PARK YOO CHUN
Singer and actor PARK YOO CHUN has been ordered to pay damages to his former management agency for carrying out entertainment activities independently while still under contract.
The Seoul High Court ruled that PARK YOO CHUN and his former agency, Re:cielo, must jointly pay 500 million won (approximately 320,000 dollars) to the management company HAVE FUN TOGETHER.
The ruling upheld a first-instance decision made in December 2023, which had also found PARK YOO CHUN and Re:cielo liable for damages.
PARK YOO CHUN had argued that his exclusive contract with HAVE FUN TOGETHER had already been terminated, but the court rejected this claim. However, the court partially accepted a countersuit filed by Re:cielo, stating that HAVE FUN TOGETHER had failed to pay part of the settlement amount. The court ordered the company to pay 470 million won to Re:cielo.
HAVE FUN TOGETHER signed a contract with Re:cielo in January 2020, granting it exclusive rights to manage PARK YOO CHUN’s activities until 2024. In May of the following year, PARK YOO CHUN requested termination of the contract. After negotiations failed, he and Re:cielo sent a letter stating the contract could be canceled if the unpaid settlement fees were not provided.
When HAVE FUN TOGETHER did not respond, PARK YOO CHUN unilaterally declared the contract terminated and began working with another management agency, run by an acquaintance, to resume his entertainment career.
In August 2021, HAVE FUN TOGETHER filed for an injunction to prevent PARK YOO CHUN from appearing in broadcasts or engaging in entertainment activities. The court granted the injunction, but PARK YOO CHUN continued performing, including overseas concerts and advertisements, in violation of the order.
HAVE FUN TOGETHER later filed a damages claim of 500 million won, asserting that its management rights had been infringed.
Journalist: Shawn
Translator: Shawn
Source: SNS PARK YOO CHUN, YONHAP
