A is officially off the hook in a major legal clash with his agency over a private scandal.
The unnamed 28-year-old member of a four-member boy group had a consensual encounter with a woman he met through friends on January 8, 2023. Nothing criminal or public happened.
A week later, the agency dropped a massive debt memorandum on him. It demanded he cover all production and promotion costs for the group’s first album, contract penalties, and even allowed collections from his family if he couldn’t pay.
Desperate to stay, A signed, but two days later, he was kicked out and sued for ₩200 million KRW (about $145,000 USD). The agency claimed his private act violated his “duty to maintain dignity” as an idol.
The Seoul Central District Court disagreed. The judge ruled that because the act wasn’t illegal and never became public, it did not breach the contract. The court also struck down the debt memorandum, calling it an “unfair legal act” under Korean law.
The judge highlighted A’s vulnerable position—older than most idols and having failed a previous debut—and said the agency exploited him to impose unfair financial burdens.
The damages claim was thrown out. The agency must pay all legal costs.
“It was part of his private life.” – Seoul Central District Court judge
