The music industry is reeling from a controversy surrounding the K-pop group FIFTY FIFTY, as their talent agency Attrakt revealed an audio recording that suggests The Givers' CEO Seong-il Ahn was attempting a buyout of the band members without the approval of CEO Hong-jun Jeon, causing a ripple effect among the members, the agency, and the producer.

On July 3 (KST), Attrakt disclosed a recorded call between CEO Jeon and Warner Music Korea's executive, Mo Yoon, to the media. Amid accusations of Ahn being the mastermind behind the band's buyout, Attract had previously sent a certification of contents to Warner Music Korea on June 26, asserting their involvement in the incident. Warner Music Korea, however, refuted these claims as baseless on the same day.

An Attrakt representative explained that Seong-il Ahn carried out the band's buyout without Hong-jun Jeon's approval, going so far as to suggest that there are further criminal activities being committed by An.

According to the released recording, Jeon appeared completely unaware when informed by Mo Yoon that there had been a proposal of a 20 billion KRW (about $15 Million) buyout to Ahn. Jeon had questioned what 'buyout' meant, and Yoon explained it as an acquisition of all the members.

Meanwhile, FIFTY FIFTY filed an injunction against Attrakt in June for suspension of their exclusive contract. The first hearing is set for the 5th of this month.

The law firm (LLP) Barun, representing FIFTY FIFTY, issued an official statement on June 28th, expressing that Attraht continues to discredit the members through ongoing media coverage despite the absence of any attempts to clarify the breach of contract issues. They emphasized that the members, despite their young age, have been acting independently and took legal action after extensive consultations with their parents.

The internal discord surrounding FIFTY FIFTY became public knowledge on June 23rd. Attract announced a temporary halt to activities due to a member's deteriorating health and subsequent surgery, stirring controversy by claiming that external forces were enticing their artists to breach their contracts.

Attrakt also claimed that "external forces attempted to poach the members," and sent a certification of contents to Warner Music Korea on June 26. They have pointed the finger at three individuals, including The Givers' CEO and the composer of the hit song 'Cupid', and even went as far as filing a criminal complaint with the Gangnam Police Station in Seoul on charges of embezzlement in business and obstruction of business. Attrakt alleges that The Givers covertly purchased copyright without providing any information about the purchase to Attrakt.

Having debuted in November 2022 with the EP 'THE FIFTY', FIFTY FIFTY is currently taking the world by storm with their first single album 'The Beginning: Cupid', released on February 24th. Within four months of their debut, they entered the Billboard Hot 100 at number 100, climbed to 94 in the second week, and 85 in the third week, and have also made it into the main charts on Spotify.

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