Attract 'Artist Poaching Allegation' Lawsuit Worth 20 Billion Won Against Warner Music Korea

Attract Claims "All Key Evidence Secured"

Attract, the agency of the group Fifty Fifty, has filed a lawsuit for damages against Warner Music Korea.

Photo by Attract

On the 23rd, Attract, the agency of the group Fifty Fifty, announced that it has filed a damage lawsuit worth 20 billion KRW against former CEO Jin Mo and current Executive Director Yoon Mo of Warner Music Korea, alleging tampering (pre-contract contact before contract expiration) involving three former members.

Attract stated, "Warner Music Korea played a key role in the contract disputes with the former members of Fifty Fifty," and added, "They held a tampering meeting at Warner Music Korea headquarters on May 17 last year together with the parents of the former members, and our company has secured all the key evidence."

Earlier, in June last year during the Fifty Fifty incident, Attract announced a suspension of activities due to the members' deteriorating health and claimed that "there are external forces attempting to approach the members to violate their exclusive contracts with the agency," pointing to Warner Music Korea as the mastermind behind this.

Jeon Hong-jun, CEO of Attract, said, "The act of Warner Music, one of the world's top three record companies, attempting to steal precious artists from a small Korean agency is an unforgivable and shameless act," and added, "The actual amount of damages is higher; we are initially claiming 20 billion KRW and plan to increase the compensation amount later."

Fifty Fifty entered the Billboard main singles chart 'Hot 100' with their February 2023 release 'Cupid,' setting the record for the shortest debut to enter the 'Hot 100' among K-pop idols in just 130 days. However, in June last year, Attract revealed that there were external forces trying to poach the members, and on the 27th of the same month, Attract filed a complaint against The Gibus CEO An Seong-il and three others.

This lawsuit has raised strong awareness about illegal tampering issues within the K-pop industry, and depending on the outcome, it is expected to have a significant impact on future contract practices in the entertainment industry.