K-pop’s struggle with ‘tampering’
Summary
Recent legal disputes over contract tampering involving K-pop groups Fifty Fifty, EXO-CBX, and NewJeans threaten to disrupt industry norms and highlight challenges in artist management and agency relations.
Key Points
- K-pop group Fifty Fifty's contract dispute with agency Attrakt involves allegations of tampering and has led to lawsuits for damages and criminal complaints.
- EXO-CBX members challenged their contracts with SM Entertainment, claiming unfair terms and alleged tampering by rival figures MC Mong and Cha Ga-won.
- NewJeans and their agency Ador face legal battles after NewJeans claimed contract termination following the ousting of Ador’s CEO, leading to lawsuit and injunction proceedings.
- Industry associations emphasize that tampering undermines the sustainability of the K-pop business model, which relies heavily on long-term investments in idol groups.
