[Exclusive]He said there was no problem… Yoo Jun-won, embroiled in 'unauthorized departure controversy,' loses 3 billion won lawsuit against former agency

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

• Court: "Yoo Jun-won must compensate Pocketdol Studio approximately 680 million won"

Singer Yoo Jun-won, who had conflicts with his former agency over an unauthorized departure controversy, ultimately lost the lawsuit concerning his exclusive contract with the former agency.

According to StarNews's confirmation, the 31st Civil Division (Multiple) of the Seoul Central District Court held a judgment pronouncement hearing on the 8th for the damages claim lawsuit filed by Funky Studio against Yoo Jun-won for approximately 3 billion won, and ruled in favor of the defendant.

It was also confirmed that the court stated, "Yoo Jun-won must compensate Pocketdol Studio approximately 680 million won."

This lawsuit began in September 2024, one year after the case was filed in September 2023, and showed signs of prolonged proceedings due to a total of seven changes in hearing dates and failed mediation.

Yoo Jun-won secured his place in the debut group Fantasy Boys by winning first place on MBC's audition program "Boyfantasy - After School Crush Season 2" in 2023, but conflicts arose over demands for an increase in revenue distribution rates and unauthorized departure from the team. In response, Yoo Jun-won filed a petition for an injunction to suspend the effect of his exclusive contract against Funky Studio, but the court did not accept it.

Subsequently, Funky Studio reacted by stating, "We will take strong legal action against Yoo Jun-won, who is secretly preparing a fan meeting in violation of the contract," and announced that they would also identify the production company behind Yoo Jun-won's fan meeting. They stated, "We plan to send certified letters and file an injunction petition for the performance to the planner and production company, and this behavior is a form lacking even a shred of conscience toward the members of Fantasy Boys." Funky Studio added, "Since Yoo Jun-won lost his petition for an injunction to suspend the effect of the exclusive contract, holding events such as fan meetings behind our back is a clear breach of contract," and stated, "We also plan to submit petitions to the Korea Entertainment Management Association (KEMA) and the Korea Entertainment Producers Association (KEPA)."

Despite this, Pocketdol Studio's Kim Gwang-su (CEO) extended an olive branch to Yoo Jun-won until the end, saying, "If Yoo Jun-won returns, we will discuss with the members and go together. There are legal issues, but we will persuade the production company Funky Studio." However, Yoo Jun-won responded with no answer until the end. Judging that he had no intention of returning, Funky Studio filed a 3 billion won damages claim lawsuit against Yoo Jun-won.

Regarding this, Yoo Jun-won's side emphasized, "Pocketdol, Funky Studio, and Yoo Jun-won only signed a broadcasting appearance contract for 'Boyfantasy - After School Crush Season 2,' and have never signed a formal exclusive contract since then." They added, "The exclusive contract was not concluded simply because mutual agreement could not be reached during negotiations to sign an exclusive contract after the broadcast ended."

Subsequently, the newly established agency Conti announced in June, "We signed an exclusive contract with Yoo Jun-won in March. Yoo Jun-won is scheduled to debut as a member of our boy group currently in preparation for launch. We will spare no effort in providing full support so that he can focus solely on music and the stage."

Conti stated, "Yoo Jun-won decided to join us because he trusted the direction and future potential of the boy group we proposed." They introduced, "The rookie boy group Conti will unveil is composed of skilled participants who have stood out in famous audition programs such as 'Boys Planet,' led by Yoo Jun-won."

Yoo Jun-won also shared his thoughts on this: "There were many days over the past three years when I wanted to speak but could not. Now, I have found a company that will sincerely help me and members to run alongside." He continued, "Thank you for giving us such great strength in response to the news I carefully shared last time. Thanks to your support, I feel gratitude every day and am devoted to practice. I want to share our team's news with you as quickly as possible, so I am informing you. It seems that all the new images I will create from now on, the stories of our members, and news about meeting fans directly soon will be shared through this account. I hope you will watch over our new steps together here, where we are no longer alone."

Meanwhile, regarding issues related to Yoo Jun-won's past activities, Conti emphasized, "Prior to the contract with Yoo Jun-won, we carefully reviewed the ongoing legal disputes with a legal representative. As a result, we clearly confirmed that there are no legal issues in proceeding with future entertainment activities." They added, "We plan to actively support the artist regarding the current damages claim lawsuit related to Yoo Jun-won, and we will respond strictly, including legal action, against any malicious defamation not based on facts or acts of obstruction of business that hinder the activities of our artists."

However, with Yoo Jun-won losing this lawsuit, it is expected to affect his future activities.

<© STARNEWS. All rights reserved. No reproduction or redistribution allowed.>

*This content was translated by AI.View Original