"Allegations of False Statements and Defamation"
The agency Attract and CEO Jeon Hong-jun of the group 'FIFTY FIFTY' have filed a complaint with the police against CP Han Jae-shin and PD Jo Sang-yeon of SBS TV's current affairs and culture program 'Unanswered Questions'.
On the 18th, Attract's legal representative, lawyer Kim Byung-ok, announced that a complaint was filed at the Gangnam Police Station in Seoul against CP Han and PD Jo on charges of defamation by false facts (Article 307, Paragraph 2 of the Criminal Act).
Lawyer Kim stated, "The accused broadcast biased content without verifying the facts. They defamed the agency and CEO Jeon Hong-jun by stating false facts."
'Unanswered Questions' focused on the FIFTY FIFTY controversy in the episode titled "Billboard and Girl Groups? Who Broke Their Wings?" aired on August 19 last year. The broadcast aired ten days before the result of the provisional injunction application filed by the three former members regarding the non-existence of an exclusive contract was announced.
At the time of airing, viewers pointed out that "the content was biased toward one side (the former members of FIFTY FIFTY)." With 1,146 complaints received, the Korea Communications Standards Commission (KCSC) held a Broadcasting Deliberation Subcommittee on the 5th of last month and unanimously decided to issue a legal sanction 'warning' for the episode. Legal sanctions are recognized as severe disciplinary actions and are grounds for point deductions during broadcast license renewals or re-approvals by the Korea Communications Commission.
Attract CEO Jeon Hong-jun [Photo by Studio Jam]
CEO Jeon Hong-jun stated, "Since the accused have not offered any sincere apology to date, we decided to file the complaint. Although it will be a difficult path, we intend to fight to protect not only our agency's honor but also the justice of K-pop as a whole."
FIFTY FIFTY debuted with the title track "Cupid" from their first single album 'The Beginning: Cupid,' released on February 24 last year. They made history by entering the US Billboard main singles chart 'Hot 100' at number 100 just 130 days after their debut. The track later rose to 17th place, gaining significant attention. Their 25-week charting on the Hot 100 is the longest entry record for a K-pop girl group.
However, the activities of FIFTY FIFTY were halted after all four members filed an application to suspend the effect of their exclusive contract against Attract. The court did not accept this even on appeal, and Kina was the only member to submit a withdrawal of the appeal to the court just before the appellate decision and returned to Attract.
After the appellate court ruling, Attract notified Saena, Sio, and Aran of the termination of their exclusive contracts. Currently, Attract is in the process of selecting new members for FIFTY FIFTY.
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