Ahn Seong-il and Baek Jin-sil from The Givers were ordered to pay approximately 500 million won.
This case is expected to have a significant impact on future legal disputes in K-pop.
[TV Daily Reporter Kim Han-gil] The agency of the group Fifty Fifty, Attract, has recorded a partial victory in its lawsuit against Ahn Seong-il, the CEO of The Givers, and Baek Jin-sil. On January 15, the Civil Division 33 of the Seoul Central District Court announced a ruling stating that Ahn Seong-il and The Givers are obligated to pay Attract 499.5 million won. The court also specified that Baek Jin-sil is responsible for paying 449.5 million won of that amount jointly with Ahn Seong-il and The Givers.
Attract filed the lawsuit claiming that Ahn Seong-il and Baek Jin-sil violated their obligations under a service contract, resulting in financial damage due to failure to settle accounts and acts of embezzlement. They alleged that approximately 150 million won was embezzled without prior consultation, and they experienced disruptions in operations, including refusals to accept advertising proposals and the deletion of email accounts. Conversely, Ahn Seong-il’s side contended that the service contract was terminated by mutual agreement and denied involvement in the contractual disputes between Fifty Fifty members and Attract.
This lawsuit is closely tied to the contract disputes involving Fifty Fifty, with Ahn Seong-il being a key figure in the allegations of ‘external interference.’ This ruling is expected to influence future legal battles, including a 13 billion won damages case that is underway.
This ruling highlights the vulnerabilities in the contractual framework of the K-pop industry through the complex legal dispute between Attract and The Givers. The emphasis on compliance and contract fulfillment underscores Attract's claims, providing legal grounds for protecting K-pop artists' rights. With recent lawsuits involving high-profile artists on contract disputes, this case may empower more artists to assert their rights.
Ahn Seong-il is a central figure in the ongoing contract disputes concerning Fifty Fifty, and his legal accountability could influence the future dynamics of the K-pop industry. This ruling signals that it might play a critical role not just in compensations but also in redefining the relationships between K-pop agencies and artists. As the K-pop landscape becomes more intricate, such legal conflicts are expected to occur more frequently.
Lastly, the role of K-pop fandom cannot be overlooked. Fans are raising awareness about artists' legal struggles and advocating for the need to reassess the relationships between agencies and artists. It is hoped that this matter will ignite movements among K-pop fans to support and protect artists' rights.
This article is KOSTAR’s reinterpretation of a story originally reported by TVDaily.
Photo: DB
