ATTRAKT CEO’s past mismanagement of a K-Pop Boy Group resurfaces amidst the Lawsuit with FIFTY FIFTY

After the news of FIFTY FIFTY‘s lawsuit against their company ATTRAKT, the CEO’s history of past mismanagement of a K-Pop group has resurfaced.

As announced before, the girl group filed for a provisional injunction to terminate their exclusive contract with ATTRAKT. The members claimed their schedules didn't suit their health conditions as well as accused their company of not paying them since debut. 

On July 4th KST, Dispatch posted an investigation which went against the members’ allegations as it showcased the CEO Jeon Hong Joon using his own money to promote FIFTY FIFTY and ensuring the members were healthy. This was against the desires of the producer Ahn Sung Il, causing conflict between the two. 

While Korean netizens sympathised with the company's CEO after the recent news, international fans tended to share their support for the FIFTY FIFTY members. Amidst the members accusing the company of breaking their contract’s terms, netizens have brought up proof of ATTRAKT CEO Jeon Hong Joon’s past mismanagement of the K-Pop group HOTSHOT. 

It seems the group has no ties to ATTRAKT. However, netizens discovered that CEO Jeong Hong Joon was the founder of the K-Pop company K.O Sound, which HOTSHOT debuted in. After HOTSHOT's debut, the company changed its name 2 times, once to Ardor & Able in 2015 and finally to Star Crew in 2017. 

Of course, one of the biggest disappointments among fans was that HOTSHOT wasn’t being promoted well by the company. As the company’s sole group, fans repeatedly shared their anger about the lack of opportunities the members were given. In 2017, Noh Taehyun and Ha Sungwoon got attention when they took part in Produce X 101. The show brought a lot of eyes to the members, especially as Sungwoon succeeded making the final lineup for WANNA ONE. Despite this, fans weren’t happy with the company’s actions. Along with a lack of communication about the members’ activities, there was outrage about how Taehyun’s activities were being organized.

In addition, a post which showcased the fact that all six members of the group had to stay in just one small room with poor living conditions.

After the recent news regarding FIFTY FIFTY, the treatment of HOTSHOT became a discussion, and international fans say they find it difficult to trust someone who has a past with mismanagement of a group. Many thought HOTSHOT had the potential to be successful , and it was brought to waste by their company managed by Jeon Hong Joon.

While we still don't really know which side is right, some netizens have struggled to find a way to believe the CEO after seeing that his old company had a history of mismanagement of idols. 

In other news, ATTRAKT CEO Jeon Hong Joon is scheduled to attend a court hearing regarding FIFTY FIFTY's contract on July 5.