A K-Pop idol who had conflicts with his former agency over unauthorized departure ultimately lost the lawsuit concerning his exclusive contract.
According to Star News, the Seoul Central District Court’s 31st Civil Division held a ruling hearing on October 8th for a ₩3.00 billion KRW (about $2.24 million USD) compensation lawsuit filed by Phunky Studio against Yu Junwon and ruled in favor of the plaintiff.
The court also confirmed that “Yu Junwon must compensate Pocketdol Studio [parent company of Phunky Studio] ₩685 million KRW (about $511,000 USD).”
This lawsuit, which began a year after its filing in September 2023, started in September 2024 and saw prolonged proceedings due to seven schedule changes and failed mediation attempts.
Yu Junwon placed first in MBC’s audition program Fantasy Boys 2 in 2023 and was confirmed as part of the debut lineup. However, disputes arose over requests to increase profit shares and unauthorized team departures. Yu Junwon filed for a provisional injunction to suspend the effectiveness of his exclusive contract with Phunky Studio, which the court rejected.
Subsequently, Phunky Studio reacted strongly, stating they would take firm legal action against Yu Junwon, who was secretly preparing a fan meeting in breach of contract. They also announced plans to identify Yu’s fan meeting producers, sending certified letters and injunction requests, and criticized such acts as shameless to the other Fantasy Boys members.
Phunky Studio stated that since Yu lost the injunction case, holding fan meetings or events without their knowledge is a clear contract violation and that they planned to file petitions with the Korea Entertainment Management Association and the Korea Entertainment Producers Association.
Despite this, Pocketdol Studio’s CEO Kim Kwang Soo extended his hand to Yu Junwon, saying, “If Yu returns, we will discuss with the members and move forward together. Although there are legal issues, I will try to persuade the producer Phunky Studio.” However, Yu remained unresponsive, and Phunky Studio, concluding that Yu had no intention to return, filed a ₩3.00 billion KRW (about $2.24 million USD) compensation lawsuit against him.
In response, Yu Junwon’s side stated, “Yu Junwon only signed a broadcast appearance contract related to Fantasy Boys 2 with Pocketdol and Phunky Studio, but never signed a formal exclusive contract thereafter,” emphasizing, “Negotiations to conclude an exclusive contract after the show ended failed due to a lack of mutual agreement.”
Afterward, the new agency CONTI announced in June, “We signed an exclusive contract with Yu Junwon in March. He is set to debut as a member of our upcoming boy group. We will fully support him so that he can focus solely on music and the stage.”
CONTI introduced the new boy group, led by Yu Junwon, as being composed of talented contestants who stood out in well-known audition programs such as Boys Planet.
Yu Junwon expressed, “Over the past three years, there were many days when I wanted to speak but could not. Now, I have found a company that sincerely supports me and members to run alongside.” He added, “I am grateful for the overwhelming support for the cautious news I shared previously. Thanks to all the hearts sent to me, I am practicing with gratitude every day. I want to share our team’s news first with the fans who have believed in and waited for me. The new sides I will show, our members’ stories, and news about meeting fans soon will all be delivered through this account. I hope you will watch our new steps here, no longer alone.”
Regarding past issues about Yu Junwon’s activities, CONTI emphasized, “Before signing a contract with Yu Junwon, we thoroughly reviewed the ongoing legal disputes with our legal representatives and confirmed clearly that there are no legal problems affecting his future entertainment activities.”
They also stated plans to actively support the artist regarding the damage lawsuit and “strictly respond, including legal measures, against malicious defamation and business interference that harms the activities of our artists based on falsehoods.”
However, with Yoo Joon Won losing the lawsuit, his future activities have been affected.
On the 8th, Phunky Studio issued an official statement regarding the first trial ruling on the compensation lawsuit against Yu Junwon, saying, “We received a judgment ordering Yu Junwon to pay ₩685 million KRW (about $511,000 USD), but we will soon decide whether to appeal.” They added, “The court clearly recognized Yu Junwon’s unauthorized departure and breach of contract in this first trial ruling. However, we consider the award amount insufficient compared to actual damages and industry impact, and if we proceed with an appeal, we are strongly reviewing and discussing demanding additional compensation on top of the original ₩3.00 billion KRW (about $2.24 million USD) claim.”
They continued, “This legal response will be carried through to the end to protect the rights of the 11 dedicated members of Fantasy Boys who have remained and performed earnestly, under the principle of stopping irresponsible departures while taking responsibility toward investors and partner companies.“
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