K-pop group FIFTY FIFTY is suing their record label ATTRAKT.
According to the band, the record label signed them to fill a roster spot and attract investors. The label, not expecting the band to explode in popularity, did not fulfill promotional duties for the band. The K-pop group cited other issues with the record label as well. These include forcing scheduled promotions, lack of transparency of settlements, and public disclosure of a band member’s health situation without consulting the band first.
You can read the full translated statement by the band below, courtesy of BARUN law firm.
“This announcement is from BARUN law firm, the legal representative of FIFTY FIFTY members Saena, Keena, Aran, and Sio.
We are here to inform you that on June 19, through their legal representative, all four members filed an application of provisional disposition to suspend their exclusive contracts’ validity made at the Seoul Central District, as the trial for this matter is ongoing.
This is because of the fact that agency ATTRAKT had violated contract terms and took on measures that led to the breach of trust between them and the members.
FIFTY FIFTY members haven’t responded yet, since the trial is in progress. The legal representative enumerated numerous concerns that have occurred until now and made a correspondence which demanded correction. However, ATTRAKT is discrediting the members through constant media coverage without clarifying the requests, hence, this statement.
The four members are doing their best to think ahead and approach the situation independently despite their young age. After discussing with their parents, they chose the option of raising the issue through a law firm’s help.
ATTRAKT hasn’t been listening to the members’ opinions, and instead they’re stating it was the doing of external forces, who are trying to poach their contracts, while not being able to clarify allegations of contract violation on their side. They also mentioned how ATTRAKT revealed the reason for a member’s recovery without properly consulting all parties involved.
FIFTY FIFTY members have also raised concerns regarding different situations that ATTRAKT failed to comply with.
These apparently include how there was no transparency in their settlements, and also unilaterally attempting to force them into scheduled promotions despite having poor health conditions. We clarify that this decision was independently made by the members simultaneously without a third party influencing their choices.
The members also know how important this time is, as well as the people who worries about them. When they first began their training, they were inspired to become artists who can influence others positively. The members didn’t go along with things that are wrong. They have chosen this decision independently, without any forms of deception or pressure.
We request that FIFTY FIFTY won’t receive any kind of defamation from ATTRAKT. All the four members want is to return to their fans, since they also promised to continue being hardworking artists.
Thank you.”
The band filed a lawsuit against ATTRAKT on June 28th. According to Korean news outlet Yonhap News, the 50th District of Seoul’s Central Court transferred FIFTY FIFTY’s lawsuit against ATTRAKT to a mediation court on the first of August. No more details have been released yet regarding the status of the lawsuit.
More updates on the lawsuit to come.
