A Study on the Issues of the Korean Entertainment Management Industry: Focusing on Cases of Legal Disputes over Exclusive Contracts with Entertainers

This study examines the achievements and persistent challenges of Korea's entertainment management industry through case analyses of legal disputes surrounding exclusive contracts with entertainers. Korea's entertainment industry has experienced rapid, unprecedented growth over a relatively short period. Although standard exclusive contracts have become widely adopted across management companies, certain unfair clauses still exist, often becoming focal points of legal disputes, particularly concerning personality rights protection. Following the landmark 2010 lawsuit filed by TVXQ members to invalidate their exclusive contract, shifts began to occur in the structure and content of entertainer contracts. Since then, the industry has laid the groundwork for more institutionalized growth, supported by the enactment of relevant laws, establishment of standardized contracts, and other legal frameworks. However, significant risks remain, especially in the idol-centered popular music sector. One pressing issue is tampering, where entertainers attempt to move to another agency during the contract period, posing serious threats to the survival of small- and medium-sized management companies. It is challenging for agencies to nurture idol groups and sustain the commercial success of already popular ones. The ongoing exclusive contract dispute between NewJeans and ADOR Co., Ltd. exemplifies these systemic concerns. Through such case analyses, this study identifies unresolved legal problems and structural changes within Korea’s entertainment management industry.