In the face of considerable controversy, 'Cupid' by FIFTY FIFTY continues to cruise on the Billboard charts.

According to the latest chart released by Billboard on July 18 (local time), FIFTY FIFTY's 'Cupid' clinched 27th place on the 'Hot 100' and 17th place on the 'Global 200' (excluding the US). With this, FIFTY FIFTY has successfully made it into the 'Hot 100' for 17 weeks, and the 'Global 200' chart for 18 consecutive weeks.

Until now, the longest K-pop girl group track on the 'Hot 100' was 'Kiss and Makeup' by BLACKPINK in collaboration with Dua Lipa. However, FIFTY FIFTY broke the previous 12-week record, making a new record with 17 weeks on the chart.

Despite issues ranging from exclusive contract disputes to copyright issues surrounding 'Cupid', FIFTY FIFTY has continuously secured its place on the U.S. Billboard charts, thereby maintaining the title of 'Miracle of the Underdogs'.

Last month, Hong Joon Jeon, CEO of Attrakt, the group's agency, exposed attempts by An Sung Il, CEO of The Givers, a producing service company, to unilaterally buy out FIFTY FIFTY. In response, An Sung Il's side refuted this as "groundless."

In addition, FIFTY FIFTY members Sana, Kina, Aran, and Sio have filed for an injunction to suspend the effect of their exclusive contract with Attrakt. The reasons cited included opaque settlement processes and broken trust due to unilateral enforcement of activities despite expressing their health concerns making it difficult for them to perform.

As CEO Hong Joon Jeon wishes for the members of FIFTY FIFTY to return, the Korean Music Copyright Association (KOMCA) has decided to withhold copyright royalties for 'Cupid' starting this month. KOMCA explained that they took this decision according to internal rules stating that "when a dispute related to copyright arises, the payment of royalties is withheld."

Recent reports have alleged that CEO An Sung Il forged the signatures of the three Swedish composers who originally wrote 'Cupid' (Adam von Mentzer, Mac Fellander, Louise Udin) to change the copyright stake. It was also revealed that An Sung Il purchased the copyright of 'Cupid' without the knowledge of CEO Hong Joon Jeon, which is seen as a violation of their service contract.

The Givers refuted these claims stating they had concluded the copyright acquisition process before the registration of the copyright. They added that additional work on the original song, which was purchased for other artists, gave birth to 'Cupid' and they denied the suspicions outright.

Meanwhile, on July 19, celebrity backroom news reporter Jin Ho Lee released a recorded conversation related to the music video shooting for the movie 'Bobby'. CEO An Sung Il argued that the music video shooting was cancelled due to the unilateral decision of CEO Hong Joon Jeon. However, according to the recording, it seems that the cancellation of the 'Bobby' music video shoot was due to the lawsuit regarding the exclusive contract filed by the members of FIFTY FIFTY.

As the FIFTY FIFTY situation continues to unfold, the Korean Entertainment Management Association (KEMA) also stated that it will "take a more proactive stance on the unhealthy issues causing turmoil in the industry." All eyes are on the unfolding developments and potential outcomes of the FIFTY FIFTY saga.

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