K-pop group FIFTY FIFTY’s comeback upsets fans with new lineup

By: POP! Jr Contributor - Xeres Roz - 5 months ago

K-pop girl group FIFTY FIFTY, known for their record-breaking debut single “Cupid,” is gearing up for a major transformation. After a tumultuous period marked by a high-profile contract dispute, the group is set to make a comeback with new members.

Last December, FIFTY FIFTY’s agency, ATTRAKT, filed a lawsuit worth ₩13.0 billion KRW (approximately Php 541.6 million) against members Saena, Sio, Aran, and their parents. The dispute, one of the most significant in K-pop history, followed the group’s rise to fame, which included entering the Billboard Hot 100 chart just 130 days after debuting.

As the legal battles unfolded, three of the original members had their contracts terminated and left the group. In response, ATTRAKT has recruited four new members to create a new image for FIFTY FIFTY.

On August 8, the agency introduced three of these new faces: Yewon and Chanelle Moon, both of whom competed in the survival show “R U Next?,” and Hana. The identity of the fourth member remains unknown, but according to Koreaboo, speculation suggests it could be Lim Haram, a former YouTuber known for her childhood fame.

Keena, the remaining original member, will be joined by these new recruits in the group’s upcoming mini album, set for release on September 20. A teaser titled “HELLO FIFTY FIFTY” reveals the three confirmed new members and hints at the anticipated album.

While many fans are excited about the new lineup, others are expressing their discontent. Some K-pop fans are critical of the group’s reorganization and are discouraging support for the new lineup.

One K-pop fan tweeted, “Do not support this group reorganization. Any money the company gains will be used to fund further legal action against the former members who were mismanaged/mistreated and only wanted to stand up for themselves.”

The situation even sparked a campaign among fans using hashtags like #NotMyFIFTYFIFTY and #BoycottFIFTYFIFTY.

“Supporting the reorganized lineup of FIFTY FIFTY condones ATTRAKT’s unethical business and artist management practices, as well as their attempts to erase the former members’ contributions to the group,” one user wrote.

Chanelle Moon, a highly anticipated debutant from “R U Next?,” faces mixed reactions. Some fans are disappointed by her joining the group, with one tweet stating, “People saying Chanelle deserved better and was mistreated while she was in the survival show just for her to go to possibly a worse environment willingly.”

Another user expressed, “I can’t believe we lost THEE Chanelle Moon to ATTRAKT.” Fans have even urged Chanelle to leave the group, with comments like, “Chanelle, you still have time to leave this madness…”

The official release of FIFTY FIFTY’s new mini album is slated for September 20, with a pre-release track expected on August 30.

 

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