In a major legal setback for ATTRAKT CEO Jeon Hong Joon, the Seoul Southern District Court has thrown out his defamation lawsuit against SBS’s investigative program Unanswered Questions. The case, which centered around a controversial 2023 broadcast about the fallout between the agency and its former girl group FIFTY FIFTY, ended with the court siding firmly with the broadcaster.
The disputed episode, titled “Billboard and Girl Groups – Who Clipped Their Wings?”, aired in August 2023 and investigated the internal conflict that led to FIFTY FIFTY’s abrupt separation from ATTRAKT. The girl group had previously captured international attention when their hit single Cupid remained on the Billboard Hot 100 for over five months.
Jeon had sought roughly $220,000 in damages, accusing the show of defamation. However, the court ruled that the program’s content was either based on verifiable facts or grounded in legitimate journalistic interpretation. As a result, the defamation claim was dismissed, and Jeon’s agency was ordered to cover all legal costs.
The episode drew from a wide array of sources — including interviews with former employees, family members of the idols, and entertainment industry experts. Testimonies pointed to poor management practices, financial opacity, and troubling behavior within the agency, such as reports that food brought to the idols by family members was allegedly discarded without explanation. The court found these claims were not only relevant but also supported by credible documentation and expert analysis.
Crucially, the court highlighted that the show included evaluations by tax professionals, academics, and references to government data — significantly strengthening its journalistic legitimacy. It also noted that SBS had made over ten formal requests for an interview with Jeon and ATTRAKT representatives, all of which were declined. This refusal to engage with the production team weakened ATTRAKT’s argument that the episode was one-sided or unfair.
One of the court’s defining statements clarified that, “A lack of full fairness or balance in a broadcast alone does not constitute defamation.”
In a related development, the Korea Communications Standards Commission (KCSC) had issued a formal warning to SBS in March 2024, following over 1,100 viewer complaints concerning the episode’s tone and fairness. However, this warning was administrative in nature and did not involve legal penalties. The program continues to air without further disciplinary action.
The ruling represents a significant moment in South Korea’s ongoing conversation around press freedom and accountability in the entertainment industry — particularly when it comes to the treatment of young idols and the power wielded by their agencies.
