IOK Company has officially signed Saena, Aran, and Sio, three former members of FIFTY FIFTY, who are currently in a legal dispute.

On August 12, IOK Company told Newsen that all three members will keep their stage names, and there are no legal issues with their new contracts.

When asked about any concerns over signing them while their legal battle with ATTRAKT is still ongoing, IOK Company said, "We received a legal opinion that the exclusive contract with their previous agency has been terminated, allowing them to continue their activities without any problems."

Saena, Aran, and Sio have signed exclusive contracts with MASSIVE E&C, a new label under IOK Company. They plan to debut as a new idol group under MASSIVE E&C as soon as the second half of this year. IOK Company added, "We will fully support these talented and passionate members to help them grow on the global stage."

Saena, Aran, and Sio originally debuted as part of the four-member group FIFTY FIFTY under ATTRAKT in November 2022. However, just seven months after their debut, they filed a lawsuit to end their contracts, accusing ATTRAKT of business negligence.

The court sided with ATTRAKT, and in October, Kina, another member, withdrew her appeal and returned to ATTRAKT, apologizing to fans. ATTRAKT then terminated the contracts of Saena, Aran, and Sio, accusing them of serious breaches of contract.

On October 26, the three members, through their lawyers, stated that both sides had agreed the contracts were terminated, and there was no longer a need to contest the injunction. They asked the media to stop speculating until the main lawsuit is settled.

The reaction to the trio's new beginning with IOK Company has been mixed. While some international fans are excited for their comeback, many K-pop fans are critical, seeing their decision as too rushed, especially since the legal dispute with ATTRAKT is still unresolved.

Meanwhile, ATTRAKT is moving forward with a new lineup for FIFTY FIFTY, led by original member Kina. The revamped group is set to release their second mini-album on September 20.

Source: [1]

BTS member Jimin made history at the 2024 MAMA AWARDS, becoming the first solo artist ever to win the prestigious Visa Fan’s Choice of the Year award.

On November 22, Jimin was honored with the Fan’s Choice of the Year award at the 2024 MAMA AWARDS JAPAN, held at the Kyocera Dome in Osaka, Japan. This marks a huge milestone in his career, especially considering his ongoing military service.

Jimin made history as the first solo artist to win the Fan’s Choice of the Year award, a category that BTS had dominated for six years since its debut in 2018.

In addition to this achievement, Jimin also took home the Fan’s Choice Grand Prize, making him a two-time winner at this year’s awards.

Although Jimin couldn't attend the ceremony due to his military service, his name was met with loud cheers from fans when announced.

His incredible win continues to prove his global influence as a solo artist. Jimin had also won Best Male Artist at the 2023 MAMA AWARDS, marking back-to-back wins at the event.

The MAMA AWARDS praised Jimin for his groundbreaking achievements, saying, “As the first K-pop solo artist to reach 4 billion streams and set the longest-running #1 record for a Korean artist, Jimin has proven his influence as a world-class artist and global pop star.”

Jimin's win also made him the first solo artist to claim a grand prize at the MAMA AWARDS in 10 years, with his achievement sparking excitement worldwide.

On X (formerly Twitter), the hashtag “CONGRATULATIONS JIMIN” topped the trends, while “우리지민이상받았네” (Our Jimin Got the Award) reached the #1 spot in Korea.

Jimin’s ongoing success continues to shine even during his military service. He was also recently named Best K-pop at the 2024 MTV Europe Music Awards and continues to be recognized for his charitable efforts, including a recent donation of 100 million KRW to the National Defense Soldier and Veteran Love Fund.

Source: [1]