TS Entertainment still hasn’t learned to treat their artists well. Following the 2014 B.A.P lawsuit for slave contracts, TS is now facing another legal battle with SECRET.
In early March 2018, news broke that Ji Eun and Hyoseong have filed lawsuits against TS Entertainment back in August and September of 2017.
Ji Eun filed a request with the Korean Commercial Arbitration Board to have her contract deemed invalid. In her claim, Ji Eun claims TS Entertainment did not follow the contract terms and conditions. The claim addresses issues with management and lack of payment transparency. The claim states the contract has been invalid since May 2017; she renewed her contract with TS Entertainment in March 2015.
Ji Eun states the issues stem from when she was in the drama Sweet Home, Sweet Honey. In her claim, Ji Eun states TS Entertainment delayed payments for rent, transportation, and lessons, and payments have not been properly divided. She also lists that TS Entertainment sold her exclusive contract rights to a third party without her acknowledgement or agreement to the move.
In September 2017, Hyoseong also filed to have her exclusive contract with TS Entertainment nullified. Park Jung Ho, Hyoseong’s legal advisor, told The International Business Times that TS Entertainment “violated [the] contract in many ways,” and ” there are payments she has not received. [TS Entertainment] also transferred the management rights conferred by its exclusive contract with the singer to another party without the consent of Jun Hyoseong herself.” Park also states the company has been “a source of instability in her promotions as a singer.”
With Ji Eun’s suit, the Korean Commercial Arbitration Board ruled in her favor February 8, 2018 claiming TS Entertainment delayed payments and sold her contract to a third party without her knowledge. Following the ruling, Ji Eun posted on Instagram that she has left SECRET. In the February 28, 2018 message, Ji Eun said (translated by Allkpop):
Hello, this is Song Ji Eun. Before I tell you the news, I first want to say that I’m sorry to let the fans who love SECRET know about this matter through news articles. I needed a lot of courage before writing something like this. I’ve always wanted to only tell you about good things, but my heart is heavy because I can’t do that. I don’t have a way to communicate at present, so I ask that you understand that I’m posting this on Instagram.
My thankful heart does not change towards TS Entertainment, which I’ve been with since my trainee days and my debut in 2009. Because the agency was there, we could rely on each other and exist as SECRET as well as meet the fans who supported our dreams until now. I once again say thank you. Because I feel that way, it’s true that I still worry about accurately discussing the situation.
Many people have already read this through news articles, but it’s true that in August of 2017, we filed an application of arbitration against TS with the Korean Commercial Arbitration Board. The Korean Commercial Arbitration Board came to the decision that my exclusive contract no longer exists. I’m telling those who are confused that the articles saying there’s a civil lawsuit going on are not true.
I’m very careful and apologetic as I know how long fans have been waiting for SECRET. However, I still want to give bright energy to a lot of people. I’ll be leaving the team SECRET and starting a new beginning under the name Song Ji Eun. These recent events have been a time for me to mature. With this as a foundation, I’ll conclude by saying that I’ll meet you all with an even brighter image as the way Song Ji Eun originally is. I’m sorry and thank you.
Despite her case not reaching a resolution yet, on March 5, 2018, Hyoseong announced that she, like Ji Eun, would not be returning to SECRET or TS Entertainment.
Hyoseong’s lawyer said, “The trust in TS Entertainment has already been destroyed. There’s no point in discussing contract renewal.”
TS Entertainment, Predictably, in Denial
TS Entertainment, much like they were during B.A.P’s lawsuit, continues to live in a different world. Despite Hyoseong and Ji Eun’s departure announcements and the arbitration court ruling in Ji Eun’s favor, TS Entertainment claims SECRET is not disbanding and the members, especially Ji Eun, are making “unilateral decisions.” TS released a press release saying they will be pursuing legal actions.
In their statement released March 2, 2018, TS Entertainment said (as translated by Soompi):
While they were actively carrying out group promotions, the Secret members had expressed their desire to pursue individual activities. In positive accordance with their thoughts, we supported their activities but while under exclusive contract, one of the members cut off contact. We asked her to honor her exclusive contract, and requested she conscientiously fulfill both her individual and Secret’s group activities. In the midst of this, we learned about one member’s unilateral announcement made on social media about her departure from the group and the dissolution of her contract.
In order to find out the truth, we checked if this had been discussed with the Secret members beforehand, but we have discovered the other members had been unaware of her departure and were very shocked to learn about what was written above.
In line with the mutually agreed-upon exclusive contracts, if the Secret members express their desire to promote as a group now, then we will do our best for group promotions like in the past. If they wish to release music or be active in other ways, we have the intention of preparing for and carrying out [their wishes] at any time.
However, if they continue to carry out unauthorized activities that have not been agreed upon with us, we would like to inform that we will actively respond with severe legal action. Furthermore, in regards to what one member claimed about the invalidity of her contract, we would like to explicitly state that this is not the final ruling given by the courts.
We would once again like to bow our heads in apology to the many people who have been keeping an eye on this agency and its artists that such trouble has arisen.
Despite TS’ claim the other SECRET members are unaware of Ji Eun’s decision, Hyoseong did “like” Ji Eun’s Instagram post. Since both members filed their suits around the same time, both are aware of the other’s actions.
In regard to SECRET as a whole, TS Entertainment claims the group has not and will not disband. A TS representative said February 28, 2018, “It’s true that we’re in a legal battle with Hyosung and Ji Eun, but SECRET is not in the process of disbandment. We want the members to promote together, but since the current situation is like this, Hana is working on her solo album. If the other members want album promotions, then we are willing to give support.”
Hana (formerly Zinger) is the only remaining SECRET member under contract with TS Entertainment. Sunhwa opted to not renew her contract with TS Entertainment September 26, 2016. She is now signed as an actress under the Huayi Brothers label.
The ruling on Hyoseong’s lawsuit is expected in the coming weeks. Stay tuned for updates.
—-Joelle Halon
