Contract battles and more: K-pop’s struggle with ‘tampering’

SEOUL - From Fifty Fifty and EXO-CBX to NewJeans, the ever-popular K-pop scene has recently been overshadowed by tampering disputes that could shake the foundation of the industry.

- 

Tampering, in K-pop, refers to unauthorised contact by an outside party — typically a rival agency or producer — with an artiste still bound by an exclusive contract.

While such cases were at times overlooked before, the huge investments needed to launch an idol group, and the increased rewards that come with the industry’s growth, have made a quiet settlement an increasingly tall order.

The most high-profile case concerned girl group Fifty Fifty, who rose to global fame in 2023 with their Billboard Hot 100 hit Cupid. But in June that year, the group shocked the industry by filing for an injunction to suspend its members’ contracts with their agency, Attrakt.

The agency responded by accusing “external forces” of trying to poach the members, raising suspicions of tampering.

Those said to be behind the alleged attempt included none other than The Givers chief executive Ahn Sung-il, who produced Cupid, along with two others.

The Seoul Central District Court ultimately dismissed the injunction, ruling that it was difficult to conclude that Attrakt had violated its payment obligations or failed in its duty of care for the members’ health and that Attrakt’s termination of its contract with The Givers did not amount to a breach of exclusivity. The members appealed but lost again.

Fifty Fifty member Keena later withdrew her appeal and returned to Attrakt, while the agency terminated its contracts with Saena, Aran and Sio.