ARAN, SAENA, SIO
It seems it will still take a little time before seeing the results of the trial concerning former FIFTY FIFTY members SAENA, SIO, and ARAN.
The 61st Civil Division of the Seoul Central District Court canceled the sentencing date for this trial, which was scheduled for November 13 at 2 PM KST, and decided to reopen arguments. The specific reason for reopening the arguments was not disclosed, and the next hearing date has been set for January 15 of next year at 11 AM KST.
The conflict between ATTRAKT and SAENA, SIO, and ARAN broke out in 2023. At that time, following the massive success of “Cupid” on the global stage, the 4 members of FIFTY FIFTY suddenly suspended their activities and filed an application for an injunction to suspend the effect of their exclusive contract against their agency ATTRAKT. In response, ATTRAKT claimed there were forces that incited the breach of the members’ exclusive contracts, naming 3 people, including CEO AHN SUNG IL of the outsourcing company THE GIVERS and producer of “Cupid”, as the instigators of the tampering.
The members claimed professional misconduct by the agency citing three reasons: “failure to fulfill settlement obligations”, “disregard for health protection”, and “lack of support”, but the court did not accept them. During this process, KEENA returned alone to ATTRAKT, and in December of the same year, ATTRAKT filed a damages lawsuit of approximately 13 billion won against a total of 12 people, including the 3 former members and their parents, as well as CEO AHN SUNG IL and Director BAEK of the subcontracted service company THE GIVERS.
Initially, the first hearing of this trial was scheduled to take place in August 2024, but it was postponed due to the counterclaim filed by the 3 former members, and the trial resumed a year later when the request to set a pleading date requested by ATTRAKT was accepted. Then, after three pleading hearings last April, July, and September, just when it was thought a conclusion was going to be reached, the trial was postponed once again, placing the outcome of the lawsuit in a situation where it must continue to be observed.
Journalist: Shawn
Translator: Shawn
Source: SNS ARAN, SAENA, SIO
