“Backstabbing Idols” Dispatch’s Bombshell FIFTY FIFTY Exposé Stirs Uproar Among Korean Netizens

Netizens reacted to Dispatch‘s article exposing the truth behind FIFTY FIFTY‘s label saga, in which the group recently filed a lawsuit to terminate their existing contract with ATTRAKT.

FIFTY FIFTY | ATTRAKT

On July 4, the media outlet published a bombshell exposé revealing the true relationship between FIFTY FIFTY, Ahn Sung Il, and ATTRAKT.

Dispatch Reveals The Truth Behind FIFTY FIFTY’s Entire Production, Ahn Sung Il, And The Givers

In their article, Dispatch revealed that Ahn Sung Il was the ultimate benefactor of FIFTY FIFTY’s viral sensation “Cupid,” which was produced by Swedish students who then were later bought out of their copyright claim by Ahn Sung Il for $9,000. The article exposed the fact that Ahn Sung Il and his company, The Givers, owned 28.65% and 66.85% of the song’s royalties, respectively.

• Ahn Sung Il (SIAHN) – 28.65%
• Employee “B” (AHIN) – 4%
• Song Ja Kyung (Keena’s real name) – 0.5%
• The Givers – 66.85%

Dispatch then reveals that Ahn Sung Il may have illegally bought out the Swedish students with money given to him by ATTRAKT.

The tax invoice for “Cupid”, which was sent on March 31, 2023, with a total price of ₩12.5 million KRW (about $9,570 USD) after taxes. The sender is The Givers, the receiver is ATTRAKT.

The funds weren’t looking good at the time. I asked Ahn Sung Il to send me how much the song cost first. Fortunately, we received some investment in March and paid it back to The Givers. It turns out, he took ownership of the copyright.

— Jeon Hong Joon

Dispatch also revealed evidence that contradicted FIFTY FIFTY’s claims that ATTRAKT’s CEO Jeong Hong Joon had forced them to perform while injured. In several messages, the CEO can be seen accommodating the members’ health.

• Ahn Sung Il: It will definitely be good to do the Barbie movie. I’ll meet with them first to try to persuade them and I will communicate with Aran.
• Jeon Hong Joon: It’s good for you, the group, and the company, but since it’s also a matter of dealing with a health issue, communicate well with both the parents and the members so that there are no misunderstandings~!!
• Jeon Hong Joon: With such a good showing its frustrating that they cannot do anything these days~!
• Ahn Sung Il: Ok. Aran listens well to my opinions anyway so I’ll check her condition first.
• Ahn Sung Il: I’ll go to personally see her mother.

According to Jeon Hong Joon, he did not ignore the health of the members. He trusted employee “B” and left the management of their health to him.

“B” said he would take good care of them, so I trusted him and left it to him.

I think trusting him too much was the start of all this trouble.

When I said I wanted to go to the practice room to see them, he would say that the members were uncomfortable with me being there. I didn’t want to interrupt their practice, so I just held it in and dealt with it.

Just think about how much I also wanted to see them.

— Jeon Hong Joon

Netizens reacted to the revelations with overwhelming support for ATTRAKT’s CEO. Many criticized both Ahn Sung Il and FIFTY FIFTY members for betraying Jeon Hong Joon’s trust and investment.

• “What’s for certain is that FIFTY FIFTY won’t be able to promote in Korea anymore. During a time when they should be releasing more hit songs, what is this?”
• “This guy (Ahn Sung Il) spread lies about the label, stole money, and deliberately robbed a person.”
• “I wonder if the CEO will be able to win his money back in court… FIFTY FIFTY had  only one hit song, so they haven’t really done anything…”
• “I feel so bad for the CEO. Money is one thing, but he was betrayed by everyone he trusted, ㅠㅠ.”
• “There is a lot of evidence, so I think the CEO will win in court, but considering the time it will take and the damage to the group’s image, even if he wins, he loses. It’s a pity, but the writing is on the wall.”
• “The members are seriously, LOL. These ungrateful K-Pop idols did what Koreans hate the most. I am not a fan, but due to national pride, I encouraged them and rooted them on. I really didn’t see this coming, LOL.”
• “Backstabbing idols.”
• “Wow…”
• “They won’t be able to promote ever again. How can they be so ungrateful? Even if the CEO wins back his investment in court, how will he be compensated for his time and efforts?”

What are your thoughts?