According to reports, a number of artists from KONNECT Entertainment have departed from the agency.
On May 21, an exclusive report by Korean news outlet Star News revealed the departure of several artists from KONNECT Entertainment. The report can be found at this link.
According to reports, Kang Daniel, the founder and artist, is said to have made plans to depart from the agency once his exclusive contract comes to an end. The report also disclosed that KONNECT Entertainment is facing the possibility of closing down and is currently in a state of financial instability.
Following the revelation by Star News, it was announced that Yuju, former GFRIEND member and now soloist, had signed an exclusive contract with KONNECT Entertainment on September 1, 2021. However, the agency confirmed that Yuju had actually ended her contract with them in April and is now a free agent in the music industry, as reported by the outlet.
In November 2022, the dance group WE DEM BOYZ announced their plans to leave the agency. According to sources, the team has confirmed their intention to terminate their exclusive contract with KONNECT in November 2023 and the process has already begun.
Additionally, there have been reports that both soloist and producer Chancellor have departed from the company.
Despite Kang Daniel being the founder of KONNECT Entertainment in 2019, the majority shareholder and owner of the agency holds 70 percent of the company’s shares.
On May 20, Kang Daniel initiated legal proceedings against major shareholder Mr. “A”for allegations of falsifying documents, misappropriating funds, breaching trust, and violating confidential information. As a result, other artists within the company also considered terminating their contracts.
According to Star News, Kang Daniel’s contract with KONNECT is set to end in early June, and he will be stepping down from his role as the company’s CEO.
This situation has also resulted in the agency being on the brink of bankruptcy, as all artists have departed and only about 20 employees remain, whose contracts have been terminated. Currently, KONNECT Entertainment’s building in Sinsadong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul is being emptied.
On the social media platform X (Twitter), the sudden news shocked netizens who also voiced their support for the artists amidst the legal conflict. Here’s a glimpse at their reactions:
This is really disappointing. I know Kang Daniel worked hard to create his entertainment company, and now the shareholder has ruined it. I hope he gets another chance or another company works with him and supports him. This isn’t his fault. https://t.co/Vr5vDcI8E5
— 𝙰𝚗𝚐𝚎⁷ 𝚒𝚜 𝚜𝚎𝚎𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝙰𝚃𝙴𝙴𝚉 (@angelica_bailey) May 20, 2024
dissolving all his artists contracts while facing the pressure all alone… this is so sad and admirable. https://t.co/pljNvQPBRV
— 𝅙 (@dollmugger) May 20, 2024
Whatever happened and going to happen, Kang Daniel is always the brave man for us. He let go all his employees and artists to protect them and from fight alone!Other left but I, DANITY, will never leave… Here we are to support! https://t.co/0cnABHc8NX
— ChompooOK🍐 (@ChompooOK) May 21, 2024
YUJU IS FREE FROM THE SHACKLES OF KONNECT YES GAWD pic.twitter.com/B21Zqn9kqI
— tooty ʚїɞ⁺¹ (@taeseobzz) May 20, 2024
“yuju contratct with konnect has ended” bpm: pic.twitter.com/ytc3Jnagx6
— thiti (@thiti_kimo) May 21, 2024
hoping yuju will get a better company (not bpm cuz they can’t even manage their current artists well) https://t.co/AUAQqcD597
— ʚїɞ (@eunhalilac_) May 20, 2024
Oh my God, thank you, finally there is clarity on this. finally there is a day of freedom for yuju. now, we just have to wait for the latest news about yuju’s new agency. https://t.co/GezP88bs2j
— Luv_ U _ Yuju (@2104Wenju) May 20, 2024
Good news this morning. So let’s wait for the latest news regarding Yuju’s new agency 😊 https://t.co/FYxn86BmLf
— YUJU HASHTAG (@yujuhashtag) May 20, 2024
Kang Daniel is that artist who bravely fight for his rights (for 2 times). He is that artist who openly disclosed about his emotional distressed & took a short break to heal & got proper treatment. Not everyone has courage to speak up & fight for themselves. Salute!#KANGDANIEL pic.twitter.com/xPOIroHIvX
— 𝙎𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙧𝙮𝙉𝙞𝙚𝙡 Ⓓⓐⓝⓘⓣⓨ 💕💕 (@AmizaSherry) May 21, 2024
You will be back stronger than ever, smiling brightly like this again. These hard times will pass too, and the spring will come again. Till this time comes stay strong.I trust you and will be waiting for you no matter how long it takes.#KANGDANIEL pic.twitter.com/NkrSJuPjx8
— daniwoon (@daniwoon1) May 20, 2024
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