Reason Behind FIFTY FIFTY’s Boycott of SBS ‘Inkigayo’ During Upcoming Promotions – Explained

FIFTY FIFTY has officially announced a return to their group activities as a five-member band; however, the girl group will not be participating in the upcoming SBS music show Inkigayo. On September 28, Mulhwa Ilbo, a prominent South Korean media outlet, released an exclusive report detailing the girl group’s forthcoming promotional plans.

Following the release of their album Love Tune on September 20, FIFTY FIFTY is gearing up for performances at various live music events. Despite this, they will be absent from SBS Inkigayo, which is scheduled to air on September 29, 2024. K-pop groups often perform on major South Korean music shows, enhancing their visibility nationwide and facilitating appearances on additional broadcast programs.

The absence of FIFTY FIFTY from SBS shows is due to their agency, ATTRAKT, protesting the network. In 2023, an SBS program titled I Want to Know That allegedly showed favoritism towards three former members of FIFTY FIFTY—Saena, Aran, and Sio—during their legal disputes with ATTRAKT.

According to ATTRAKT, neither SBS nor the production team behind I Want to Know That has issued an official apology related to the problematic broadcast, despite the content being removed. Furthermore, the show reportedly faced strict disciplinary action from the Korea Communications Standards Commission regarding this incident. In addition to their absence from Inkigayo, ATTRAKT is expected to boycott all SBS programming, including The Show!.

“I don’t mind if I can’t promote it” – FIFTY FIFTY’s Agency CEO Jeon Hong-joon on SBS Inkigayo Absence

After their fallout with ATTRAKT, the former members Saena, Aran, and Sio parted ways with the agency in 2023. The last remaining member, Keena, continued with ATTRAKT. In August 2024, ATTRAKT added four new members—Chanelle Moon, Yewon, Hana, and Athena—to the group, allowing them to proceed as a five-member band.

Jeon Hong-joon, the CEO of ATTRAKT, explained the reasoning behind the new lineup’s absence from SBS shows, emphasizing the lack of an apology from the production team of I Want To Know That.

He stated,

“Even if entertainment and culture are separate, I Want to Know That made a significant error with ATTRAKT and with me personally. Many suggest that I should overlook this for promotional value, but I prioritize pride over fame or money.”

He expressed dissatisfaction over not receiving a formal apology from the production team despite being in the industry for 30 years and pointed out that numerous producers have informally invited him to have the group appear on their shows.

He asserted,

“Stop issuing unofficial apologies and provide a formal one. That’s the only way my pride will be reinstated. How can one disregard the offense committed while I was simply there? It is unacceptable.”

Further emphasizing the unfairness, he remarked,

“It is unjust that they continue without making any formal apology after this incident. Just because they are affiliated with a powerful broadcasting station, it doesn’t grant them the right to act with impunity.”

In the meantime, FIFTY FIFTY successfully performed on Mnet’s M Countdown on September 26 and on KBS 2TV’s Music Bank on September 27. Their album Love Tune is now available for streaming on major platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and others.

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