How the companies HYBE and Source Music mistreated, sabotaged, and lied about the girl group GFRIEND, and are now trying to take the group name from the artists.
The unlawful contract termination and the GFRIEND trademark problem explained. (A thread)
The unlawful contract termination and the GFRIEND trademark problem explained. (A thread)
This will also cover how HYBE and Weverse scammed money from customers, leaked their private information, and still refuses to return money that they owe customers.
HYBE and Source Music abruptly terminated GFRIEND’s contract without discussion on 22 May 2021.
This was announced on Weverse on 18 May, oddly on the same day Source Music was supposed to release a GFRIEND video and more content.
This was announced on Weverse on 18 May, oddly on the same day Source Music was supposed to release a GFRIEND video and more content.
*HYBE: (controlling company & owner of Source Music)
*Contract termination: forcefully ending the contract before it expires/reaches its end
*Contract termination: forcefully ending the contract before it expires/reaches its end
After the announcement, Source Music silently removed their schedule, and never released the content that was supposed to be released on 18 May.
Several staff of Source Music also revealed that they only found out about the contract ending by reading the news.
Several staff of Source Music also revealed that they only found out about the contract ending by reading the news.
HYBE and Source Music blamed the sudden and shocking contract termination on the members of GFRIEND by lying that it was the members’ choice.
They framed the members, damaged their reputation and made the members look like they had lied to their fans.
They framed the members, damaged their reputation and made the members look like they had lied to their fans.
Contrary to the companies' lies, GFRIEND never chose to leave their company in May 2021.
They repeatedly expressed their desires to release a new album in 2021. However, their contract was terminated 6 months early without warning and their album plans were cancelled.
They repeatedly expressed their desires to release a new album in 2021. However, their contract was terminated 6 months early without warning and their album plans were cancelled.
Even in the final days before their contract termination was announced, the members were still going to practice and talking about their next album, and future activities as GFRIEND members.
Pics: 1-5 days before the contract termination announcement
Pics: 1-5 days before the contract termination announcement
All the evidence shows that they had no idea that their contract termination was going to be announced on 18 May and terminated on 22 May.
All the evidence also proves that the contract was terminated, not expired.
Pic: plans for June 2021
All the evidence also proves that the contract was terminated, not expired.
Pic: plans for June 2021
Groups are usually given months to negotiate their contracts and prepare for their future before their contract ends.
6 months before their contract expires, GFRIEND was blindsided and given only 4 days to prepare for a sudden contract termination.
6 months before their contract expires, GFRIEND was blindsided and given only 4 days to prepare for a sudden contract termination.
In addition, the GFRIEND members also had to deal with the effects of the companies framing them and spreading lies about them.
During and after this contract termination period, some members still to deal with ongoing and pre-planned schedules.
During and after this contract termination period, some members still to deal with ongoing and pre-planned schedules.
An editor had to remove Eunha saying her group name from this video, because it was recorded before the sudden news, but only released after the news:
There is much more evidence showing that the members were terminated without discussion or proper notice.
There is much more evidence showing that the members were terminated without discussion or proper notice.
The unreleased, leaked GFRIEND video also proves how unexpected and covert the contract termination was, and how "extensive discussion" and "contract expiry" are blatant lies.
The video has completed editing and is ready for release. This proves that the staff were ignorant of the termination.
It also proves that HYBE is withholding GFRIEND content to hide the fact that they terminated the contract without any transparency or open communication.
It also proves that HYBE is withholding GFRIEND content to hide the fact that they terminated the contract without any transparency or open communication.
A 4-day termination notice is either an unlawful contract or a breach of contract.
This should be reported to the KFTC (govt) for unethical practices, or the company should be sued for breach of contract.
easylaw.go.kr/CSP/CnpClsMain…
This should be reported to the KFTC (govt) for unethical practices, or the company should be sued for breach of contract.
easylaw.go.kr/CSP/CnpClsMain…
The following will be covered below:
HYBE’s media manipulation, lying to the public, defaming and tarnishing GFRIEND’s reputation,
and most importantly, currently trying to sabotage GFRIEND by taking the group name from the members.
HYBE’s media manipulation, lying to the public, defaming and tarnishing GFRIEND’s reputation,
and most importantly, currently trying to sabotage GFRIEND by taking the group name from the members.
HYBE acquired Source Music in 2019.
As a result of HYBE acquiring Source Music, they acquired control over the rights and management of Source Music and GFRIEND.
A quick overview of HYBE:
As a result of HYBE acquiring Source Music, they acquired control over the rights and management of Source Music and GFRIEND.
A quick overview of HYBE:
Company structure of the companies involved:
HYBE (owner & controlling company),
Source Music (subsidiary),
Weverse (subsidiary).
HYBE owns and controls Source Music and Weverse. Some directors of HYBE are also directors in both Source Music and Weverse.
Source: HYBE
HYBE (owner & controlling company),
Source Music (subsidiary),
Weverse (subsidiary).
HYBE owns and controls Source Music and Weverse. Some directors of HYBE are also directors in both Source Music and Weverse.
Source: HYBE
HYBE owns 80% of Source Music’s shares and possesses controlling interest of Source Music.
The party owning 80% of Source Music has the final decision over the company’s major affairs, including the contract termination of Source Music’s only artists.
The party owning 80% of Source Music has the final decision over the company’s major affairs, including the contract termination of Source Music’s only artists.
The remaining 20% share ownership cannot override a controlling interest of 80%.
At least 80% of the responsibility belongs to the owner, HYBE.
At least 80% of the responsibility belongs to the owner, HYBE.
HYBE’s irrelevant statements and subsequent silence do not override company laws. No statement can erase the fact that it has control over Source Music.
HYBE still has the final decision over Source Music and GFRIEND matters.
HYBE still has the final decision over Source Music and GFRIEND matters.
After accounting for the debut delay, GFRIEND’s 7-year contract is set to expire in Nov 2021, not in May 2021.
https://twitter.com/todatugu/status/1412310828385144832
HYBE used media manipulation to cover up their unlawful contract termination, by spreading false rumours about GFRIEND choosing to leave, contract expiry and a “7 years” contract duration.
Even though GFRIEND’s contract had not expired or reached 7 years.
Even though GFRIEND’s contract had not expired or reached 7 years.
This news article from TENASIA(media company) was released 5 minutes before HYBE’s announcement on Weverse.
It spread false rumours about contract expiry and ‘GFRIEND’s choice’, to cover up HYBE’s termination and defamation of GFRIEND.
tenasia.hankyung.com/music/article/…
It spread false rumours about contract expiry and ‘GFRIEND’s choice’, to cover up HYBE’s termination and defamation of GFRIEND.
tenasia.hankyung.com/music/article/…
People from the industry agree that:
the only way that TENASIA could know and report this information even before the official announcement, was if HYBE gave the false information to TENASIA themselves.
This is a clear case of media manipulation by HYBE.
the only way that TENASIA could know and report this information even before the official announcement, was if HYBE gave the false information to TENASIA themselves.
This is a clear case of media manipulation by HYBE.
They spread these false rumours about GFRIEND’s choice and contract expiry to protect their own company name, because they do not want to be known as the company that abruptly terminated GFRIEND before their contract expires.
HYBE blamed the sudden contract termination on GFRIEND by saying that it was their choice, making the artists look like they were liars to their fans, and making the members look like they were responsible for the sudden contract termination.
By framing the members and misrepresenting them, HYBE not only damaged the artists’ reputation, they also misled some fans to wrongly blame the artists, further sabotaging GFRIEND.
Fortunately, many fans quickly realised that the contract was abruptly terminated, the GFRIEND members were ignorant about the contract termination, and that HYBE had lied to the public.
However, the harmful lies spread by HYBE against GFRIEND have not been fully undone.
However, the harmful lies spread by HYBE against GFRIEND have not been fully undone.
In the official Weverse announcement, HYBE never dared to admit that they terminated the contract.
Instead, they used the misleading and incorrect term “conclusion of contract”.
Instead, they used the misleading and incorrect term “conclusion of contract”.
It is also noteworthy that HYBE never officially dared to mention ‘contract expiry’ or ‘non-renewal’.
Instead, they chose to let the media companies spread false information that would cover up the fact that they unlawfully terminated GFRIEND’s contract.
Instead, they chose to let the media companies spread false information that would cover up the fact that they unlawfully terminated GFRIEND’s contract.
HYBE, the controlling company of Source Music, has mistreated GFRIEND and spread harmful lies to sabotage GFRIEND’s reputation, and still has not apologised or fixed their defamatory statements against GFRIEND.
They have not addressed a single question from their customers:
They have not addressed a single question from their customers:
Instead, HYBE avoided all responsibility, as if they don’t own and don’t have controlling interest over Source Music.
They even used Source Music as a scapegoat for unrelated violations; when Weverse refused to refund cash and when HYBE leaked customers’ private information.
They even used Source Music as a scapegoat for unrelated violations; when Weverse refused to refund cash and when HYBE leaked customers’ private information.
More on Weverse & HYBE scamming money will be covered later.
#WeverseScamsMoney
#HYBEScamCompany
#WeverseScamsMoney
#HYBEScamCompany
https://twitter.com/Koreaboo/status/1403238064739258370
https://twitter.com/Koreaboo/status/1400742873771827210
A long compilation of more evidence:
Resources in multi-languages:
A thread summarizing the evidence above:
https://twitter.com/todatugu/status/1407327163234271237
Resources in multi-languages:
https://twitter.com/todatugu/status/1424327717722279939
A thread summarizing the evidence above:
https://twitter.com/bibeobeo_h/status/1424310980129951751
The GFRIEND Trademark #FreeGFRIENDTrademark
HYBE, in its investment prospectus dated 2021.06.01, claims GFRIEND as its intellectual property. This includes the trademark application for GFRIEND.
HYBE, in its investment prospectus dated 2021.06.01, claims GFRIEND as its intellectual property. This includes the trademark application for GFRIEND.
The “GFRIEND” trademark was applied for on 2021.03.11. These companies did this in the final year of GFRIEND’s contract, two months before they terminated their contracts.
This is, again, clear sabotage against GFRIEND by HYBE and Source Music.
This is, again, clear sabotage against GFRIEND by HYBE and Source Music.
Why is the trademark application sabotage against GFRIEND?
The previous case of T-ARA will explain why.
"If MBK Entertainment’s application is approved, the members will not be able to promote under the name T-ARA for at least 10 years. "
The previous case of T-ARA will explain why.
"If MBK Entertainment’s application is approved, the members will not be able to promote under the name T-ARA for at least 10 years. "
This applies to GFRIEND as well. If HYBE’s trademark application is approved, GFRIEND will not be able to use their name for at least 10 years.
The fact that HYBE did it just 2 months before they terminated GFRIEND’s contract shows their intention to rob GFRIEND of their group name that the artists have worked over 6 years and 4 months to build up.
Before they were acquired by HYBE in 2019, Source Music has never tried to trademark “GFRIEND”. They never stooped to that level of sabotage.
Source Music only has a ‘logo trademark’ which will not stop GFRIEND from using their Korean name 여자친구.
Source Music only has a ‘logo trademark’ which will not stop GFRIEND from using their Korean name 여자친구.
This “GFRIEND” trademark application is different. This is a ‘name trademark’ which can prevent GFRIEND from using their English name.
Another example of a name trademark:
Another example of a name trademark:
The '여자친구' trademark is just a logo trademark. It does not prevent GFRIEND from using their Korean name.
The 'GFRIEND' is an English 'name trademark'. If this application succeeds, it will prevent GFRIEND from using their English/international name.
The 'GFRIEND' is an English 'name trademark'. If this application succeeds, it will prevent GFRIEND from using their English/international name.
If the trademark application succeeds, the members will have no right to use ‘GFRIEND’ to promote themselves for their future individual projects, and there is no way they can ever promote as a group using ‘GFRIEND’.
Needless to say, the GFRIEND name carries a huge importance even for individual promotions, as it plays a huge part in the promotion of the members locally and internationally.
This is currently a trademark dispute.
On 18 May, the termination announcement date, a party filed an opposition to the trademark application by HYBE. Several more oppositions were made later.
On 18 May, the termination announcement date, a party filed an opposition to the trademark application by HYBE. Several more oppositions were made later.
Because of how messed up the contract termination situation was, the fact that HYBE is currently trying to steal the GFRIEND name from the members has gone largely unnoticed.
The fact that they sneakily did it 2 months before the termination also helped them to keep it silent.
The fact that they sneakily did it 2 months before the termination also helped them to keep it silent.
There was public outrage and attention for the T-ARA case when the news of the trademark application came out.
That company was rightfully exposed for being ‘bitter’, ’petty’, and ‘money hungry’.
That company was rightfully exposed for being ‘bitter’, ’petty’, and ‘money hungry’.
However, for GFRIEND’s case, their trademark issue has been overshadowed by the improper and controversial contract termination.
A similar level of public outrage and awareness is needed for GFRIEND’s trademark dispute.
This will help ensure that HYBE’s trademark application will be rejected. It is also equally important that this issue is heard in Korea.
#FreeGFRIENDTrademark
#여자친구_GFRIEND_상표
This will help ensure that HYBE’s trademark application will be rejected. It is also equally important that this issue is heard in Korea.
#FreeGFRIENDTrademark
#여자친구_GFRIEND_상표
We hope that by exposing and publicizing this matter, the group name GFRIEND will not be silently stolen from the artists by undeserving and unethical companies.
https://twitter.com/todatugu/status/1427142553913102336
This trademark application can be potentially rejected based on one reason:
Korean Trademark Act, Article 34 (Trademarks Ineligible for Trademark Registration)
Any trademark containing the name, ... , stage name, … of a prominent person, or his/her abbreviated title
Korean Trademark Act, Article 34 (Trademarks Ineligible for Trademark Registration)
Any trademark containing the name, ... , stage name, … of a prominent person, or his/her abbreviated title
The outcome of this trademark battle is uncertain. “Prominent” is subjective. It depends on the examiner who is deciding.
The relevant time to consider, to determine whether the person is ‘prominent’ enough to reject the trademark, is the time when the decision is made.
The relevant time to consider, to determine whether the person is ‘prominent’ enough to reject the trademark, is the time when the decision is made.
The decision could be made anytime between now and next year (2022).
In other words, the trademark examiner has to consider GFRIEND prominent enough at the time when the examiner decides to accept/reject the application.
In other words, the trademark examiner has to consider GFRIEND prominent enough at the time when the examiner decides to accept/reject the application.
A news article on the GFRIEND trademark issue, with further explanation on what can be done to help:
https://twitter.com/todatugu/status/1429310393982197763
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