From Fifty Fifty to EXO-CBX: Contract Breach Disputes Erupting Across the K-POP Industry

The K-POP industry is facing turmoil due to contract breach disputes. Industry insiders warn that such conflicts could undermine the foundation of the industry. Contract tampering refers to the act of competitors or producers approaching artists bound by exclusive contracts in K-POP without permission. In the past, such incidents were often overlooked, but with massive investments required to launch idol groups and rising profits driven by industry growth, reaching quiet settlements has become increasingly difficult. The most high-profile case involves the girl group Fifty Fifty. The group, which gained global fame through its Billboard Hot 100 hit “Cupid” in 2023, shocked the industry in June of that year by filing an application to suspend its contract with agency Attrakt. Attrakt suspected contract tampering, claiming that “external forces” were attempting to recruit the members. Those under suspicion included Ahn Sung-il, CEO of The Givers, the producers behind “Cupid.” The Seoul Central District Court ruled that it was difficult to conclude that Attrakt had violated its obligations to pay fees or neglected to ensure the members’ health care, and determined that Attrakt’s termination of its contract with The Givers did not constitute a breach of exclusivity. The members’ appeals were rejected. Keena, a member of Fifty Fifty, withdrew her appeal and returned to Attrakt, but Saena, Aran, and Sio had their contracts with Attrakt ended. Attrakt filed a lawsuit seeking 13 billion won in damages against 12 defendants, including the three members, their parents, and executives from The Givers, and accused Ahn Sung-il of embezzlement and forgery. In August 2024, the three former members signed contracts with Massive E&C, a subsidiary of global entertainment company IOK Company. In February of this year, the group, rebranded as Ablume, contacted Ahn Sung-il directly to request new music production, and he agreed. The dispute involving EXO-CBX, composed of EXO’s Chen, Baekhyun, and Xiumin, also drew industry attention. The three members sent a notice to SM Entertainment in 2023 requesting the termination of their contracts, citing a lack of transparency in profit distribution and unfair contract extensions. In January 2024, Baekhyun officially launched his independent label, INB100. A few months later, in May, INB100 became a subsidiary of One Hundred, jointly founded by singer MC Mong and Cha Ga-won, president of p_Arc Group. SM Entertainment alleged that MC Mong and Cha Ga-won were behind the EXO-CBX dispute and accused them of indirect contract tampering. These disputes reveal structural problems within the K-POP industry. In the past, incidents of this scale were typically resolved through quiet settlements as a matter of convention. However, with billions of won invested in launching idol groups and dramatically increasing profits from successful artists, economic interests have become more acute. As a result, situations where disputes must be resolved publicly have emerged. Industry experts warn that if such contract breach disputes continue to rise, they could severely damage the trust and stability of the entire K-POP industry.