'Small and medium-sized idol' Fifty Fifty... Attract vs the forces of debauchery

《Kim Jiwon's Hidden Track》
Ten Asia reporter Kim Ji-won takes a closer look at the hidden stories of the music industry. We will vividly convey the facts and truth of the music industry issues.

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It is not unusual for a small agency to produce a large singer. This is because the conditions for second-hand agencies are significantly inferior compared to large agencies, from the training system to the production environment and post-debut promotion costs. Unlike the 'Gold Spoon' singers who have been attracting attention since their debut just because they belong to a large agency, singers from small and medium-sized agencies do not receive many opportunities. This is why Fifty Fifty, who set a record of entering the Billboard chart right after their debut as a member of the new agency Attract, is called the 'miracle of small and medium-sized idols'.

The future of Fifty Fifty was predicted positively. That was until there was some noise between the agency, Attract, and the distributor, Warner Music Korea.

On the 23rd, Attract announced a hardline response, saying that there are external forces trying to steal members of Fifty Fifty. Attract said, “Through slanderous accusations against the company and beautification of flattery against them, outside forces commit illegal acts to induce our artists to make wrong decisions and sign contracts with them, ignoring valid exclusive contracts. there is,” he claimed. Then, on the morning of the 26th, he said, "We sent a certificate of contents to Warner Music Korea. This is because we found that an outsourcing company approached Warner Music Korea and proposed to sell Attract's girl group Fifty Fifty." .

Attract directly mentioned Warner Music, the 'approach partner of an outsourcing service company', but did not disclose the 'outsourcing service company'. Attract is keeping quiet about the fact that it hides the 'reckless force' and points out only the 'approach opponent'.

Warner Music has issued a refutation to Attract's claim. Warner Music said, "We have done our best to make the brilliant achievements of Fifty Fifty and the agency more brilliant by mobilizing the group's capabilities and networks, but it is very regrettable that unsavory suspicions have been raised." did.

Warner Music has been in charge of distributing Attract's overseas records. According to industry insiders, when Fifty Fifty had to be active with its stock price rising, Attract had difficulties in raising funds and investing, and Warner Music came forward to help. Attract took Warner Music, a partner they had been working with, as a 'dark force' and set out to check it. However, Attract did not specifically disclose how and for what reason Warner Music was used as an external force to steal members.

Fifty Fifty, a 4-member group that debuted in November of last year, made a 'surprising achievement' by being on the Billboard main single chart 'Billboard Hot 100' in 4 months of debut through 'Cupid'. It was on the US Billboard Hot 100 for 13 weeks, and the UK Official Singles Chart Top 100 for 13 consecutive weeks. All of these are new records for K-pop girl groups.

Fifty Fifty, who has been in the midst of such gossip at a time when they should be active and growing. It is the Fifty Fifty members who suffer the damage while the agency and the outside force referred to by the agency play a game of chicken, but the direct position of the Fifty Fifty members is not revealed.

Fifty Fifty came running with the dream of becoming a singer and achieved the desired result like a miracle. What they want to become a long-running group rather than a flashy star is probably the members themselves, not anyone else. An agreement between the two sides is urgently needed so that their dreams, efforts, and potential can fully blossom.

If the two sides continue to run parallel lines, the Korea Entertainment Management Association (Yeonmaehyeop) should intervene before this situation becomes long. It is because putting Fifty Fifty, which shows the possibility of creating a next-generation global star, in this dispute is ultimately a loss for the K-pop market.

Reporter Kim Ji-won, Ten Asia bella@tenasia.co.kr