Here’s What You Need To Know About K-Pop Contracts, According To Lawyers And A Former Idol

There are lots of ways to identify a bad contract or company.

K-Pop contracts can be quite cruel, as many artists in the past have filed lawsuits against their companies due to their unfair contracts.

Way, who is a former member of Crayon Pop, decided to have a casual talk with some lawyers regarding K-Pop contracts.

Here’s a list of some of the topics they discussed.

1. Slave contracts

In the past, K-Pop contracts usually were around 7-15 years, so they were nicknamed “slave contracts”.

However, many artists started filing lawsuits due to how unreasonable these contracts were. Over the years, companies started settling down and shortened the length of their contracts.

The lawyers also explain how slave contracts are rarely used by K-Pop companies now, and that a company would make some headlines if they decided to go back to using it.

The lawyers emphasize that the most important thing to do before signing a contract with a company is checking if the contract is one that is used by other companies.

2. How to see if a contract is reasonable

When aspiring idols sign contracts with companies, they are usually the age where they’ll sign it without thoroughly checking details of the contract.

The lawyers talk about how it’s important to compare the contract with ones that are usually used by K-Pop companies.

The lawyers also emphasize that there’s nothing wrong with pointing out flaws in a contract, and asking for changes if needed.

Way then reveals that she’s done all of this in the past when she was signing with an entertainment company.

3. Contract nullification

When it comes to contract nullifications, companies can nullify contracts with their trainees if needed. If a trainee is seen slacking off, then the company can request a contract termination and ask for compensation for all the money they spent on their training.

However, contract nullifications aren’t possible if they are for more personal reasons.

4. Suing the company if they advise you get to plastic surgery, but the results are bad

This is not possible, as the trainee was just advised to get plastic surgery, and were the ones that ultimately made the final decision.

5. Paying training fees to the company

The lawyers explain that while companies can request to get paid training fees by their trainees, it’s not common. They even explain how people should shy away from a company if they ask for training fees.

6. What to do if the company isn’t giving their artists proper support

A situation like this can happen if an idol isn’t making a lot of money, and the company just isn’t able to support them due to low funds.

In these kinds of situations, idols can nullify their contracts by gathering some evidence.

While most companies are willing to let their artists go in these kinds of situations, some will ask for penalty fees.

There’s more in the full video below!