Six members of the group Fantasy Boys have reportedly filed a lawsuit against their agency.
According to The Fact on November 18, members Kang Min Seo, Lee Han Bin, Hikaru, Hong Sung Min, Kim Gyu Rae, and KaeDan submitted a lawsuit against their agency, PocketDol Studio, seeking a declaration that their exclusive contracts are invalid, along with an injunction to suspend the contracts’ effects.
The six members reportedly cited issues such as a lack of provided materials and unpaid settlements, financial and operational problems within the company, and breaches of contract that damaged trust. Additionally, they claimed that delays in extending the residency status of foreign members hindered their activities.
Media attempts to contact PocketDol Studio for comments were unsuccessful.
Fantasy Boys was formed through MBC’s 2023 boy group audition program 'Fantasy Boys – My Teenage Boy' and debuted in September of the same year.
The group faced challenges from the start. Yoon Jun Won, who had originally ranked first and was set to debut, was unable to debut due to conflicts over his exclusive contract with PocketDol Studio. As a result, Fantasy Boys debuted with 11 members instead of the planned 12.
In May, member Kang Min Seo sparked controversy during a social media live broadcast when he made gestures reminiscent of the “SOS signal.” The incident drew significant attention, and Kang later clarified that it was a misunderstanding. He explained, “I didn’t intend it that way, but the situation escalated, and I was very surprised. I apologize.” Reports also indicate that he consistently expressed struggles on fan communication platforms.
Recently, Kang shared messages with fans such as, “The electricity in the dorm isn’t working, so I’m charging my devices now and contacting you,” and “It’s not a blackout; I think we haven’t paid the electricity bill. It’s stressful.” Following the news of the six members’ lawsuit, fans have expressed growing concern.
Meanwhile, PocketDol Studio is also facing similar legal disputes with BAE173 member Do Ha, who filed a lawsuit seeking the invalidation of his exclusive contract and an injunction. Do Ha raised issues regarding settlements and interruptions in his activities.
Do Ha stated through his social media, “There were unreasonable conditions too great for me to handle. Due to the company’s unilateral decisions, I could not continue scheduled activities despite my intentions. I considered it deeply, but ultimately had no choice but to make this decision.”
PocketDol Studio responded by saying, “The delay was due to an administrative error, not omission of settlement,” and added, “The suspension of activities was a judgment based on accumulated reasons, including unprofessional behavior and unexpected incidents on site.”
SHARE
