Dispatch has recently unveiled a series of text exchanges from KakaoTalk involving Meenoi, shedding new light on a contentious situation.

Here is a brief summary of the situation: Meenoi didn't attend a scheduled advertisement shoot. Before people were aware of the situation, Meenoi held an Instagram live broadcast, during which she was emotional, stated she had no idea of the advertisement shoot, and accused AOMG of allegedly employing a forged seal in contractual documents.

Now, Dispatch made public a series of text exchanges from AOMG, which purportedly demonstrate Meenoi's initial agreement to the advertisement contract.

On March 4, Meenoi personally made a statement on the controversy regarding her live broadcast. Meenoi explained, "I apologize for causing concern to everyone. I was told not to respond, but I can't hold it back anymore. I want to be brave."

In her latest statement, there are six claims she made regarding the controversial advertisement filming, which she allegedly failed to show up to. 

Meenoi claimed:

① "The contract content for this advertisement was not shared with her."
② "She was not informed when the contract was written."
③ "She requested to see the contract but wasn't shown it immediately."
④ "A fake stamp with her name was on the contract."
⑤ "She conveyed her decision not to shoot the ad."
⑥ "The claims that she did not attend the filming just two hours before is false."

On March 6, Dispatch released an article fact-checking all six of Meenoi's claims. Dispatch took messenger conversations between the AOMG representative and Meenoi, meeting transcript, and manager chatroom content as references to check the facts.

① "The contract content for this advertisement was not shared with her."

According to Meenoi's claims, she was not notified about the contract content for the advertisement. Based on a messenger conversation between Meenoi and the representative of AOMG in August 2023, the AOMG Representative had already notified Meenoi about the advertisement deal with brand P; however, she was not given a contract.

He wrote, "It's going to be in June. It's 200 million KRW (~150,246 USD), and I'll let you know after further organization~~" In response, Meenoi wrote, "Ok! I likie~"

② "She was not informed when the contract was written."

Meenoi claimed that she became aware of the contract when she saw the payment for the advertisement was transferred to her. She claimed she was confused to see the payment and alleged that the contract was finalized without her knowledge.

Based on Dispatch's findings, Meenoi was invited to a group chatroom regarding the advertisement deal with company P, and an AOMG staff member explained to Meenoi that the chat room would be used to schedule the filming. In the chatroom, the AOMG staff also shared with Meenoi a timetable for the filming and the styling concept draft.

Meenoi also was also seen actively scheduling a meeting with Company P regarding the advertisement filming. She also agreed to the filming schedule and also designated the stylist team for the advertisement.

Translation for the photo above:

① Scheduling for the filming.

AOMG: The shooting dates for the P advertisement are the 29th to the 30th. When would be convenient for you?
Meenoi: January works for me! I'm flexible!
AOMG: Okay, January it is!

② Scheduling for the meeting with the advertiser.
Meenoi and the agency prepared for the meeting with the advertiser company P on December 1st.

Meenoi: But what's this about the ad meeting?
AOMG: Probably discussing how we're going to shoot it!
Meenoi: Oh, so my opinion is really important?

③ Selecting Hair and Makeup for the ad

The agency even sought Meenoi's opinion on the hair and makeup stylist.

AOMG: Should we go with Director A for the P ad hair and makeup?
Meenoi: I'd like to try with the same team who helped during the magazine shoot.
Meenoi: Director A's style is good too, but let me think a bit more!

To sum it up, Meenoi claimed that she was unaware of the contract. Based on the conversation, it is true that Meenoi seemed unaware of the contract finalization because the conversation's main focus was the advertisement filming process. However, Meenoi was aware of the filming schedule and process.

③ "She requested to see the contract but wasn't shown it immediately."

Based on the conversation with the AOMG representative, Meenoi requested for the contract on January 27, 2024, and was aware of the filming with Company P.

Meenoi: Hey, oppa. While going through the settlement statement, I had a question. Back then (during the P ad), I remember we agreed on 250 million KRW. Did everything you promised get paid before the shoot? Or do we get the rest after finishing the shoot? Also, I'm curious about the contract terms and details.
AOMG Rep: I think I mentioned 200 million KRW. I'll double-check on Monday.
Meenoi: Oh, it's Saturday today. Sorry about that. Lol.
AOMG Rep: Minyoung-ah (Meenoi), do you have anything on Tuesday evening?
Meenoi: That's our (P ad) shoot day!!

According to the conversation above, it is true that Meenoi was not shown the contract right away. However, the reason was that it was Saturday and Meenoi was aware that AOMG's Representative could not access the contract on the weekend.

④ "A fake stamp with her name was on the contract."

Regarding the fake signature stamp, Meenoi claimed, "A fake stamp with my name, which looked different from my stamp, was on it. When I saw the contract, I didn't know about its contents until then, but the stamp was already on it, and it wasn't mine!!!"

However, Dispatch clarified that the issue Meenoi raised as a "fake seal" is, more accurately, an "electronic signature."

AOMG and P company signed an electronic contract. In the signature field, they inserted an image of a seal provided by the electronic contract site.

Meenoi claimed that "AOMG made a fake seal." Conversely, AOMG said it was a misunderstanding. It was not a fake seal but rather a form of electronic contract. 

AOMG further added, "We've been continuously concluding contracts in this manner (proxy signing)." They explained, "We've executed over 40 advertisements. We've never had an issue with this method before."

AOMG claimed, "In 2022 and 2023, telecommunications company ads and even cosmetics advertisements were discussed via KakaoTalk or phone calls. The company stamped the contract (electronically). Nothing has changed just because it's P company. It's the same method we've been using."

According to the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism's standard contract, agencies can negotiate and sign contracts with third parties on behalf of artists. However, they must explain the contents and schedule of the contract in advance.

Of course, management practices are just that, practices. If artists raise concerns, it can become an issue. AOMG's failure to share detailed information was negligent.

⑤ "She conveyed her decision not to shoot the ad."

On January 29, just a day before the filming, Meenoi stated that she would not be able to shoot the advertisement without the modifications made to the contract.

In the conversation between Meenoi and AOMG's Rep on January 29, Meenoi states, "Without modifications to the ad conditions, I can't do the shoot tomorrow." AOMG's representative responds with, "Can you make it happen for the shoot tomorrow, at least for me? I'm so sorry..." However, Meenoi responds with, "For me, I don't think I can do it. I'm feeling quite depressed today, so I might not be able to contact you anymore. I'm sorry." So the AOMG Rep responds with, "We decided not to film the advertisement. When you get up, contact me."

⑥ "The claims that she did not attend the filming just two hours before is false."

On January 30 at 1:18 AM, a conversation chat was opened for the managers. 

Manager A: Sorry to bother you in the early morning. Could it be that the ad has been canceled?
Manager B: Haha... Let's just go pick her up for now.

At 7:58 AM, the managers contacted each other again.

Manager A: Meenoi isn't answering the phone. Should we keep trying?
Manager B: Let's wait until 9:30 AM and see.

However, based on the conversation between Meenoi and the AOMG Rep, along with the conversation between the managers, it was already confirmed that Meenoi would not be filming the ad, a day before the shooting.

Lastly, Meenoi met with AOMG on February 22. After the release of the initial statement, they had another meeting two weeks later.

The topic of discussion that day was the compensation ratio for damages from the P advertisement. AOMG suggested a 5:5 cost-sharing arrangement to Meenoi.

Meenoi's response was a refusal. She stated, "I'm not considering a 5:5 split. What I understand is that I don't need to bear the cost (for damages)." She also stated that the company continued to pressure her, stating that it was her fault that the events and advertisement deals were falling through.

And the card Meenoi pulled out was the second statement she made on March 4. She refuted that she didn't even know the contents of the contract. The company stamped a fake seal.

Meanwhile, 'Dispatch' wanted additional explanations regarding the statement. They texted Meenoi directly and couldn't connect through a phone call.