Category: KPOP NEWS

The glitz and glamor of the K-pop industry has recently been overshadowed by even more unsettling revelations surrounding the group FIFTY FIFTY. The group’s management company, ATTRAKT, has come under fire for allegedly failing to provide adequate meals. However, the plot thickens as both the girls’ agency and The Givers, an external company, were implicated in the infamous food dumping incident.

Documents obtained by media outlet Ten Asia revealed that ATTRAKT claimed to have supported FIFTY FIFTY‘s meal expenses from June 2020 to March 2023. The total expenditure amounted to 7.26 million KRW (~5,416.82 USD) over 33 months. This translates to a meager 55,000 KRW (41.04 USD) per member per month. 

However, there were 12 months during this period when the agency gave no food support. Moreover, beginning October 2022, when the members began their debut preparations in earnest, the manager provided meals. The financial statements didn’t distinguish between members’ and staff’s meals. In reality, ATTRAKT didn’t bear any costs as they divided the 726 million won among the members.

The diet provided by the agency consisted mainly of butter coffee and chicken breasts. From June to September 2020, this was the only food provided. In June, the agency calculated that the girls consumed 1 million KRW worth of food. This amount included the share of FIFTY FIFTY trainees. Over three months, they spent 172 million KRW on the aforementioned butter coffee and chicken breasts. In March 2021, they also included the cost of meals for photo staff (36 million KRW) in the members’ food expenses. In May 2021, they spent 102 million KRW on detox ingredients.

The mistreatment of FIFTY FIFTY

Members and their families were concerned about their diet, fearing it would harm the members’ health. Feedback from a trainer in the second half of 2021 noted a lack of protein and vegetables and emphasized the need for essential nutrients. Responding to these growing concerns, the agency consulted a nutritionist in June 2022. 

After the consultation, members were given a daily meal allowance at a salad restaurant. However, this allowance was capped at 10,000 KRW (7.46 USD) per day. FIFTY FIFTY‘s legal representative revealed that the agency only provided a diet chart, and the members managed food preparation by themselves. They would report to ATTRAKT by sending photos.

Adding to the controversy, an episode of Unanswered Questions shed light on the mistreatment of FIFTY FIFTY. The episode highlighted an incident where management tossed out food sent by the members’ families. It took place in July 2021 at the agency’s training center in Gangnam. ATTRAKT and The Givers operated as one entity then. Both companies controlled the members excessively, so distinguishing between the two would be meaningless.

Adding to the members’ distress, surveillance footage from the same month revealed an excessive number of CCTV cameras installed at the members’ dorms and the training center. These cameras, believed to be for monitoring, could reportedly be accessed directly from ATTRAKT CEO Jun Hong Joon’s office.

Challenges and hardships

A representative from another agency weighed in on the issue, highlighting the challenges faced by small to mid-sized companies in managing idols. They pointed out that although dietary management is essential, not considering the artists’ health is an outdated management approach.

These latest developments in the FIFTY FIFTY controversy shed some light on the darker aspects of the K-pop industry. While fans see the glamor and success, the artists often face challenges and hardships behind the scenes. It’s a stark reminder that the well-being of artists should always be a priority. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: They were practically starved by their agency. Source: Twitter/@fiftyfiftylog.

In a recent turn of events, SM Entertainment, one of South Korea’s leading K-pop companies, has taken a firm legal stance against an individual who trespassed into NCT Jaehyun‘s hotel room. The incident, which caused a stir in the K-pop community, occurred during NCT‘s US tour in October 2022.

According to exclusive details from Celuv Media, the entertainment agency is not only seeking legal action. It’s also collaborating with authorities to ensure a thorough investigation. The focus of this investigation is to trace the origin and distribution of videos taken in Jaehyun‘s hotel room. Such an act is not only illegal but also a grave violation of the artist’s privacy.

SM Entertainment said, “The video was illegally taken and seriously infringes on the artist’s privacy. We are collecting information on the individual that first uploaded the video and all individuals who redistributed it.” The agency will leave no stone unturned. They plan to hire investigators, local and international law firms, and website operators to ensure a thorough probe.

An overly obsessive fan

Earlier reports revealed that the one behind the invasion was a sasaeng fan. For the uninitiated, a sasaeng fan is an overly obsessive fan who often crosses boundaries, invading the personal lives of celebrities. Such fans have been a major problem in K-pop, often leading to distressing situations for the artists involved.

The incident with Jaehyun is a reminder of the lengths to which some fans might go, regardless of personal boundaries and privacy. The repercussions of such actions are not only distressing for the artist but also taint the image of fans who respect and support their idols without overstepping.

As the investigation unfolds, it’s crucial for fans to remember the importance of respecting others’ personal space and privacy. While love for an artist is understandable, it’s essential to ensure that such love doesn’t transform into an obsession that distresses or harms the artist. With SM’s swift action, it’s clear that the company won’t tolerate such invasions of privacy, setting a precedent for others to follow. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: Fans concerned for Jaehyun’s safety applauded SM’s decisive, swift action on his behalf. Source: Twitter/@127CENTRAL.