[Exclusive]'Controversy over Unauthorized Departure' Yoo Jun-won, 3 billion Won Lawsuit to Resume..Will Debut Be Halted?

*This content was translated by AI.

Singer Yoo Jun-won, who had conflicts with his former agency due to a controversy over unauthorized departure, has announced that he is joining hands with a new agency and will begin full-scale activities. Meanwhile, the lawsuit regarding his exclusive contract with his former agency will resume.

According to an investigation by StarNews, Seoul Central District Court Civil Division 31 (Da) will resume the argument session for the 3 billion won damages lawsuit filed by Funky Studio against Yoo Jun-won on the 23rd. This trial began in September 2024, exactly one year after the case was filed in September 2023, and showed signs of prolonged arguments due to a total of seven date changes and failed mediation. This argument session marks the first resumption since May, two months later.

Yoo Jun-won had previously secured first place on MBC's 'Fantasy Boys' and was confirmed as part of the Fantasy Boys debut group, but conflicts arose over demands to adjust profit-sharing ratios and unauthorized team departure. Consequently, Yoo Jun-won filed for an injunction to suspend the validity of his exclusive contract against Funky Studio but lost the case.

Subsequently, Funky Studio responded by stating, "We will take strong legal action against Yoo Jun-won who violated the contract and is secretly preparing a fan meeting," and added that they would also identify the production company behind Yoo Jun-won's fan meeting. They strongly criticized the move as "a form of behavior devoid of even a shred of conscience for the Fantasy Boys members" and stated, "We plan to send content certification letters and apply for performance injunctions against the planners and production companies."

Funky Studio further stated, "Since Yoo Jun-won lost the application to suspend the validity of his exclusive contract, holding events such as fan meetings without our company's knowledge is a clear violation of the contract," and added that they plan to submit complaints to the Korean Entertainment Management Association (KEMA) and the Korean Entertainment Producers Association (KEPA).

Nevertheless, PocketDols Studio Kim Gwang-su (CEO) extended a hand to Yoo Jun-won until the end, stating, "If Yoo Jun-won returns, we will discuss it with the members and go together. Although there are legal issues, we will persuade the production company Funky Studio." However, Yoo Jun-won responded with silence until the end, leading Funky Studio to judge that he had no intention of returning and filed a 3 billion won damages lawsuit against him.

In this regard, Yoo Jun-won's side emphasized, "Yoo Jun-won only signed a broadcast appearance contract for 'After School Club Season 2' with PocketDols and Funky Studio; there has never been a formal exclusive contract since then." They added, "The exclusive contract was not concluded simply because mutual agreement could not be reached during the negotiation process to sign an exclusive contract after the MBC broadcast ended."

Previously, the new agency Conti stated in June, "We signed an exclusive contract with Yoo Jun-won last March. Yoo Jun-won is scheduled to debut as a member of our boy group that is preparing for launch. We will spare no effort to provide full support so that he can focus solely on music and the stage."

Conti introduced, "Yoo Jun-won decided to join us after trusting the direction and future potential of the boy group we proposed. The new boy group presented by Conti is composed of talented participants who stood out in famous audition programs such as 'Boys Planet,' led by Yoo Jun-won."

Yoo Jun-won also responded, "For the past three years, there were many days when I wanted to speak but could not. Now, I have met members to run with a company that will genuinely help me." He continued, "I am grateful for the immense support you gave in response to my cautiously shared news last time. Thanks to the hearts you sent, I feel gratitude every day and am immersed in practice." He added, "I want to share the news of our team as quickly as possible with the fans who believed in me and waited for me. It seems that I will convey all future new images I will fill, stories about our members, and news about meeting fans directly soon through this account. I hope you will stay here and watch our new steps together, no longer alone."

Meanwhile, regarding issues related to Yoo Jun-won's past activities, Conti emphasized, "Before signing the contract with Yoo Jun-won, we carefully reviewed the ongoing legal disputes together with our legal representatives. As a result, we clearly confirmed that there will be no legal problems in proceeding with future entertainment activities."

They added, "We plan to actively support the artist regarding the damages lawsuit related to Yoo Jun-won, and we intend to respond strictly, including legal measures, against malicious defamation based on false facts or acts of interference with the activities of affiliated artists that hinder their work in the future."

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*This content was translated by AI.