On August 28, the K-pop world was abuzz with the news that Blockberry Creative filed an appeal to overturn the court decision which invalidated artist Chuu‘s exclusive contract with the agency. This move by Blockberry Creative is not just limited to Chuu. The agency has also expressed its intent to pursue legal action against five other members of LOONA who had previously won their injunction applications to suspend their exclusive contracts.
For those unfamiliar with such legal proceedings, an individual or entity in a contractual relationship makes a preliminary injunction request to the court. The petitioner will argue that due to the other party’s actions, continuing under the terms of the contract would cause them irreparable harm. But winning an injunction doesn’t end the legal battle. The petitioner also must prove their full case and argue that the actions of the party they’re suing warrant setting the contract aside.
@rappler Chuu responds to former agency petitioning to ban her from activities | #kpopnews #fyp #rappler
Chuu‘s legal battle with Blockberry Creative began when she filed a lawsuit against her ex-agency in December 2021, citing issues related to a loss of trust and profit settlement. The court attempted mediation in March, but both parties failed to come to an agreement. Her victory came on August 17 when the Seoul Northern District Court ruled in Chuu’s favor, confirming the non-existence of her exclusive contract with Blockberry Creative.
Drama and intrigue are the backdrop to this legal tussle. Chuu, who debuted with LOONA in 2017, was expelled from the group in November 2022. Blockberry Creative claimed that she had assaulted a staff member. Chuu countered this allegation, saying she had “never done anything to embarrass her fans.” Amidst this turmoil, Chuu found a new home with ATRP. She signed a contract with the agency in April.
@chuu.atrp
The stakes are high for Chuu
Interestingly, the criteria to win a preliminary injunction are stringent. The judge considers factors like the likelihood of success in a main lawsuit, the potential irreparable harm if the contract goes on, the balance of fairness between both parties, and whether suspending the contract aligns with public policy.
In a twist that has fans eagerly awaiting October, Chuu is finally set to make her long-awaited solo debut. The timing of Blockberry Creative’s appeal and Chuu‘s upcoming solo debut has captured the public’s attention, with many keenly observing their next moves.
@chuu.atrp
The stakes are high for both parties. If the former LOONA member’s victory stands, Blockberry Creative will bear all litigation costs. Moreover, Chuu wasn’t the only LOONA member to part ways with the agency. Some are now with other agencies and preparing to re-debut.
As the legal battles continue and Chuu embarks on her solo journey, the K-pop community watches with bated breath, anticipating the next chapter in this riveting saga. – K-Pop News Writer
Featured Image: Chuu’s free, but her ex-agency continues to bug her. Source: Twitter/@chuu_atrp.