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| "K-Pop Legal Showdown: ATTRAKT Takes Former FIFTY FIFTY Members to Court in Multi-Billion Won Lawsuit" |
In a recent turn of events, the K-pop landscape has been shaken as ATTRAKT, a prominent K-pop label, takes decisive legal action against three former members of FIFTY FIFTY – Saena, Sio, and Aran – as well as their parents and executives from The Givers, including Ahn Sung Il.
The unfolding drama, marked by a civil lawsuit filed by ATTRAKT on December 19, underscores the label's allegations of an unlawful termination of contracts by the ex-FIFTY FIFTY members and their associated individuals.
In a carefully worded statement, ATTRAKT confirmed the legal proceedings, stating, "We filed a civil lawsuit against former FIFTY FIFTY members Saena, Sio, and Aran for the unlawful termination of their contract, as well as The Givers, Ahn Sung Il, Mr. Baek, and the parents of the former members who had conspired with them."
The lawsuit is not just a legal battle; it is a financial battleground, with ATTRAKT seeking damages potentially amounting to hundreds of billions of Korean won. The label hinted at the possibility of the sum escalating as the legal saga unfolds, with reports from Newsis suggesting a lawsuit valued at ₩130 billion KRW (approximately $99.7 million USD).
Attributing the breach of contract to the trio – Aran, Sio, and Saena – ATTRAKT emphasized their role in the fallout between the label and the former FIFTY FIFTY members, as reported by Korea JoongAng Daily.
"The estimated damages and penalty fees reached hundreds of billions of won. However, we demanded the partial payment of 13 billion won, considering the possibility of a further increase in damages in the future," clarified the label.
The legal battle comes on the heels of a tumultuous year for FIFTY FIFTY, during which all four members sought to terminate their exclusive contracts with ATTRAKT. Allegations surfaced, pointing to the label's failure to fulfill settlement agreements, provide adequate support, and safeguard the well-being of the band. The group even claimed that their earnings for April went missing due to the label's oversight.
In the midst of this legal turmoil, one member, Keena, has chosen a different path. Returning to ATTRAKT, Keena issued a heartfelt apology to the label's CEO, Jeon Hong Jun. In an attempt to reconcile and address the situation, Keena personally penned letters to the agency's staff, showcasing both remorse and a commitment to truth.
ATTRAKT, acknowledging Keena's efforts and bravery in unveiling the truth, commended the member for taking a stand amidst the storm. As the legal battle unfolds and the K-pop industry watches closely, the fate of FIFTY FIFTY remains uncertain, and the repercussions of this lawsuit are poised to leave an indelible mark on the industry's landscape.
