The 2026 K-Pop Legal War
The K-pop industry is facing one of its most complex legal crises yet.
Today, April 20, the news became official: nine members of THE BOYZ have moved to nullify their exclusive contracts with One Hundred Label.
Represented by Law Firm Yulchon, the group is alleging “grave breaches of contract” that have made their continued partnership impossible. This isn’t just a standard dispute; it’s a battle for financial transparency that could redefine artist-agency relations in 2026.
The Missing Millions — Where is the Money?
The core of the lawsuit lies in unpaid settlements. According to attorney Kim Moon-hee, the agency has failed to provide normal settlement payments for all activities since July 2025.
Lack of Transparency: The members have reportedly requested to review basic accounting documents and contracts multiple times to verify earnings, but these requests were flatly refused.
Advance Payment Allegations: Reports have surfaced that One Hundred Label received hundreds of billions of won in advance payments tied to THE BOYZ’s activities, yet the artists themselves have seen none of it.
The Dorm Scandal: Rumors are swirling that the agency even touched the security deposits for the members’ dorms to cover corporate debts—a claim the agency calls “malicious and false,” but one that has already set social media ablaze.
The Group Split — Why New Stayed
In a move that surprised many, the lawsuit was filed by nine members: Sangyeon, Jacob, Younghoon, Hyunjae, Juyeon, Kevin, Q, Sunwoo, and Eric. New (Chanhee) has chosen to maintain his contract for personal reasons. However, this isn’t a “betrayal.” The group released a statement emphasizing that they “mutually respect each member’s choices.” For your readers, the “takeaway” is clear: the brotherhood remains, even if the legal paths have diverged.
Rehearsing in Secret — The Road to “INTER-ZECTION”
Despite the legal firestorm, THE BOYZ are refusing to let down their fans. Their “INTER-ZECTION” concerts at the KSPO Dome (April 24–26) are still going ahead.
Self-Funding: Because the agency has allegedly neglected management duties, the members are reportedly renting their own practice rooms and paying on-site staff out of their own pockets.
Refused Support: One Hundred Label claims they offered managers and vehicles, but that the members “turned away” from the support. The members, however, describe the environment as “hostile” and “unbearable.”
The Agency’s Stance — “Unacceptable”
One Hundred Label, led by Cha Ga-won, is standing firm. Their defense rests on the idea that the group was signed as an 11-member unit. They argue that Ju Haknyeon’s departure last year already broke the “premise” of the contract. They claim they have endured “significant losses” to keep the group active and cannot accept a termination that ignores the agency’s financial sacrifice
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Conclusion: What’s Next for THE B?
As the court case kicks off, the future of THE BOYZ as a brand hangs in the balance. Will they follow in the footsteps of “BTOB” or “GOT7” and sign with a new label together? Or could this lead to a prolonged hiatus? For now, all eyes are on the KSPO Dome, where fans are coming together to ensure that these April shows are the loudest in the group’s history.
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