Music

FIFTY FIFTY Seeks Resumption of Contract Dispute, Citing 2 Billion Won Advance Payment Issue

Aug 28, 2023 | by COLT NAVA

ATTRAKT Fifty Fifty's 'CUPID (Twin Ver.)' Continues Global Chart Storm, Ties Record for Longest-Charting K-Pop Girl Group Song in the UK

Girl group FIFTY FIFTY showcased their hit song at a press conference held at Ilji Art Hall in Gangnam, Seoul on August 13. FIFTY FIFTY's "Cupid" made its mark on the Billboard Hot 100 chart on August 12th (Korean time).

Girl group FIFTY FIFTY has announced their request for a resumption of their exclusive contract dispute.

On the 28th, FIFTY FIFTY members (Kina, Saena, Sio, Aran) revealed through their legal representative, Law Firm Barun, that they have submitted a request for a hearing resumption. They emphasized, "This is the second request for a hearing resumption since August 17th."

Barun explained, "Recent media reports have quoted multiple entertainment insiders saying that 'FIFTY FIFTY members owe a direct cost of 3 billion won, and if the revenue equivalent to the exclusive contract period does not occur, the (advance payment) debt is entirely borne by Attrakt.' This implies that the advance payment is a debt for Attrakt to pay, not something FIFTY FIFTY members should be involved in." They emphasized, "However, in this case, Attrakt is not a party to the advance payment contract and has never borne the advance payment debt from the beginning. The entity responsible for the maximum 9 billion won advance payment debt is not Attrakt but a third party, StarCrewEnt. Despite this, Attrakt has been repaying StarCrewEnt's advance payment debt by supplying FIFTY FIFTY's music and albums. Moreover, thanks to the supply of FIFTY FIFTY's music and albums, StarCrewEnt was able to receive an additional advance payment of 2 billion won."

Barun continued, "FIFTY FIFTY's issue is not with Attrakt's advance payment debt but with Attrakt's actions in repaying the advance payment debt of a third party, StarCrewEnt. Furthermore, StarCrewEnt is a company personally managed and controlled by CEO Jeon Hong-jun. Attrakt repaying StarCrewEnt's advance payment debt with the supply of FIFTY FIFTY's music and albums is an unfair support for CEO Jeon Hong-jun's personal company. This can constitute embezzlement and breach of trust, which significantly damages the trust relationship required in this exclusive contract relationship. Ultimately, this is one of the core issues FIFTY FIFTY members are raising in this case."

They added, "FIFTY FIFTY members have submitted testimonies and evidence multiple times regarding the illegal activities committed within Attrakt. They have requested a hearing resumption twice, albeit unusually, with the hope that these will be faithfully reflected in the trial and review. They sincerely hope that ample opportunities to clarify this core issue will be provided even after the hearing resumption."