[theqoo] J-MIN, FOUND 20 HOURS AFTER MISSING REPORT… ANNOUNCES SUSPENSION FROM BAE173’S ACTIVITIES

BAE173 member J-Min (real name Jeon Min-wook) has announced his departure from the group. He stated that he wants to focus on the new group Close Your Eyes (CYE), set to debut in April. However, BAE173’s agency claims this move violates his contract, sparking controversy.

According to TenAsia on the 3rd, J-Min informed both PocketDol Studio (BAE173’s agency) and the group’s members last month that he wanted to halt his activities with BAE173. A member of BAE173 (referred to as “A”) told TenAsia, “J-Min said he wanted to focus on CYE and stop his activities with BAE173. I was very disappointed when I heard that, but he seemed so determined that we couldn’t stop him.”

J-Min’s contract with PocketDol for BAE173 is valid until 2027. Meanwhile, CYE’s proposed contract with him is for three years, extending beyond his BAE173 agreement. By the time J-Min completes his activities with CYE, BAE173 may have already disbanded.

Member A added, “Of course, it would be great if J-Min stayed with us, but if he insists on leaving, what can we do? He seemed sorry about it. In the end, we just told him to do what he wants.” A continued, “Despite this situation, the remaining members will do their best. Not everyone gets a chance to make a comeback.” BAE173 is set to release a new album around April or May. Since J-Min expressed his intention to leave, he has not been in contact with the other members and even skipped the group’s fan signing event on the 10th of last month.

J-Min was one of the seven finalists selected for CYE through JTBC’s survival audition program Project 7. At the time of his selection last month, he was still a member of BAE173, which debuted in 2020.

Tensions arose between PocketDol, BYE’s agency (UNCORE), and J-Min during contract negotiations for his new group. For J-Min to officially join CYE, all three parties—PocketDol, UNCORE, and J-Min—needed to sign the agreement. However, PocketDol refused, claiming that the terms in UNCORE’s contract differed from those presented before Project 7 aired. This led to a communication breakdown between PocketDol and J-Min. UNCORE even withheld J-Min’s whereabouts from PocketDol.

On January 8 at around 7 PM, PocketDol filed a missing person report with the police, stating they had lost contact with their artist. Roughly 20 hours later, on the 9th at 3 PM, J-Min met with BAE173 members and PocketDol representatives at the company headquarters. According to member A, “During that meeting, J-Min made it clear that he no longer wanted to be part of BAE173.”

PocketDol claims Project 7 changed its stance after the show aired. A PocketDol representative stated, “Before J-Min joined Project 7, the contract stated that even if he was selected as a member of the new group, he could still continue his existing activities. However, after the program ended, a new contract required him to leave BAE173.” They further warned that if J-Min proceeds with his withdrawal, they will take legal action against him for breaching his contract.

In response, an UNCORE representative argued, “Leaving BAE173 does not constitute a contract violation. All participants and agencies were fully aware at the time of signing that ‘if a contestant is selected as a final member of Project 7, they cannot engage in any other activities without UNCORE’s prior approval.'”

When TenAsia reached out for confirmation, J-Min’s team did not respond. A manager working with CYE also declined to comment, saying, “We can’t discuss this matter. There’s no reason to give an interview.”