It looks like the “Traffic Light” has officially turned red for BPM Entertainment. South Korean singer-songwriter Lee Mujin has successfully halted his exclusive contract with his agency after a major legal showdown, and he’s not walking away empty-handed.
On June 24, the Seoul Central District Court granted the injunction filed by the star to suspend his contract. This major update in the ongoing Lee Mujin lawsuit Big Planet Made dispute means the 25-year-old vocal powerhouse is now legally free to pursue independent entertainment activities while the main legal battle plays out. The court also blocked the agency from signing third-party deals on his behalf or forcing him into any unwanted promotions.
Show Me the Money: A 2 Billion Won Dispute
So, what triggered this K-pop industry earthquake? According to legal insiders, it boils down to the ultimate business dealbreaker: getting paid.
Lee Mujin filed the Lee Mujin lawsuit Big Planet Made case after claiming he had not received proper financial settlements from the second quarter of last year up to the first quarter of this year. The missing payout is reported to be a staggering 2.1 billion KRW (approximately $1.5 million USD). Lee’s legal team stated that the massive delay in payments completely shattered the foundational trust between the artist and the company, leaving him with no choice but to take the corporate giant to court.
A Mass Exodus at Big Planet Made?
Interestingly, Lee Mujin isn’t the only star shouting “I want out!” from the One Hundred label umbrella (BPM’s parent company).
The court’s decision closely follows a similar ruling won by the popular K-pop trio VIVIZ, who also successfully filed an injunction against BPM over payment issues. Before that, nine members of the boy band THE BOYZ also secured a favorable court ruling to freeze their contracts. With heavyweight artists like Taemin and Lee Seung-gi previously shifting gears away from the label, the entertainment company is facing some serious turbulence.
While Big Planet Made subtly admitted to internal financial difficulties, stating they “accept the suspension if the artist wishes,” the main lawsuit over the 2.1 billion won is just getting started.
