FIFTY FIFTY And Group’s Producer Face Massive Backlash After ATTRAKT Releases Damning Phone Conversation
The latest development in FIFTY FIFTY‘s label feud seemingly points to ATTRAKT‘s assertion that The Givers CEO and “Cupid” producer Ahn Sung Il had tried to sell the group behind ATTRAKT’s back.
On July 3, ATTRAKT released damning phone excerpts between the label’s CEO and Warner Music Korea.
According to reports, representatives from ATTRAKT revealed that Ahn Sung Il had discussions about a “buyout” (selling one’s stake) without the knowledge of ATTRAKT. Ahn Sung Il and his firm, The Givers, were originally hired by ATTRAKT as an executive producer for FIFTY FIFTY and is credited as the producer behind the group’s hit single “Cupid.”
In the phone excerpt, which reportedly took place on May 9, a Warner Music Korea representative revealed to ATTRAKT CEO Jung Heung Joon about the buyout discussions. Below are the translated excerpts.
- WMK: There is something that I discovered.
- JHJ: Yes, yes.
- WMK: I previously offered Ahn Sung Il ₩20.0 billion KRW (about $15.2 million USD) to buy him out.
- JHJ: I never heard of this.
- WMK: You never heard about this?
- JHJ: No.
- JHJ: What do you mean buyout?
- WMK: I meant the label…
- JHJ: What about the label?
- WMK: So we use that term when we (offer) to buy (a label’s) artists.
- JHJ: No, no.
The excerpt seemingly backs ATTRAKT’s earlier claims stating that The Givers had previously tried to sell FIFTY FIFTY without their knowledge. The Givers and Ahn Sung Il denied the allegations at the time.
FIFTY FIFTY’s Label Accuses Outside Agency Of Attempting To Poach Group
Netizens reacted, with many rooting for ATTRAKT while criticizing Ahn Sung Il. Others also were critical of FIFTY FIFTY, who recently filed to terminate their contract with the label.
- “Wow, I feel so bad for (ATTRAKT’s) CEO… I hope everything works out for him ㅠ.”
- “It’s rare to root for the agency during label feuds… This is basically fraud. ATTRAKT should seriously sue. That producer should also be banished from the industry.”
- “(Ahn Sung Il) probably thought he could get away with it since this happened on May 9, and it wasn’t an issue until now.”
- “Sigh, I am rooting for the CEO.”
- “They (The Givers and FIFTY FIFTY) really lack business ethics.
- “I am rooting for you, CEO.”
- “The song went viral on shorts and Tik Tok but wasn’t going to maintain its popularity anyways.”
- “Wow, they are ditching the label before even making it big…”
- “FIFTY FIFTY is basically done… Koreans really hate stuff like this.”
- “I am stupid for believing in you.”
Stay tuned for updates.
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