Fifty Fifty’s agency Attrakt to take legal action over Warner Music’s poaching attempt

“We have obtained comprehensive legal evidence proving that Warner Music Korea, The Givers, and former Fifty Fifty members Aran, Saena and Sio colluded to breach their exclusive contracts and engaged in tampering activities,” Attrakt said in a statement written only in English.

“We have secured audio recordings from their meetings held on May 13, 17, and June 6, 2023, along with other related materials,” the agency said. “According to the plans discussed in their recorded meetings, these tampering parties filed a provisional injunction to suspend the effectiveness of their exclusive contracts with Attrakt on June 19, 2023.”

The statement came two days after local news outlet Dispatch reported that Ahn Sung-il of production company The Givers told the parents of Fifty Fifty members that he had a connection at Warner Music, referred to as Chief Financial Officer Simon, who “agreed to sign with Fifty Fifty.”

Warner Music Korea denied having a hand in the Fifty Fifty former members’ rebellion against the agency, but former executives of Warner Music Korea had met with the members’ parents, according to the Dispatch report.

“Warner Music Korea, the principal force behind this tampering, has attempted to unlawfully seize our valuable artists through the use of financial and coercive power,” Attrakt said. “We will not succumb to the might of such corporate giants and are prepared to stand resolutely against these actions.”

“From today, we will be rigorously reviewing all legal options against Warner Music Korea. We reaffirm our commitment to holding all parties involved in this tampering scheme fully accountable,” the agency said.

Fifty Fifty is getting ready for its grand re-debut to take place on Sept. 20 with original member Keena and four new members: Chanelle Moon, Yewon, Hana and Athena.

The new album, “Love Tune,” comes a year after the girl group’s last album, “The Beginning,” a compilation of remixes and songs sung by the original members without any new songs. It is also the first major project under the Fifty Fifty name since its meteoric single “Cupid “(2023) put the group’s name on the global music map.

BY YOON SO-YEON [yoon.soyeon@joongang.co.kr]