Former FIFTY FIFTY Members Saena, Sio & Aran Begin First Trial for Lawsuit Against ATTRAKT
The K-pop world is abuzz as former FIFTY FIFTY members Saena, Sio, and Aran have officially begun their first trial against their former agency, ATTRAKT. The legal battle, which has captured the attention of fans and industry insiders alike, marks a significant chapter in the ongoing saga between the former members and their agency.
FIFTY FIFTY, originally consisting of Keena, Saena, Sio, and Aran, made a sensational debut with their hit song “Cupid” in 2023. The track quickly climbed the charts, earning a spot on the Billboard Hot 100 and the Official Singles Chart in the UK. Despite their rapid rise to fame, the group faced internal turmoil that led to a legal dispute with their agency.
In December, ATTRAKT filed a lawsuit worth approximately ₩13.0 billion KRW (about $9.41 million USD) against Saena, Sio, Aran, and their parents. The lawsuit alleged that the members had breached their contractual obligations. The first trial date was set for August 29, and the defendants have since submitted their responses to the complaint.
The legal battle began when the members filed for an injunction to suspend their exclusive contracts with ATTRAKT. The Seoul Central District Court received the filing on June 19, 2023. While Keena eventually withdrew her appeal and returned to the agency, the contracts of Saena, Sio, and Aran were terminated by ATTRAKT.
The past year has been challenging for the former members. They addressed their fans through handwritten letters, expressing their apologies for the concerns caused by the legal dispute. Despite the court’s rejection of their plea, the members received overwhelming support from their fans on social media.
Sio, the most active on Instagram among the three, shared a heartfelt message with fans on Valentine’s Day. Meanwhile, Saena and Aran have kept a low profile, preserving their memories as a group on their social media accounts but refraining from new posts since the contract termination.
Reports suggest that the former members are exploring opportunities to join a new agency and continue their careers in the K-pop industry. However, no official updates have been provided regarding their future endeavors.
As for FIFTY FIFTY, the group is set to make a comeback with a new lineup. ATTRAKT announced that they have recruited four new members to join Keena, forming a five-member group. The agency held private auditions and finalized the new members in April. The revamped group is expected to return to the music scene in September 2024.
ATTRAKT shared their excitement about the group’s new beginning, stating, “Last year, FIFTY FIFTY’s ‘Cupid’ achieved great results on the Billboard Hot 100 and the Official Singles Chart. However, before the group could achieve more, we faced a painful period due to unfortunate events. To take a new leap, we held private auditions and confirmed four new members. FIFTY FIFTY will make a fresh start as a five-member group, including original member Keena.”
The announcement of the new lineup has elicited mixed reactions from fans and netizens. While some are eager to see the group’s new direction, others have expressed disappointment and skepticism about the future of the former members.
Netizens have shared their thoughts on the trial and the group’s reformation. Comments range from support for the former members to criticism of their decision to pursue legal action. Some netizens expressed hope that the former members would learn from the experience, while others lamented the loss of the group’s original vocal talents.
As the trial progresses, the K-pop community remains divided on the outcome and its implications for the former members and the rebranded FIFTY FIFTY. The legal battle serves as a reminder of the complexities and challenges faced by K-pop idols and their agencies.
The first trial marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing dispute between Saena, Sio, Aran, and ATTRAKT. Fans and industry observers will be closely watching the proceedings, eager to see how the legal battle unfolds and what the future holds for the former members and the newly reformed FIFTY FIFTY.
