Singer Yu Junwon has announced plans to debut under a new agency, CONTI Inc, amid an ongoing legal dispute with his former management company, PHUNKY STUDIO.
Yu Junwon was originally set to debut with the group Fantasy Boys after becoming the top trainee on MBC’s K-pop audition program, Fantasy Boys My Teenage Boy. However, disagreements later arose between him and PHUNKY STUDIO over issues including profit distribution and issues related to schedule attendance.
On June 2nd, CONTI Inc announced that they signed an exclusive contract with Yu Junwon in March. The agency also confirmed that he is preparing to debut as a member of its upcoming boy group. “We will fully support him so he can focus on music and performing on stage,” the company said.
Ahead of his debut, Yu Junwon shared a message on social media reflecting on the past few years. “There were many days over the past three years that I couldn’t talk about, even if I wanted to,” he wrote. “Now I’ve met a company that truly supports me, and members I can move forward with.”
Despite his new start, the dispute with PHUNKY STUDIO is still ongoing. In February, the agency stated it had continued court-mediated negotiations but claimed no agreement was reached. PHUNKY STUDIO also accused Yu Junwon’s side of pursuing independent activities during mediation and said it would seek further legal action, including a damages claim of up to 3 billion won ($2.2 million).
“We will hold him fully accountable to prevent similar cases that undermine audition programs,” PHUNKY STUDIO said. “We will continue strong legal action to protect those affected.”
CONTI Inc, however, said it had reviewed the legal situation before signing Yu Junwon and believes there will be no issues affecting his entertainment activities. The agency added that it will support him through the ongoing lawsuit and take legal action against what it called malicious defamation or interference unrelated to the facts.
UPDATE:
Yu Junwon is currently in a legal battle with PHUNKY STUDIO over damages related to a failed exclusive contract.
On June 5th, Yu Junwon’s team explained, “We are in a damages lawsuit with PHUNKY STUDIO. During contract negotiations, a side agreement about deducting fixed labor costs for 17 staff over five years caused disagreement, so the exclusive contract was never signed. PHUNKY STUDIO filed for damages even though no contract was in place.”
They added, “A damages lawsuit is about money. It cannot stop an artist from working. Saying Yu Junwon must halt all activities while the case is ongoing is unreasonable. It’s unclear whether PHUNKY STUDIO wants damages or wants to prevent him from performing at all.”
Yu Junwon’s team also stated, “He has neither signed nor negotiated with any agency and has fully cooperated with the lawsuit for the past three years. Telling a young artist to do nothing until the case ends is unfair. No one has the right to block a person from working.” They emphasized that protecting Yu Junwon’s legitimate activities is their duty as his agency.
In response, PHUNKY STUDIO and POCKETDOL STUDIO expressed regret. “Yu Junwon’s team is distorting facts and trying to sway public opinion on matters already judged by the court,” they said.
PHUNKY STUDIO added, “The court dismissed Yu Junwon’s request to suspend the exclusive contract, confirming the agency’s contract terms were valid. Bringing up a settled matter to justify actions is misleading. Signing with another agency and debuting while the lawsuit is still unresolved damages the industry order.”
They also criticized Yu Junwon’s claim that “a damages lawsuit is just a financial issue and doesn’t affect activities,” calling it “clearly flawed reasoning. Breaching a contract and continuing activities while only paying damages would make contracts meaningless. Ethics do not stand above the law, but Yu Junwon’s team seems to act as if they do.”
>> Fantasy Boys to Debut as an 11-Member-Boy Group Without Yu Junwon
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