The global K-pop community has once again been shaken by an idol-versus-agency conflict. However, unlike previous cases which involved talent and record label, this time, an entire group is suing.
In an exclusive report by X-Sports News, it was revealed that all six members of idol group B.A.P filed a lawsuit to nullify their contract with their managing agency, TS Entertainment, as reported by KpopStars. The lawsuit was filed at the Seoul Central District Court on Wednesday.
According to the report, each of the members reportedly earned only an estimated 18 million KRW ($16,000) over the three years B.A.P has been active. This was despite the group's endless promotions and tours in different countries, as well as releasing 11 albums, including mini albums and Japanese releases.
On the same day the news broke, TS Entertainment stepped forward to deliver their side on the matter. In the agency's official statement, they said, "All this while, TS Entertainment has tried our best to support the various activities of our artist B.A.P and strived to meet our mutual goals. And like we revealed back on October 28, all their schedules had been cancelled to give them rest as we had made the protection of our artist our priority out of mutual consideration and trust."
The agency added that they are in the middle of talking about the group's future activities when they heard about the filing of lawsuit.
The company also assured there has been no contract or any form of unfair conditions in their contract. "Currently TS Entertainment is in the process of trying to figure out the details and the truth of the matter. However, we wanted to make clear that there is no such thing as a 'slave contract' or 'unfair contract conditions' in our contracts, and we have never given them unfair, one-sided treatment," they said through the statement.
KpopStars noted that while the case can be compared to that of former EXO Chinese members Kris (Wu Yifan) and Luhan, B.A.P's case is different as it is the whole group who is aiming for contract nullification.
However, B.A.P is not the first group to make such step. In early 2013, Block B also filled a similar lawsuit against their agency, Stardom. The seven-member group claimed that their wages were unpaid and that the agency's CEO owed them almost $70,000, borrowed from the idol's parents. The court however, ruled in favor of Stardom. Block B has transferred to another agency, Seven Seas, which currently represents them.
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