The artists express strong opposition to the payment claims and indicate legal action.
The agency counters with its claims regarding the contract payment.
[TVDaily Kim Ji-ha Reporter] The group The Boyz (THE BOYZ) finds itself embroiled in an intense dispute over its exclusive contract, with the issue of unpaid settlement payments at the forefront. While the artist's representatives claim, "We haven't received a single penny of our settlement payments," the management agency, One Hundred Label, counters with claims of having already paid 16.5 billion KRW in contract fees.
On April 21, the law firm Yulchon, representing the artists, officially stated, "We have not received any payment, including the unpaid settlement from the third and fourth quarters of 2025." They emphasized that the management agency has repeatedly postponed payment deadlines, yet no actual payments have been made. They criticized the company, stating, "The claim of settlement completion is based on falsehood."
Conversely, One Hundred Label issued a statement on April 22, asserting that they have paid each member 1.5 billion KRW, totaling 16.5 billion KRW as contract fees, highlighting that this amount surpasses industry norms. They also emphasized that the contract payment serves as an advance payment, arguing that the artists’ claims misrepresent the overall structure. The agency mentioned that the withholding of payment was due to issues raised by the legal representatives.
The contract dispute between The Boyz and One Hundred Label extends beyond financial issues, evolving into a matter of trust between the artists and their management agency. The claims regarding unpaid settlement payments could severely impact the artists' cohesion and place psychological burdens on their fans. A lack of understanding regarding the intricacies of the contracts may further confuse the fanbase.
While the management agency's assertion of the contract payment is seemingly high, the artists' clear rebuttal concerning the payment structure indicates that this issue must be resolved through legal channels. If the advance payment is to be deducted from future earnings, determining how much money the artists have actually secured becomes paramount. This also carries implications for potential reimbursements in case of contract termination.
In the current situation, both parties need to substantiate their claims legally, while fans must observe the unfolding of this matter with caution. This incident serves as a significant lesson in artist image management and is likely to become an important precedent for resolving contractual issues in the future.
This article is KOSTAR’s reinterpretation of a story originally reported by TVDaily.
Photo: TVDaily
