This user made a pretty good point

hyolyn

Zayn can't relate

This was mostly directed to Jesy Nelson

From their perspective saying this is better than them telling fans they just don't want to be in the group anymore for non-artistic reasons. Just a facade they prefer keeping

Kpop idols would never say this publicly

If they want to leave, i guess they have their own personal reasons.

I've always thought it was just an excuse to leave the group. I mean if it ends up being the same type of music, they get more creative freedom for their own music whereas with a group they're kind of forced to hold off on their own projects.