Takahashi Juri signs with Woollim

Takahashi Juri, a member of Japanese girl group AKB48 who appeared on cable channel Mnet’s audition program “Produce 48” last year, will now be working with Woollim Entertainment, home to K-pop groups Infinite and Lovelyz.

“We have signed an exclusive contract with Takahashi Juri,” the agency announced Tuesday. “She will be a member of a girl group that will be debuting sometime this year.”

Takahashi also announced during a fan event in Japan the previous day that she will “debut in Korea as part of Woollim Entertainment with a new girl group.”

Takahashi, who debuted in 2011 after auditioning for AKB48, finished at No. 16 on the Mnet program. The 12 winners of the competition, which consisted of both Korean and Japanese singers, became members of the girl group IZ*ONE.

By Yeo Ye-rim