C9 Agency Photo
Long years in the K-pop industry don’t always guarantee a seamless experience between agencies and performers, and Younha found that out the hard way. Read on for more details.
A Long Partnership Ends
According to the Korea JoongAng Daily, “Younha has demanded that the agency rectify its prolonged failure to pay her earnings several times, but it took no corrective action,” law firm Illo, which represents the singer, said in a statement on Monday. “This has led Younha to notify the agency of her exclusive contract’s termination in September.”
That contract termination officially took effect on September 14, 2026. Star News Korea noted that “Younha filed a lawsuit…on the 6th seeking confirmation of the non-existence of the exclusive contract and payment of settlement funds amounting to over 950 million won. The date for the first hearing following the filing of the complaint has not yet been set.”
Meanwhile, Korea JoongAng Daily reminded fans that “Younha debuted in Japan in 2004 with the single “Yubikiri” before making her Korean debut in 2006 with the single album “Audition.” She is best known for songs such as “Waiting” (2006), “Password 486” (2007), “Oort Cloud” (2021) and “Event Horizon” (2022).”
Going Independent?
K-pop fans are left wondering what happens next with Younha. Well, she isn’t completely walking away from recording and she shared on social media that she’s “okay.” She told her many fans she will “continue her music career independently.” Her representative also asked that media outlets “refrain from speculative reporting regarding other C9 artists.”
As of today’s announcement, no new agency has been confirmed. Her legal rep simply stated that she “will continue her music activities going forward.”
It’s Not The First Time For Younha
K-Pop fans might be aware that Younha has done this before. In 2011, Soompi reported that “Younha filed a lawsuit against her agency Lion Media, in order to check the existence of her exclusive contract. On August 23rd, it was revealed that Lion Media has now filed a lawsuit against Younha for approximately $1 million dollars. Lion Media is stating that they incurred losses due to Younha’s breach of the exclusive contract.”
Younha, who began her career in Japan in 2004 as a 16-year-old, had been affiliated with her agency for close to seven years. She had signed her contract when she was still very young, and later claimed that some of the terms were unfair.
The earlier legal battle ended in February 2012 when both sides withdrew their lawsuits and Lion Media agreed to pay Younha 100 million won in unpaid earnings. Later that year, she signed with the company that became C9 Entertainment, where she remained for the next 14 years.
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