Mnet’s hit survival show Boys II Planet was recently concluded with a grand finale that resulted in the formation of the upcoming K-pop boy group ALPHA DRIVE ONE. However, the company CJ ENM, along with the show’s production, is under controversy after a news report by Dispatch exposed some shady contract terms that were given to the trainees who appeared on Boys II Planet. Read on to know more.
Dispatch Exposes Controversial Clauses Of BOYS PLANET II Contract
The news report released by Dispatch, a South Korean media outlet, quickly went viral due to the nature of the contracts that Mnet provided to Boys II Planet contestants. Critics in the industry are calling it one of the most exploitative deals in recent K-pop history.
Unlike previous groups that were formed through Mnet’s survival show groups like Wanna One (1.5-year contract) and ZEROBASEONE (2.5-year contract), the contestants selected in Boys II Planet are bound to CJ ENM for a 5-Year mandatory contract and an additional ‘special activity’ term, which totals for a term of six years.
Members of the Boys II Planet group ALPHA DRIVE ONE will have to exclusively work under CJ ENM and its subsidiary WakeOne for 5 years. Additionally, even after the official promotions end, they will be bound to the company for an additional year to release one more single and hold at least one performance in their sixth year. During this time, the artists can only promote as part of ALPHA DRIVE ONE with no individual freedom during the contract period
However, the most shocking part of Dispatch’s report is that CJ ENM is also granted full control over the trainees who did not make it to the final lineup for ALPHA DRIVE ONE. The contract states that even the eliminated trainees who starred on the show will be retained by CJ ENM and cannot debut in another group or in their respective companies till further notice.
Also Read: Meet The 8 Finalists Of Boys Planet II Debuting As Members Of Alpha Drive One!
The contract states, “Even if a contestant is not selected as a final member, CJ ENM retains exclusive management rights and may form another group with them.” For many trainees, it’s not a survival show, but a six-year sentence with no exit clause.
Also Read: Boys II Planet’s Peng Jinyu Expresses Regret Over Malicious Comments About BTS, TWICE, And More!