Fifty Fifty’s agency wages 1 bln won lawsuit against 'Cupid' producer

연합뉴스 / 2023-10-04 09:30:00

▲ This undated file photo, provided by Attrakt, shows K-pop girl group Fifty Fifty. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

Fifty Fifty’s agency wages 1 bln won lawsuit against 'Cupid' producer

SEOUL, Oct. 4 (Yonhap) -- Fifty Fifty’s agency on Wednesday said it filed a 1 billion won (US$735,000) lawsuit against its outsourcing firm The Givers and its executives over the girl group’s poaching controversy.

Attrakt, the girl group’s agency, submitted the case to the Seoul Central District Court on Sept. 27, alleging that The Givers, Ahn, and another executive surnamed Baek caused financial damages by obstructing its business.

Fifty Fifty Entertainment Agency said, "Ahn and Baek violated the obligations under the business outsourcing contract with Attrakt. They not only interfered with the agency's work but also engaged in fraudulent and detrimental actions against the agency's interests, resulting in financial losses."

Ahn produced Fifty Fifty’s global hit song “Cupid.” He had been under a 5-year project management (PM) contract with the agency since June 2021, overseeing the development of the agency's rookie girl group and handling main producing duties.

Baek managed and handled various aspects of this project.

After the global jackpot of “Cupid,” Fifty Fifty halted their activities due to disputes over their exclusive contract with Attrakt. The members applied for an injunction to suspend the effect of the exclusive contract against Attrakt, but the court rejected their request in August.

Attrakt suspects that The Givers may be behind the scenes of the exclusive contract dispute.

Attrakt stated, "We are seeking damages for business embezzlement and misappropriation by Ahn and Baek of The Givers, as well as the loss of significant opportunities such as advertising and sponsorship rejections."

The entertainment company added, "We have also taken into account the direct disputes between our company and the artist (referring to Fifty Fifty) caused by debt default and illegal activities. We plan to increase the amount of damages claimed in the future during the trial process."

Attrakt is currently engaged in a new girl group project, seeking to set the new group’s debut stage in the first half of next year.

jwc@yna.co.kr