The trio of the K-pop group FIFTY FIFTY finds themselves at a crossroads.
According to a report by SportTV News on October 24, the Seoul High Court Civil Case 25-2 (Judges Kim Moon-seok, Jeong Jong-gwan, and Song Mi-kyung) rejected the appeal filed by FIFTY FIFTY members Saena (Jung Se-hyun), Sio (Jung Ji-ho), and Aran (Jung Eun-a).
The court stated that the trio did not submit their reasons for appeal and saw no grounds to overturn the original decision.
FIFTY FIFTY had claimed that their agency, Attrakt, did not provide financial settlements, nor did it fulfill its obligations to care for the members' physical and mental health. In June, they filed for a suspension of their exclusive contract, but the court dismissed their claims on August 28.
The members immediately appealed this decision. During this process, member Keena withdrew her appeal on the 16th and returned to the agency, Attrakt.
Keena later revealed in an interview that the instigator behind the lawsuit against Attrakt was An Seong-il, the CEO of The Givers, an outsourced service company that produced FIFTY FIFTY. An had been suspected of being behind the contract dispute from the start. Although An continuously denied any allegations, Keena's revelation confirmed his involvement.
Keena claimed that An falsely reported a COVID-19 infection to escape accommodations provided by the agency. He also allegedly threatened the members' parents by stating that 'the large investment amount the former CEO wants will become a debt on their children.' Keena's father released a recorded conversation with An, supporting these claims, which was met with shock.
While Keena returned to the agency, the trio continues their legal battle with Attrakt. They've also taken to social media to vehemently criticize both Attrakt and its CEO.
Amidst these controversies, An Seong-il appeared at the Seoul Gangnam Police Station at 2 PM today, four months after Attrakt filed a complaint against him. He, along with Director B who had been overseeing FIFTY FIFTY's affairs, were investigated on charges of business obstruction, embezzlement, and electronic record destruction. When reporters asked An if he acknowledged the allegations, he swiftly entered the police station without responding.
The trio, who recently had their contracts terminated, find themselves in a precarious situation after their appeal was also dismissed. On the 19th, Attrakt terminated the exclusive contracts of Saena, Sio, and Aran. Attrakt stated, "The actions of the three FIFTY FIFTY members show a grave breach of contract without any sign of rectification or remorse. We will discuss further actions regarding the members in the future."
