Warner Music Korea (워너뮤직코리아) is a subsidiary of the American global music conglomerate Warner Music, based in South Korea. The company manages native South Korean artists as well as Western artists' promotions in South Korea. The company also functions as a record label and distributes music.
History[]
2023–present: Alleged tampering of FIFTY FIFTY[]
In June 23, 2023, agency ATTRAKT stated that they are currently in the midst of a legal battle against third parties that allegedly approached their artists to sign with them and encourage them to ignore their current valid exclusive contracts.[1] That same week, ATTRAKT stated that they have obtained material evidence that an outside party tried to get FIFTY FIFTY to join them and that Warner Music Korea had been involved in the discussions. They also sent a certification of contents and asked the agency to provide a precise explanation and statement of their position.[2] Warner Music Korea denied all the claims later that day.[3]
Over a year later, on September 11, 2024, in an exclusive leak by Dispatch, they exposed that on May 17, 2023, there was a secret meeting in the basement conference room of Warner Music Korea, where Jin Seung Young, the representative of Warner Music Korea, attempted to sway the members and their parents to go against ATTRAKT CEO Jeon Hong Joon by convincing them that their CEO is greedy and encouraged the members and parents to tamper with their contracts. The evidence Dispatch acquired nullified Warner Music Korea's previous claims of not being involved.[4] Soon after the exposé, ATTRAKT launched another lawsuit, this time against Warner Music Korea to seek compensation for the damages, thus they are accused of tampering by allegedly contacting the members before the expiration of their contracts. ATTRAKT CEO Jeon Hong Joon commented "The fact that a subsidiary of Warner Music, one of the three major global record companies, attempted to take away the valuable artists of a small Korean entertainment agency is an unforgivable and shameless act. The actual amount of damages is higher, and we plan to increase the claim beyond 200 million USD."[5]
Currently it is unclear whether, the other party involved in ATTRAKT's legal battles, production company The Givers was the primary culprit in attempting to claim FIFTY FIFTY for themselves, or if The Givers were attempting to move FIFTY FIFTY to Warner Music Korea by collaborating in violating contracts. The lawsuit and investigations against Warner Music Korea have yet to be finalized.
Subsidiaries[]
- MPLIFY (2024–present)
Artists[]
Groups[]
- AB6IX (with Brand New Music) (2019–present)
Soloists[]
- Jung Seo Joo (2022–present)
- Junggigo (2023–present)[6]
- MINUE (2023–present)
- DJ Glory
- Shaun
Former[]
Groups[]
Soloists[]
References[]
- ↑ Soompi: FIFTY FIFTY’s Agency Explains Group’s Lack Of Promotions And Legal Battle Against Third Parties
- ↑ Soompi: FIFTY FIFTY’s Agency Names Warner Music Korea As The “External Force” Allegedly Trying To Poach Members
- ↑ Soompi: Warner Music Korea Responds To Allegations Made By FIFTY FIFTY’s Agency
- ↑ (KO) Dispatch: [단독] "워너가, 그 安에 있었다"…안성일, 탬퍼링의 100% (녹취)
- ↑ (EN) Allkpop: Attrakt files $14.5 million lawsuit against Warner Music Korea for tampering with Fifty Fifty members
- ↑ @Warner_Music_Kr on Twitter (November 28, 2023)
- ↑ Soompi: BBGIRLS Parts Ways With Warner Music Korea
- ↑ @limjisoo.sing on Instagram (December 30, 2020)
- ↑ KpopStarz: Warner Music Talent Lim Jisoo Teams Up with Star Choreographer Jay Kim
- ↑ Soompi: Park Jimin Turns Over A New Leaf In Her Career By Signing On With Warner Music Korea As Jamie
- ↑ Soompi: Jamie Leaves Warner Music Korea
- ↑ @warnermusickorea on Instagram (April 4, 2023)