BAE173 member Doha announced plans to file a lawsuit against his agency, PocketDol Studio, over his exclusive contract. In response, the agency has issued an official statement addressing the matter.
On November 7, PocketDol Studio’s legal representatives from Kwangya Law Firm expressed regret to fans, stating, “We are sorry to share unfortunate news with those who support BAE173.” The statement confirmed that Doha recently filed a lawsuit seeking to nullify his exclusive contract and requested a provisional suspension of its enforcement.
Regarding Doha’s claims about delayed financial statements, the agency clarified, “PocketDol Studio sends quarterly statements to all BAE173 members via email. Doha has consistently received these statements, although in April, his guardian requested a change of email address. Due to staff turnover and other administrative gaps, the statements were not immediately sent, but after proper verification, they were finally delivered in October. The delay was an administrative error, not intentional omission.”
On the topic of Doha’s temporary suspension from activities, the agency argued, “This was not a unilateral action. It was based on accumulated issues, including unprofessional behavior and unexpected incidents on site. For example, during the 2024 Chinese iQIYI audition program 'Starlight Boys,' the production team repeatedly requested the agency to address Doha’s uncooperative behavior. While we considered his mid-program withdrawal, Doha ultimately expressed a desire to continue participating. However, challenges persisted.”
The agency further cited recent incidents at a fan event, claiming, “Doha left the venue without prior notice and used inappropriate language in front of fans. The event organizers recognized the seriousness of the situation and requested improvements from the agency.”
PocketDol Studio’s legal team also emphasized the dedication of its staff: “During an artist’s active period, managers and staff work tirelessly, from early morning to late night, on weekdays and weekends, to support music shows, fan signings, and all schedules. No additional fees are charged to the artists for this support. Despite this, unreasonable demands have been made, such as deducting pay for days when managers were present. Such requests are impractical and cannot be accommodated.”
The agency confirmed that they have collected multiple reports and objective evidence, including text messages and messenger records, showing difficulties caused by Doha’s behavior. They intend to submit these to the court to clarify the facts.
Finally, the agency addressed Doha’s public post on November 6, stating, “We regret that Doha shared this on social media. We will clarify the facts through legal proceedings. Meanwhile, the ongoing overseas tour and team activities will continue as planned, and the other members remain focused on keeping their promises to fans.”
On November 6, Doha shared on social media: “Due to the company’s unilateral decisions, I am unable to continue scheduled activities. After much consideration, I had no choice but to make this decision,” officially announcing his lawsuit against PocketDol Studio. He is the second BAE173 member to take legal action against the agency following Nam Dohyun. Doha debuted as a BAE173 member in November 2020.
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