Kang Daniel, Yuju, More Reportedly Leaving KONNECT Entertainment — Is The Agency Shutting Down?
Several KONNECT Entertainment artists have reportedly left the agency.
(Photo : Facebook, Instagram, Star News)
On May 21, Korean news outlet Star News shared an exclusive report detailing the departure of several artists from KONNECT Entertainment.
According to sources, founder and artist Kang Daniel has reportedly planned to leave the agency after his exclusive contract expires. The report also revealed that KONNECT Entertainment is on the verge of shutting down and has "effectively gone out of business."
Star News then disclosed that former GFRIEND member and soloist Yuju, who signed an exclusive contract with KONNECT Entertainment on September 1, 2021, has also concluded her contract with the agency in April. The outlet revealed that Yuju has also decided to become a free agent in the music industry.
Dance group WE DEM BOYZ, who joined in November 2022, was also included in the acts who plans to leave the agency. Sources state that the team has confirmed their intention to terminate their exclusive contract with KONNECT in November 2023 and has already in process.
(Photo : Star News)
Moreover, soloist and producer Chancellor has also reportedly left the company.
(Photo : Star News)
KONNECT Entertainment was founded by Kang Daniel in 2019. While the soloist has served as its founder, the agency's owner is a major shareholder who owns 70 percent of the company's shares.
Earlier on May 20, Kang Daniel filed legal action against major shareholder Mr. "A" due to charges of fabricating documents, money embezzlement, breach of trust, and information violation. During the process, other artists planned to end their contracts with the company.
Star News then shared that Kang Daniel's contract with KONNECT will expire in early June, and would step down as the company CEO.
This also led the agency on the verge of going out of business since all artists have left and only around 20 employees whose contracts have already been terminated, and KONNECT Entertainment's building in Sinsadong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul is currently being cleared out.
On social media platform X (Twitter), netizens were shocked by the sudden news. They also expressed their support for the artists amid the legal conflict. Here's how they reacted:
You will be back stronger than ever, smiling brightly like this again.
These hard times will pass too, and the spring will come again. Till this time comes stay strong.
I trust you and will be waiting for you no matter how long it takes.#KANGDANIEL pic.twitter.com/NkrSJuPjx8— daniwoon (@daniwoon1) May 20, 2024
Kang Daniel is that artist who bravely fight for his rights (for 2 times). He is that artist who openly disclosed about his emotional distressed & took a short break to heal & got proper treatment. Not everyone has courage to speak up & fight for themselves. Salute!#KANGDANIEL pic.twitter.com/xPOIroHIvX
— 𝙎𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙧𝙮𝙉𝙞𝙚𝙡 Ⓓⓐⓝⓘⓣⓨ 💕💕 (@AmizaSherry) May 21, 2024
Good news this morning. So let's wait for the latest news regarding Yuju's new agency 😊 https://t.co/FYxn86BmLf
— YUJU HASHTAG (@yujuhashtag) May 20, 2024
Oh my God, thank you, finally there is clarity on this. finally there is a day of freedom for yuju. now, we just have to wait for the latest news about yuju's new agency. https://t.co/GezP88bs2j
— Luv_ U _ Yuju (@2104Wenju) May 20, 2024
hoping yuju will get a better company (not bpm cuz they can't even manage their current artists well) https://t.co/AUAQqcD597
— ʚїɞ (@eunhalilac_) May 20, 2024
“yuju contratct with konnect has ended”
— thiti (@thiti_kimo) May 21, 2024
bpm: pic.twitter.com/ytc3Jnagx6
YUJU IS FREE FROM THE SHACKLES OF KONNECT YES GAWD
pic.twitter.com/B21Zqn9kqI— tooty ʚїɞ⁺¹ piwon d-3 (@taeseobzz) May 20, 2024
Whatever happened and going to happen, Kang Daniel is always the brave man for us. He let go all his employees and artists to protect them and from fight alone!
— ChompooOK🍐 (@ChompooOK) May 21, 2024
Other left but I, DANITY, will never leave... Here we are to support! https://t.co/0cnABHc8NX
dissolving all his artists contracts while facing the pressure all alone... this is so sad and admirable. https://t.co/pljNvQPBRV
— zara (@muglerdolls) May 20, 2024
This is really disappointing. I know Kang Daniel worked hard to create his entertainment company, and now the shareholder has ruined it. I hope he gets another chance or another company works with him and supports him. This isn't his fault. https://t.co/Vr5vDcI8E5
— 𝙰𝚗𝚐𝚎⁷ 𝚒𝚜 𝚜𝚎𝚎𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝙰𝚃𝙴𝙴𝚉 (@angelica_bailey) May 20, 2024
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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Kang Daniel Sues Agency Shareholder Over $7M Contract Dispute
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Written by Israel Monte
