Singer and actor Park Yoochun has been ordered by the court to compensate his agency for independent entertainment activities.
On December 24 KST, Yonhap News reported that the Seoul Central District Court's Civil Conciliation Division 45 recently ruled in favor of the management company, Have Fun Together (formerly known as YesPera), in a lawsuit against Park Yoochun and his previous agency, C-JeS Entertainment. The ruling stated, "The defendants are jointly responsible for paying the plaintiff 500 million KRW (~$385,000 USD) and interest."
Have Fun Together had signed an exclusive management contract with Park Yoochun until 2024, brokered through C-JeS Entertainment in January 2020. However, in May 2021, Park Yoochun requested the termination of the exclusive contract with Have Fun Together. When negotiations failed, together with C-JeS, he sent a notice stating that they could terminate the exclusive contract if the settlement fee was not paid.
Upon Have Fun Together's non-compliance, Park Yoochun notified them of contract termination and began his entertainment activities through another management company, referred to anonymously as company 'A,' run by an acquaintance.
Subsequently, in August 2021, Have Fun Together filed for an injunction against Park Yoochun prohibiting broadcast appearances and entertainment activities, which the court upheld. However, disregarding the court's decision, Park Yoochun continued activities overseas, including performances and endorsements, alongside 'A.' Have Fun Together then filed a lawsuit seeking 500 million KRW in damages against Park Yoochun, C-JeS, and 'A,' citing infringement on their management rights.
The court determined that Park Yoochun violated the court's injunction by engaging in entertainment activities through Company A without Have Fun Together's consent, and C-JeS actively participated in this.
Although Park Yoochun and others argued that the exclusive contract was legally terminated due to Have Fun Together's failure to pay the settlement fee, the court confirmed that the settlement was indeed paid in a timely manner upon reviewing financial transaction records.
However, the court did not accept Have Fun Together's claim to prevent entertainment activities altogether, as the damages sought were based on the premise of Park Yoochun engaging in activities through another management company.
This is ridiculous- the guy has to earn to pay up any debts accrued; common sense should allow that!!