[TW: mentions of physical and verbal abuse, sexual harassment]
In the K-pop industry, excelling in the music scene is not something that can be done overnight, as it requires the unwavering chemistry of management, fandom strength, virality, results, and passionate drive.
Unfortunately, the harsh reality of many companies mishandling their artists is inevitably present and can vary from one another. Complaints that derive from factors such as overdue payment, mistreatment, or unfair conditions, are the most common cases for a lawsuit.
Here are 5 K-pop artists who sued their own company
1. EXO-CBX (against SM Entertainment)
EXO-CBX's situation is the newest case of artist-against-company lawsuits. On June 1, it was reported that through their lawyer and legal representative Lee Jae Hak from LIN law firm, members Chen, Baekhyun, and Xiumin have notified SM Entertainment of the termination of their exclusive contracts.
The trio planned to take legal action and a settlement lawsuit against SM. With an extended statement from the law firm, it enumerated the perspectives of the artists and their personal message to fans.
The topic led to a fiasco between SM Entertainment and agency Big Planet Made, involving breach of proximity, as well as allegations of BPM prompting EXO-CBX to sue SM.
2. LOONA (against BlockBerry Creative)
LOONA's dispute against agency BlockBerry Creative began when Chuu was entangled in an alleged mistreatment involving shares distribution, leading the court to rule in her favor in 2022.
However on November 25, 2022 BlockBerry Creative announced Chuu's removal from the group due to "violent language and abuse of power" to a staff, angering fans and LOONA. This led to the members' individual lawsuits against BlockBerry Creative.
On January 13, four out of nine members who filed an injunction have won, validating their request to suspend their exclusive contracts. The contracts of HeeJin, Kim Lip, JinSoul, and Choerry have now been terminated.
Meanwhile, the five members who lost the case (HaSeul, Yeojin, Yves, Olivia Hye, and Gowon), remained as artists under BlockBerry Creative. Members ViVi and HyunJin followed up an injunction on February 3, and have reportedly won the case on May 9.
3. Former MOMOLAND Daisy (against MLD Entertainment)
Former MOMOLAND member Daisy sued agency MLD Entertainment for withholding her earnings, which were utilized on the production cost of "Finding Momoland" in April 2016.
On July 22, 2016, the survival program "Finding Momoland" held its first episode, but Daisy was eliminated in the show. However, an exclusive contract was later signed with MLD Entertainment in September 2016 when the agency recruited her despite being eliminated, leading Daisy to become the additional member of MOMOLAND in April 2017.
This led MLD Entertainment to deduce 66 million won ($55,251 USD) from Daisy's earnings, which was equal to the production cost of "Finding Momoland," which was 10 percent of 660 million won ($552,510).
Daisy's lawsuit aimed to recover the cost, to which the court had ruled in favor, leading MLD Entertainment to pay the idol a figure of 79.26 million won ($66,345). The court added that 13 million and should be paid for Daisy lack of compensation.
4. Sleepy (against TS Entertainment)
TS Entertainment has its own history of legal disputes from its own artists due to mistreatment, overdue payments, and many more.
One of its former artists Sleepy from hip hop duo Untouchable, filed a lawsuit concerning breach of trust, when the company refused to inform him of his payment documents and his exclusive contract's physical copy. Sleepy also went through accusations of embezzlement from the company, to which he denied.
5. OMEGA X (against SPIRE Entertainment)
OMEGA X's case shocked the K-pop community, as it involves verbal and physical abuse. Fans reportedly saw the members being hit in public by the former CEO of SPIRE Entertainment, Kang Seong Hee.
The group filed a lawsuit against the agency, as well as criminal charges against the CEO. However, numerous allegations followed up even after the CEO's resignation from the company, involving details of sexual harassment, and exploitation.
On January 11, OMEGA X won their lawsuit, leading their exclusive contracts with the agency to be suspended.
Which lawsuit shocked you the most? Let us know in the comments below!
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