S1E77: Why K-pop’s Fifty Fifty girl group suffers negative public opinion

Find out why netizens back their agency instead in an ongoing dispute. Synopsis: Each month, The Straits Times examines the ins and outs of pop culture in the Asian entertainment and Hollywood scene. If you are on TikTok, you might have a heard a viral song that goes like this: "I'm feelin' lonely/Oh, I wish I'd find a lover that could hold me." Those are the lyrics to Cupid, one of 2023's biggest songs, sung by rookie K-pop girl group Fifty Fifty. Cupid is a record-breaking hit. Not only did it make the group the fastest K-pop act to debut on the Billboard Hot 100, it is also the longest-charting K-pop girl group song in history, on the Hot 100. They are even on the soundtrack of 2023's biggest movie Barbie, with their number Barbie Dreams. Unfortunately, all promotions and new activities of the group have been suspended. In June, Fifty Fifty's agency Attrakt accused Warner Music Korea of attempting to poach the group. Shortly after, Fifty Fifty announced that they had filed a lawsuit to suspend their exclusive contract with Attrakt, alleging a lack of transparency in finances and failure to fulfil contractual obligations. The shocking departure of Fifty Fifty from their agency just as their careers were set to take off, has made headlines in South Korea. While idols mired in legal disputes with their agencies would usually enjoy the support of their fans, public opinion for Fifty Fifty in this case has firmly soured. #PopVultures host Jan Lee examines why, in this episode. Produced by: Jan Lee ([email protected]) and Paxton Pang Edited by: Paxton Pang Follow #PopVultures Podcast episodes here every month:  Channel: https://str.sg/JWad  Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWaA  Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaP   Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/Ju47   SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/  Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts  Feedback to: [email protected] Follow Jan Lee on Instagram: https://str.sg/Jbxc  Read Jan Lee's articles: https://str.sg/Jbxp  --- Discover more ST podcast channels: COE Watch: https://str.sg/iTtE In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt  Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7  Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN  Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf  Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m  ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE  #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad  Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX  Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts  --- Special edition series: True Crimes Of Asia (new): https://str.sg/i44T  The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2  Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn  Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB  Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa  --- Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts! #PVSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.