After a detailed exclusive report by TenAsia today about events involving J-Min, BAE173’s agency, and UNCORE, fans are officially getting the word straight from the horse’s mouth.
BAE173’s agency PocketDol Studio has announced that the 25-year-old K-pop star will temporarily step away from group activities to focus on a new project with CLOSE YOUR EYES.
On February 3, PocketDol Studio announced, “J-Min has expressed his intention to halt BAE173 activities. Going forward, the remaining members will do their best with their activities.”
J-Min, a BAE173 member since 2020, achieved third place on JTBC’s “Project 7” and subsequently joined the project group CLOSE YOUR EYES.
He has now opted to concentrate on CLOSE YOUR EYES activities. He skipped the group’s fan signing event on January 10. This confirmed suspicions that he may not continue activities with the group. His decision to leave the band temporarily was supported by fellow BAE173 members.
PocketDol Studio and UNCORE, the agency managing CLOSE YOUR EYES, are embroiled in a contract dispute. When J-Min and trainee Sakurada Kenshin were selected to join the new “Project 7” boy band, PocketDol Studio refused to sign the contract.
The agency alleges that the terms presented by UNCORE differed from those initially disclosed before the two artists appeared on the JTBC audition program “Project 7”.
BAE173’s agency claimed that they are forcing artists to sign management contracts without their consent.
In response, UNCORE denied the claims saying that all parties involved in “Project 7” were aware of the terms outlined in the appearance contract. This contract mentioned that selected members would need the label’s approval before engaging in external activities.
UNCORE has stated that “Project 7” aimed to create a global idol group chosen by fans. The company noted that the project involved significant investment and effort from production staff. The label will oversee the CLOSE YOUR EYES activities, including music, albums, performances, and IP, starting from the first half of this year.
