Several KONNECT Entertainment artists have reportedly left the agency.
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.
Moreover, soloist and producer Chancellor has also reportedly left the company.
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.#KANGDANIELpic.twitter.com/NkrSJuPjx8
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!#KANGDANIELpic.twitter.com/xPOIroHIvX
— ๐๐๐๐ง๐ง๐ฎ๐๐๐๐ก โปโโโโนโค๏ธ (@AmizaSherry) May 21, 2024
Good news this morning. So let's wait for the latest news regarding Yuju's new agency ๐ https://t.co/FYxn86BmLf
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
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!
Other left but I, DANITY, will never leave... Here we are to support! https://t.co/0cnABHc8NX
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
— ๐ฐ๐๐๐โท ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ฐ๐๐ด๐ด๐ (@angelica_bailey) May 20, 2024
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