ABYSS Company has stepped up to defend itself against Urban Zakapa member Jo Hyun Ah's claims of mismanagement.

Previously, issues arose after ABYSS Company shared its "first family photo" featuring its label artists in light of this year's Chuseok holidays. Urban Zakapa, a group which has been a part of ABYSS Company since the agency's earliest days, was left out of this family photo. 

As a member of Urban Zakapa, Jo Hyun Ah called out the "family photo" and portrayed her discontentment over the group's exclusion. ABYSS Company then attempted to clarify the situation by stating, "Deciding that it would be difficult to include Urban Zakapa in the content, as member Jo Hyun Ah is no longer an artist of the company, the content proceeded without the other two members Kwon Soon Il and Park Yong In."

This further angered Jo Hyun Ah, who went on to raise additional claims of mismanagement against ABYSS Company. According to Jo Hyun Ah, "I wanted to uphold the group's remaining contract period as best as I could, but it has been over 600 days since we were able to hold a tour. As for our album, it's been a while since I sent [ABYSS] a demo, but I never heard anything back... Since they don't seem to want to let Urban Zakapa release any albums or do any shows, I'm wondering if they would rather prefer that our group disband?"

Moreover, Jo Hyun Ah added on that the members of Urban Zakapa were not being provided transportation for wedding performances, making her frustration clearly known. 

In response to the above developments, ABYSS Company stated in a formal announcement made on October 7 KST,

"Hello, this is ABYSS Company.

First and foremost, we express our regret over the recent events involving Jo Hyun Ah. 

ABYSS Company's current management contract with Urban Zakapa is valid until December of 2023. The company's contract with Jo Hyun Ah as an individual artist came to an end in June of 2022 with a settlement, and at the time, ABYSS did its best to accept Jo Hyun Ah's terms and demands regardless of the other two Urban Zakapa members' decisions to remain under ABYSS. 

This company has given its best efforts in managing its artists up until now, seeking the best methods for providing artists with support in their schedules and activities.

ABYSS has made various suggestions for Urban Zakapa's promotions, including broadcast appearances, concerts, album releases, etc. While the company can make any number of suggestions, the decision to move forward with any form of promotion rests with the members. The company has attempted to respect the artists' wishes and decisions without interference, but during the discussion process, the members encountered position differences, and ultimately plans for Urban Zakapa's promotions fell through. The company also feels regret over these matters.

Furthermore, ABYSS Company finds it unfortunate that unconfirmed words were publicized as if they were true, causing confusion. 

In the case of personal or private schedules such as wedding performances, the company does not provide management support such as transportation. However, up until now, the company has tried its best to offer such services for the convenience of our artists, as long as the schedules were not official schedules of artists affiliated with other agencies. 

ABYSS Company has always attempted to fulfill the wishes of the Urban Zakapa members and respect the group as artists, and specific details regarding the group's management are all recorded on file. 

As a result, the company is greatly disconcerted over the fact that such an issue has become publicized when our contract with Urban Zakapa still remains valid. 

We are sincerely hoping to resolve these issues with the members of Urban Zakapa as soon as possible and restore our professional relationship, so that issues that may cause the public discomfort do not arise again. 

Once again, ABYSS Company apologizes and expresses regret over the recent events.

Thank you."