Yoo Da-bin's agency raises suspicions of unfair contract tempering of MPMG, broadcaster tyranny (Full Story)
Apr 24, 2025
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On the 24th, CEO Kim Billy announced his official position raising suspicions of serious unfair contracts and tempering by production company MPMG in connection with the Mnet band audition program 'Great Seoul Invasion', which featured artist Yoo Da-bin from Bilibin Music.
Regarding the contract of artist Yoo Da-bin from Billibin Music who participated in Mnet 'Great Seoul Invitation' from July to September 2022 under the team name of 'Yudabin Band', the program production company clearly promised to sign a consignment contract upon winning the award, but after winning the award, he committed a clear violation of his promise beyond just non-fulfillment of the contract by unilaterally changing the form of the contract to 'Agence Contract' without any prior consultation or consent.
Although Yudavin had already signed a valid personal exclusive contract with Bilibin Music, MPMG attempted an illegal double contract with Yudavin under the name of the team's activity called 'Yudavin Band', completely excluding the existing agency, and this was a clear violation of the exclusive contract and a serious issue that could not avoid legal responsibility.
In addition, the program production company also said that despite converting the consignment contract promised at the time of audition to an agency contract on the unilateral basis of 'underrated ratings', it did not provide any official document or explanation of the relevant contract or the reason for the change, and that the change of the contract completely ignored the basic procedure even though it must be discussed with the legal party.
Billibin Music has repeatedly demanded an explanation from MPMG's representative for this unfair situation, but said that the only return was a perfunctory and inauthentic apology of "sorry", which is a complete disregard for the rights and efforts of the agency that has grown with the artist over the years.
Finally, in order to protect the rights of his artists and create a fair music industry ecosystem, CEO Kim Billy called on MPMG to disclose the promised contract, officially explain the details of the double contract, respect and rights guarantees of existing contracts, prevent recurrence, and make an official apology.
Next, the official position of Bilibin Music CEO Kim Bilibin (Kim Byung-hun)
From July 20 to September 29, 2022, the band audition program organized by Mnet and produced and broadcasted by MPMG (MPMG) was awarded by its artist Yoo Da-bin under the name of Yoo Da-bin Band. Before the broadcast, the production company explained the conditions that a consignment contract would be signed when winning the audition, and decided to participate accordingly.
However, after the award, the contract form was unilaterally changed in the name of 'Agence Contract' rather than 'Entrustment Contract', and there was no explanation or consent procedure at all.
Billibin Music has a clear personal exclusive contract with Judabin, and the name 'Judabin Band' is only the name of the team's activities and cannot be the legal entity of the contract.
Nevertheless, the production company MPMG signed a separate contract with Yudavin under the name of 'Judavin Band', without any discussion or consultation with Yudavin's agency, Billivin Music.
This is a clear double contract, and the contract is an unfair act that ignores the legitimate exclusive contract relationship, excluding existing agencies that need to coordinate the direction and timing of the artist's activities under the exclusive contract signed with the artist.
After realizing this belatedly, I visited the head of MPMG's agency to explain the situation myself and ask for clarification, but when the rights of artists who have been together for months and years have been ignored and their damages and damages have been accumulated, the answer is "Sorry." It was just one word.
The consignment contract stated at the time of the audition was not followed by "audience." has been unilaterally transferred to an agency contract, and no explanation or documentation has been communicated about it.
The changes to the contract should have been shared in advance with Billibin Music, a legally involved party, and any proceedings without that process are seriously flawed in both procedural legitimacy and transparency.
This issue is not just a communication failure or administrative error, it is a repetition of the apparent tempering structure.
Direct contracts for artists excluding existing agencies, which are problematic in the idol industry, are now being carried out through audition programs and production companies in the indie scene.
The structure in which influential production companies directly contact artists on the basis of broadcasting and awards, and sign independent contracts while ignoring existing contractual relationships, eventually leads to a tragedy in which only weak indie labels are left out.
Bilibin Music requires the following responsible actions and explanations.
1. Formal disclosure of promised consignment contracts and changed agency contracts before auditions
2. Official explanation of the progress of the double contract with the artist of the company
3. Respect the contents of the existing exclusive contract with Yudavin and guarantee the rights of Bilibin Music
4. Preparation of fair contract guidelines and apology to prevent recurrence
If you ask this question, more indie labels and artists will be forced to remain silent in the same way in the future, and broadcasters and producers will be responsible for a healthy and autonomous indie ecosystem.
silk781220@sportschosun.com
