Court Backs FANTASY BOYS & BAE173's Doha: Contract Suspensions Granted Against Agency PocketDol Studio

A Seoul court has delivered a significant blow to K-pop agency PocketDol Studio, granting injunctions to suspend the exclusive contracts of seven idols. The ruling favors six members of the boy group FANTASY BOYS—Kang Minseo, Lee Hanbin, Hikaru, Hong Sungmin, Kim Gyurae, and Kaedan—alongside BAE173 member Doha. This legal action, initiated in November 2025, signals a profound rupture in the relationship between the artists and their management, moving beyond private disputes into a public, adjudicated conflict.

The core of the dispute centers on the artists' petitions for a provisional injunction to suspend their contracts. Such legal measures are typically pursued when idols allege breaches of trust or fundamental contract terms by their agency, making continued enforcement unjust. The court's decision to side with the petitioners suggests it found merit in their claims against PocketDol Studio, a subsidiary of the larger entertainment conglomerate MBK Entertainment. The agency has issued a response, indicating it is reviewing the ruling, a standard posture that often precedes potential appeals or negotiations.

This ruling intensifies scrutiny on PocketDol Studio's management practices and its stability as a label. For the affected groups, FANTASY BOYS and BAE173, the suspensions create immediate uncertainty regarding group activities, promotions, and future projects. The case adds to a growing pattern of K-pop idols seeking judicial intervention against agencies, highlighting systemic pressures within the industry. The outcome places substantial pressure on PocketDol to address the underlying issues or risk further reputational and operational damage.