A lot of spicy developments happened since POP!’s last article about the legal dispute between K-Pop girl group FIFTY FIFTY and their agency ATTRAKT. Here’s a shorter and much more concise compilation of what has happened.
August 28, 2023 – FIFTY FIFTY is denied of their request to suspend their contracts with ATTRAKT
In June 2023, FIFTY FIFTY filed for a disposition to suspend their contracts with ATTRAKT, with the court recommending a mediation between the two parties later in July. However, in August, FIFTY FIFTY announced that they would not continue with the mediation, thus continuing their trial in court. Following this hearing, FIFTY FIFTY’s legal rep cited 3 claims to substantiate the members’ need for the suspension, which were the following: lack of financial transparency, the neglect of the company towards the FIFTY FIFTY members’ health, and the lack of resources to support their activities.
On August 28, 2023, the Seoul Central District Court denied the girl group’s request, stating that the claims made had “insufficient evidence.” In terms of the claim for the lack of financial transparency, the court said, “There was no instance of FIFTY FIFTY making a request for correction and the agency not complying, and there was no instance of the agency violating their duty more than once or for a long period of time, it is difficult to see this incident as causing an irreparable breach of trust.”
As for the issue with members’ health, the court said, “After discovering the issue with FIFTY FIFTY Aran’s health, the agency arranged for her to be diagnosed. They then checked on her diagnosis and progress, and they adjusted their promotion schedule and set up a date for the surgery.”
For the company’s alleged lack of resources, the court also said, “It is difficult to say that the agency is in violation of their exclusive contract just because The Givers is no longer working with the company.”
October 13, 2023 – FIFTY FIFTY reveals distressing information surrounding their relationship with ATTRAKT on their social media account
On October 13, 2023, FIFTY FIFTY took to their official social media account (@/fifi_fifi1118) to reveal the reasons why they are fighting intensely for the suspension of their contracts with ATTRAKT.
Trigger warning: Eating disorders, body and weight issues
In lengthy posts on Instagram backed with photo evidence, FIFTY FIFTY members Saena, Sio, and Aran detailed each of the horrendous treatments they’ve received from ATTRAKT and their employees.
Here is a translation courtesy of @/hunniesunited on X.
Translated version of testimony by Fifty Fifty members posted on their Instagram, Oct 13, 2023. Please share these widely. Their story must be made known. pic.twitter.com/71K4uitBGw
— HunniesUnited (@hunniesunited) October 13, 2023
In short, Saena detailed her severe diet and her experience with heightened anorexia and bulimia. Sio shared her doctor’s report for severe anxiety and social phobia, where she had been continuously pressured by ATTRAKT to diet even though doctors were telling her otherwise due to her kidneys’ condition.
Aran shared her medical certificate, which stated that she had to undergo surgery to remove her gall bladder due to delays and the company’s mistreatment. Her statement included how each of the members’ weights were scrutinized on a weekly basis.
The damning post on their Instagram was titled, “How much longer do we have to suffer to get proper care?” and their posts included the FIFTY FIFTY members stating, “’Lovin’ Me,’ ‘Tell Me,’ and ‘Log In,’ are songs completed by a member who suffered several seizures from panic disorder, fainting on the street, and waking up on an oxygen respirator. ‘Cupid’ is a song completed by a member who suffered from chronic inflammation, delayed surgery, and endured taking painkillers, participating into the early hours of the morning.”
October 17, 2023 – Member Keena pulls out from the group’s lawsuit against ATTRAKT, saying that she wants to return to the agency
In a surprising turn of events, especially after the statements released by her fellow members, FIFTY FIFTY’s Keena is set to return to ATTRAKT. An insider from ATTRAKT confirmed this, stating that the FIFTY FIFTY member had met with CEO Jeonn Hong-joon and will be taking time to self-reflect before talking about the future.
CEO Jeon Hong-joon shared in various interviews, “Keena was really worn out. She must have had a difficult time. She said that she was sorry and that she apologized while crying. I’m grateful she picked up the courage to return even if late.”
October 18, 2023 – FIFTY FIFTY members open an X account to continue spreading their story
The FIFTY FIFTY members (unclear if Keena is still continuing with her fellow members) opened an X account, to spread more awareness on their story. On it, they have posted their past photo evidence, along with a new set of photos explaining ATTRAKT’s payment structure.
TL;DR: the payment structure is seen to be paying another company’s debts first before FIFTY FIFTY.
#FIFTYFIFTY #피프티피프티 pic.twitter.com/ISNsmnPdRr
— FIFI (@fifi20221118) October 18, 2023
FIFTY FIFTY stated that they didn’t know why ATTRAKT (therefore themselves) should reimburse Star Crew’s debt.
FIFTY FIFTY’s trainee contracts were transferred from Star Crew to ATTRAKT in June 2021. This transfer contract never said anything about how ATTRAKT would pay Star… pic.twitter.com/FRU51u4e17
— fifty fifty archive (@fiftyfiftylog) October 18, 2023
The new post from fifty fifty clarifies one point, revenue from Warner distributed music also goes into the Interpark advance, so it never reaches Attrakt. This means that company S already fully benefited from funds they spent without explanation+ pic.twitter.com/sOadCFvMqt
— Jjo loves 5050 (@Jjojjo5050) October 18, 2023
Those, so far, are the most recent developments to FIFTY FIFTY’s legal case with ATTRAKT. Still, it’s saddening to see such a talented group—whose breakthrough song had climbed them to fame, only for their company to topple it all down in just one year.
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