The Korea Entertainment Producer’s Association (KEPA) has publicly addressed the recent controversy surrounding NewJeans and their termination of their exclusive contract with ADOR, sparking significant discussion within the K-pop industry.

KEPA Labels NewJeans’ Actions as “Industry-Shaking”

On December 6, KEPA released a statement condemning NewJeans’ announcement about ending their contract. The association described the group’s decision as “shaking the industry to its core,” urging the members to reconsider their actions:

“K-pop is being shaken to the core due to the NewJeans incident. We ask NewJeans to withdraw their irresponsible claims, return to their original intentions, and continue with normal activities.”

NewJeans recently held an emergency press conference where they announced the termination of their exclusive agreement with ADOR. This action, according to KEPA, raised concerns about trust and stability within the industry.

KEPA Questions the Legitimacy of NewJeans’ Decision

In their statement, KEPA emphasized the importance of exclusive contracts, stating they are fundamental to fostering trust and professional relationships between agencies and artists. The association criticized NewJeans for allegedly failing to provide sufficient evidence for their contract termination.

“An exclusive contract is not simple and is the foundation of mutual trust and promise. We are concerned that an exclusive contract can be terminated with just one unilateral claim. The party claiming the termination must prove a legitimate reason for it to happen.”

Additionally, KEPA expressed disapproval of the group’s decision to make the announcement publicly without consulting ADOR.

“NewJeans did not present specific evidence and held a press conference unilaterally notifying the termination of the contract, a violation of the agency’s terms.”

Accusations of Tampering

KEPA also raised suspicions about potential tampering, hinting that external influences might have played a role in NewJeans’ decision:

“If these suspicions are true, this could be a new and advanced form of tampering. It would not be a simple breach of contract but a betrayal of a relationship that the agency and artist have built together over time.”

Call for Government Intervention

The controversy has escalated beyond the entertainment industry, with KEPA calling on the National Assembly and government officials to intervene. They urged policymakers to implement measures preventing similar situations in the future:

“Although the pop culture and arts industry starts with corporate capital, creating a star is supported by the hard work and sacrifice of the company’s employees. Therefore, the exclusive contract dispute and tampering issues directly relate to the company’s existence and the employees’ livelihood. We ask that you prepare clear measures to prevent problems such as unilateral termination from happening again.”

Background

This controversy follows a similar stance taken by the Korea Management Association, which also expressed concerns regarding NewJeans’ contract termination. The dispute highlights the ongoing challenges and complexities surrounding exclusive contracts in the entertainment industry.

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Source: sports chosun