Sleepy wins final lawsuit against former agency... End of 5-year dispute

Sleepy Wins Final Legal Battle Against Former Agency TS Entertainment

Photo of singer Sleepy. [Photo by Yonhap News]

Singer Sleepy has finally won the legal battle against his former agency that lasted five years. On the 13th, Sleepy posted on Instagram, "It took five years," and announced, "I have finally won the final victory in the lawsuit filed by my former agency." The Supreme Court's 3rd Division dismissed the appeal filed by Sleepy's former agency, TS Entertainment, in the damages claim lawsuit against Sleepy on the 12th. TS was also ordered to bear the litigation costs. TS had lost in both the first and second trials and filed an appeal.

The Supreme Court explained, "After reviewing the case records, the lower court's judgment, and the reasons for the appeal, it was recognized that the claims regarding the reasons for the appeal do not include the grounds stipulated in Article 4, Paragraph 1 of the Special Act on Appeal Procedures or are without merit. Therefore, pursuant to Article 5 of the same law, the appeal is dismissed, and the judgment is made as ordered with the unanimous opinion of the participating justices."

In April 2019, Sleepy filed a civil lawsuit at the Seoul Western District Court against TS Entertainment to confirm the non-existence of the exclusive contract's effect. At the first hearing held in August of the same year, the court requested mediation from both parties, which was accepted. Subsequently, in December 2019, TS Entertainment initiated a damages claim lawsuit against Sleepy for breach of the exclusive contract amounting to approximately 280 million KRW, marking the start of the legal dispute. TS Entertainment claimed, "Sleepy concealed part of his broadcast appearance fees and advertising income from social media promotions from the agency."

However, in June, the 15th Civil Division of the Seoul High Court ruled against the plaintiff in the damages claim lawsuit. The second trial court judged, "Since the exclusive contract between the plaintiff and the defendant was lawfully terminated through court mediation, damages cannot be claimed based on the exclusive contract. Furthermore, the entertainment programs Sleepy appeared on in 2019 were paid for after the termination of the exclusive contract and thus are not subject to distribution."

TS Entertainment filed an appeal against the second trial's ruling in July, but the Supreme Court sided with Sleepy. Sleepy expressed, "I am grateful to everyone who has supported me throughout this time, and I will show you an even more dedicated performance going forward."