Alpha Drive One’s Geonwoo sues WakeOne over contract status after post-controversy hiatus
The member seeks a court ruling after six months off activities following allegations of verbal abuse toward production staff.
Alpha Drive One’s Geonwoo poses for photos during a showcase for the release of the group’s first EP, ″Euphoria,″ at Blue Square in central Seoul on Jan. 12.
DANIELA GONZALEZ PEREZ
Boy band Alpha Drive One's member Geonwoo filed a lawsuit against his agency, WakeOne, to seek clarification of his contractual status after being on hiatus for six months following allegations that the singer verbally abused production staff.
Geonwoo recently filed a lawsuit seeking a court ruling on the validity of his exclusive contract and his position under the contract. Local media outlets, including Yonhap, speculated that the member was seeking to resume his activities.
"We have prepared various plans for Kim Geon-woo's future activities, including specific schedules and content, and continued discussions," WakeOne said in a statement on Sunday.
"However, differences emerged between the two sides during those discussions, leading to legal proceedings."
The agency apologized for not being able to share further details and asked the public not to spread misinformation regarding the matter.
"Alpha Drive One's activity will be continued as planned," the agency said. "We will support the currently active seven members so that they can focus on their music and stages in a stable environment."
Geonwoo paused his official activities in April after apologizing for alleged verbal abuse toward a production staff member. The agency described the hiatus as a time of "self-reflection."
The boy band member came under fire mere weeks after the group's debut on Jan. 12, when people claiming to be witnesses shared stories of Geonwoo verbally abusing a staff member during a broadcast recording that surfaced online.
While neither Geonwoo nor WakeOne’s statements specify details of the alleged incident, both seem to allude to the allegations that surfaced in January.
Alpha Drive One was formed through Mnet's boy band audition program "Boys II Planet" (2025) and debuted as an eight-member band on Jan. 12 with its first EP "Euphoria." The band has performed as a seven-member act since April.
BY CHO YONG-JUN [[email protected]]
