Beloved Girl Group Who Left Pledis Hint At Issues With Their Group’s Name Copyright

The former fromis_9 members who left Pledis Entertainment, a label under HYBE, have revealed difficulties in coordinating opinions regarding the use of their team name.

On March 15, Baek Jiheon shared on a paid fan communication platform, saying, “It’s a distressing morning, but let’s try to overcome it. It pains me that our desire to keep our name is being taken advantage of. I wanted to stay quiet, but I was so upset that I lost some sleep last night. I have so much to say, but I’ll stop here. If I say more, (fans) might be shocked.”

She continued, “But don’t misunderstand. Financial matters or anything like that were never a consideration in our efforts to protect the group,. It seems like we just want to have a normal negotiation like other people do. Anyway, we’ll do our best to resolve this, but I hope Flovers (fromis_9’s fandom) will support us.”

Previously, Lee Chaeyoung also wrote on the communication platform, “Flover, I will definitely return as fromis_9. I really want to. I want to call you Flover. Even if we end up with a different name instead of fromis_9, please love us. It’s not something we can decide on our own. We’ll do our best, together as members. Please let us love you. Please.”

She also wrote, “But if we can’t use the name, does that mean we can’t use the fandom name either? Do others still use theirs? At least we can keep Flover, right? That’s a relief. Anyway, don’t worry and just wait a little longer. I’ll protect fromis_9. Noona will protect it.”

Meanwhile, fromis_9 was formed through Mnet’s audition program Idol School in September 2017 and debuted in November of the same year. In 2021, due to the label integration of their previous agency Off The Record Entertainment, they became part of Pledis Entertainment under HYBE. Their exclusive contract with Pledis ended on December 31 last year.

In January, five members—Song Hayoung, Park Jiwon, Lee Nagyung, Lee Chaeyoung, and Baek Jiheon—signed exclusive contracts with a new agency.

Source: (A)