FIFTY FIFTY, who are set to release their second mini-album on September 20th, revealed their first individual trailer through their official YouTube channel at midnight on the 12th. The name of the new member, which had not been disclosed in the group trailer released on the 9th, was finally revealed as Athena.
ATTRAKT, the agency representing FIFTY FIFTY, stated, “While the group trailer showcased the newly reborn FIFTY FIFTY, the individual trailers focus on highlighting the unique charms of each member. We hope for a lot of anticipation for the member reveal videos, which will feature different moods and styles.”
However, on the same day, the entertainment company IOK Company announced that they had recently established a subsidiary label, MASSIVE E&C, and signed exclusive contracts with the three former members of FIFTY FIFTY, causing a stir in the music industry.
According to the new contracts, the former FIFTY FIFTY members, Saena, Aran, and Sio, will start their activities as a new global idol group under IOK Company’s MASSIVE E&C, potentially as early as this fall.
IOK Company highlighted the significant contributions of these three members to the global success of the song “Cupid,” which reached notable positions on various Billboard charts, including 17th on the Billboard Hot 100, 8th on the Billboard Global 200, and 5th on the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. They emphasized that Saena played a key role in creating the iconic dance move for “Cupid” that sparked the TikTok dance challenge phenomenon, while Aran and Sio’s unique vocal abilities contributed to the song’s domestic and global success.
IOK Company is not only involved in content production, such as films and dramas, but also manages several well-known actors, including Jo In-sung, Go Hyun-jung, Shin Hye-sun, Moon Chae-won, Kim Ha-neul, and Chae Jong-hyeop.
Previously, the three former members of FIFTY FIFTY, often referred to as “SamFIFTY,” had each opened their own social media accounts, drawing attention to their next steps. The timing of FIFTY FIFTY’s group trailer release, where they revealed the names of members including Kina, coincided with SamFIFTY’s creation of new accounts and the posting of their first content. The trio used profile pictures from the animated series “Powerpuff Girls,” giving the impression that they had banded together to fight against a common enemy.
The reactions from industry insiders and netizens toward SamFIFTY remain largely negative. Many find the fact that these members, who were once labeled as “backstabbers,” have found a new agency and are aiming for another global success story to be disappointing and shocking. While it is understandable that SamFIFTY needs to continue their careers and finding a new agency is a natural step, many feel that announcing this comeback while still embroiled in legal disputes is a disregard for industry sentiment.
Moreover, the new photos of the SamFIFTY members released alongside the agency announcement have caused confusion, as they look so different from when they were active as members of FIFTY FIFTY that some people are questioning whether they are the same individuals. Without the explanation that they were once part of FIFTY FIFTY, many would not recognize them. Perhaps, for those embarking on this uncertain new beginning, this might be a fortunate turn of events. There is keen interest in whether the two groups’ comeback timings will overlap, intensifying the already high level of attention.
