KeyEast Entertainment Has Terminated Ji Soo’s Exclusive Contract

Following the previous news of Actor Ji Soo bullying scandal, KeyEast Entertainment has terminated Ji Soo’s exclusive contract, according to media reports.

Ji Soo's contract with KeyEast is terminated :((
— danyieeeel (@DKehkhai) May 28, 2021

Table of Contents

KeyEast Entertainment Terminated Ji Soo’s Contract

On May 27, KeyEast Entertainment released an official statement mentioning that they have terminated Ji Soo’s exclusive contract based on a mutual decision. The agency also said that they would come to their best to resolve the lawsuit filed against the actor.

KeyEast official statement is as follows:

“Hello, this is KeyEast.
This is a notice that the exclusive contract with our agency’s actor Ji Soo has come to a conclusion.
We assessed that it is currently difficult for Ji Soo to carry out activities, and we respect the actor’s personal intention to not cause further harm to the agency, so a mutual final decision was made to terminate his contract.
Regarding the ongoing lawsuit on “River Where The Moon Rises,” we will do our best until the end in order to resolve the situation.
Thank you.”

so keyeast decided to end the exclusive contract with ji soo
— afeyu 🇵🇸 (@afeyu252) May 27, 2021

River Where the Moon Rises Lawsuit

Previously, the company that produced the River Where the Moon Rises Korean drama, Victory Contents, filed a lawsuit against Actor Ji Soo and KeyEast Entertainment. They sued both Ji Soo and the company for 3 billion KRW (around 2,661,771 USD) for compensation because they have to re-film all Ji Soo’s scenes with Na In Woo after Ji Soo dropped out in early March.

Actor Ji Soo in River Where the Moon Rises

Before KeyEast terminated Ji Soo’s exclusive contract, he used to be the lead actor for River Where the Moon Rises. Moreover, the drama had been around 95% completed when Ji Soo’s bullying scandal arose. That is why the company has to film all the scenes that have Ji Soo in them, which basically means almost everything.

KeyEast Entertainment Terminated Ji Soo’s Exclusive Contract and Refused to Pay the Compensation

On May 25, Victory Contents released an official statement regarding River Where the Moon Rises lawsuit. The company disclosed that KeyEast Entertainment has refused to pay any compensation because they believe they are not responsible for any financial damages.

“May 20, 2021 was the first date of our legal negotiations regarding the damages filed against KeyEast Entertainment. However, not a single KeyEast Entertainment official attended the meeting.
KeyEast Entertainment is claiming that, ‘Ji Soo’s departure from the series was made in a one-sided decision by Victory Contents and KBS. They failed to confirm the facts, but came to a conclusion on their own so we are not responsible for the breach of contract.
Victory Contents representative.

Victory Contents also stated that failing to take responsibility for the damage, KeyEast Entertainment has disrespected all crew members and the cast of River Where the Moon Rises.

“KeyEast Entertainment has been distorting Ji Soo’s school violence accusations. They have been falsifying the allegations to make it seem like the rumors are not true. The agency is committing another offense by failing to take responsibility for their actions. The actors, directors, writers, and all other staff members of the series became firsthand victims of Ji Soo’s school violence allegations.
KeyEast Entertainment has been promoting a new series with a production cost of ₩40.0 billion KRW (about $35.6 million USD) featuring Hallyu actress Lee Young Ae. However, we have not yet been paid a single cent for the damages they have been caused.
Victory Contents representative.

Ji Soo’s Bullying Scandal

Ji Soo’s bullying scandal first arose when an anonymous netizen had uploaded a post. The source had claimed to be Ji Soo’s classmate at Seorabeol Middle School, between 2006-2008.

The post mentioned that Ji Soo’s bullying scandal happened when they were in 8^th grade. According to the report, Ji Soo was “the top delinquent of the school and committed numerous evil acts”, including “beating, insulting, and stomping”.

In response to Ji Soo’s bullying scandal, KeyEast Entertainment previously confirmed some of the allegations. However, there has been no proof about Ji Soo’s alleged sexual assault. That is why the company asked the public to refrain from “making such one-sided speculations”.

According to dispatch news article, Sexual assault allegations about Ji Soo are false.

KeyEast said in an official statement, Ji Soo took the time to confirm the facts because he didn't want to cause another damage.#JiSoo pic.twitter.com/yN5tIkvtey
— hany⁷🧈 (@_captainhany) March 5, 2021

On top of everything, Ji Soo had also posted an apology regarding his past actions. That is why he will refrain from any activities as an actor. Ji Soo will use his remaining seven months to reflect before enlisting in October 2021.

‼️ BREAKING ‼️

Actor Ji Soo will enlist in the military in October this year. After completing four weeks of basic military training, Ji Soo will serve as a public social worker. pic.twitter.com/XnQHp9orNn
— The Saranghe Oppa (@TheSarangheOppa) March 5, 2021

Let us hope for the best for Actor Ji Soo. Himnaeseyo!