |
ME:I is heading into the end of the year with a major line-up change, and not all departures appear to be on equal footing. On 22 December, the popular 11-member Japanese girl group officially announced that four members — COCORO, RAN, SHIZUKU, and KOKONA — will be leaving both the group and their agency by the end of the year. While the announcement itself came as a shock, what followed quickly became an even bigger talking point among fans.
RAN, SHIZUKU, and KOKONA each released personal messages explaining their decisions.
RAN and KOKONA described their departures as the result of long periods of self-reflection, while SHIZUKU issued a formal apology related to her recent controversies and thanked fans for their support.
Kato Kokoro aka COCORO, however, remained silent.
RAN, SHIZUKU, and KOKONA have left parting messages to the fandom after announcing their departure from ME:I
— Produce 101 Japan Global Fanbase (@pd_jpn) December 24, 2025
There is no message from COCORO as of posting. https://t.co/wTyaoZqbQP pic.twitter.com/puMLt5JJ5Z
Why COCORO Didn’t Release a Statement?
According to reports from Josei Seven, COCORO’s situation reportedly differs from the other three members. While the agency had tried to retain RAN, SHIZUKU, and KOKONA before ultimately respecting their decisions not to renew their contracts, insiders claim that COCORO’s contract was ended by the agency itself.
This would explain why no farewell message was shared in her name, a detail that immediately raised questions among fans once the announcements went live.
Industry sources say discussions around contract renewal took place ahead of the year-end deadline, but unlike the others, COCORO was informed that her contract would not continue.
It is also suggested that she may not have fully agreed with that decision, contributing to the lack of public comment.
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A History That Followed Her Into ME:I
Josei Seven reports describe COCORO as someone who had already drawn concern within the industry before joining ME:I.
She previously debuted in a Korea-based girl group in 2019 but left within the same year following the termination of her contract. While no official explanation was provided at the time, insiders later hinted at internal difficulties.
During her participation in the Produce 101 Japan The Girls audition programme, she reportedly faced penalties for behaviour that disrupted group activities. Despite this, she secured enough votes to debut as part of ME:I, finishing in the final debut lineup.
The agency was said to have hoped that, as the oldest member, COCORO would mature into a stabilising presence for the group.
Cocoro dismissed after repeated nights out and returning home in the morning during her break… the “oldest member,” who was also called out by fellow members for habitual lateness (from ME:I’s official YouTube channel).
Ongoing Concerns After Debut
Those expectations reportedly did not fully materialise. Sources claim that punctuality issues continued even after debut, something that became an open joke among members during group content, where she was unanimously voted as the member most likely to arrive late.
Earlier this year, COCORO paused activities due to health reasons. However, during that break, reports emerged that her lifestyle choices, such as frequent drinking outings, raised questions about her focus on recovery.
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Insiders say the agency repeatedly issued warnings and offered support, but felt changes were not forthcoming. With concerns growing over the impact on group morale, the agency allegedly concluded that continuing the contract was no longer viable.
Unlike the other departing members, COCORO will leave ME:I without a proper goodbye to fans — at least for now. That absence has only fuelled speculation about whether she will eventually share her side of the story once contracts officially conclude.
For now, her departure stands as the most unresolved — and talked-about — exit in ME:I’s short but intense history.