INFINITE member Sungjong has publicly addressed his legal dispute with his current agency, SPK Entertainment.
On January 16, Sungjong released an official statement through the media detailing his position in the ongoing legal conflict. Sungjong, who signed an exclusive contract with SPK Entertainment in August 2022, expressed disappointment over the agency’s failure to fulfill their initial promises of comprehensive support for his activities.
According to Sungjong, the agency did not provide the necessary support for broadcast appearances, fan meetings, and album releases, and also failed to pay the promised contract money.
He also mentioned issues regarding the handling of refunds for a cancelled fan meeting.
Despite the lack of support from the company, Sungjong stated that he remained faithful and actively engaged in his solo and INFINITE album activities. He also mentioned the company’s failure to provide settlement documents and delayed payments for these activities.
In early December last year, Sungjong sent a legal notice through a law firm, demanding rectification of the breach of contract. SPK Entertainment, however, evaded responding and forced Sungjong to notify the termination of the exclusive contract.
He attempted to amicably resolve the situation through dialogue, but SPK Entertainment ignored these efforts and officially communicated last week their lack of intention to negotiate. With the trust relationship irreparably damaged, Sungjong plans to take formal legal action through a law firm soon.
Here is the full statement from Lee Sungjong:
Hello, this is Lee Sungjong.
First, I would like to apologize to my fans who have been supporting and loving me for causing them concern. In August 2022, I signed an exclusive contract with SPK Entertainment. At that time, the company promised full support for my activities, and I signed the contract believing in this promise.
However, contrary to the initial promise, I did not receive proper support from SPK Entertainment for broadcast appearances, fan meetings, or album releases right after signing the contract. I also did not receive the promised contract money. Requests for resolution of the refunds for a canceled fan meeting were also ignored.
Despite the lack of support from the company, I have been actively working, keeping my faith with the company. In March 2023, I released my single 'The One' as a solo artist and went on my first European tour. Additionally, last July, as a complete member of INFINITE, we released 'Begin' and embarked on the 'Comeback Again' Asia tour. However, the company did not provide any settlement documents, nor did they pay the settlement money for these activities, only delaying matters.
After trying to negotiate about the situation for several months, I inevitably sent a legal notice through a law firm in early December 2023, demanding correction for the breach of contract. Despite this, SPK Entertainment only avoided responding, leading me to notify the termination of the exclusive contract in late December 2023.
Separately from the notice of contract termination, I attempted to amicably resolve the situation through dialogue, but SPK Entertainment ignored this too and officially communicated last week that they have no intention to negotiate.
I have always wanted to resolve the situation through dialogue with the company, but now that the trust relationship with SPK Entertainment has completely broken down, I plan to take formal legal action through a law firm soon.
Once again, I am sorry to share such distressing news with my fans who love and support me. I am grateful to everyone who has encouraged me.
I wish him the best of luck on this, because it's an uphill battle.