Younha has ended her exclusive contract with C9 Entertainment, the agency she’d been with since 2012. The contract ended on September 14, and she has filed a lawsuit to recover earnings she says went unpaid.
Her law firm, Illo, said in a statement that Younha had asked the agency several times to fix a long-running failure to pay her earnings, and that she gave notice of termination in September when nothing changed. The firm said she will keep making music, and asked the media not to speculate.
Younha also wrote to fans herself on X. She said she’ll sort out the remaining issues through the legal process, thanked everyone for waiting, and promised to repay them with good music and stages. She posted in Korean only, so the English below is kpop/fwd’s translation.
Hello, this is Younha.
This past September, I ended my exclusive contract with C9. I plan to work through the few remaining issues within the procedures set by law.
Something unwelcome has happened, but I’ll sort things out one at a time and come to see you all. Thank you for waiting, and I’ll be sure to repay you with good music and stages.
The artists and staff at C9 have nothing to do with this matter. I’d be grateful if you could keep that in mind.
I’m okay.
Original Korean
안녕하세요, 윤하입니다.
지난 9월, 저는 씨나인과의 전속계약을 종료했습니다. 몇가지 남은 문제들은 법이 정한 절차 안에서 정리해 나갈 예정입니다.
반갑지 않은 일이 생기긴 했지만, 하나씩 정리하며 여러분들을 만나러 가겠습니다. 기다려 주셔서 감사드리며 좋은 음악과 무대로 꼭 보답하겠습니다.
씨나인 소속 아티스트들과 직원분들은 이번 일과 무관합니다. 이 점을 헤아려 주시면 감사하겠습니다.
저는 괜찮습니다.
C9 Entertainment confirmed that the contract has ended. In its notice, the agency said it will respect the court’s final judgment, thanked Younha for her years of work, and said it will cheer her on in her new chapter. C9 posted the notice in English and Korean; here is its English version as published.
Hello, this is C9 Entertainment.
We would like to inform you that the exclusive contract with our artist Younha has ended.
Furthermore, regarding the ongoing settlement-related lawsuit, we are clarifying the points of disagreement between the parties through legal procedures, and we will respect the court’s final judgment and faithfully fulfill our obligations accordingly.
We express our deep gratitude for the sincerity and passion for music that Younha has shown, as well as the numerous achievements she has accomplished as an artist. Though our long journey together has come to an end, we will cherish the precious time we spent with Younha for a long time.
We also sincerely support Younha as she continues to showcase her talents as an artist through a wider range of music and activities in her new environment.
Please continue to show unwavering interest and warm support as Younha embarks on her new journey.
Thank you.
Original Korean
안녕하세요.
C9엔터테인먼트입니다.
당사 소속 아티스트 윤하와의 전속계약이 종료되었음을 알려드립니다.
아울러 현재 진행 중인 정산금 관련 소송에 대해서는 양측 간 이견이 있는 사항을 법적 절차에 따라 확인하고 있으며, 당사는 향후 법원의 최종 판단을 존중하고 그 결과에 따라 필요한 의무를 성실히 이행할 예정입니다.
당사는 그동안 윤하가 보여준 음악에 대한 진정성과 열정, 그리고 아티스트로서 이뤄낸 수많은 성과에 깊은 감사의 마음을 전합니다. 오랜 시간 함께해 온 동행은 마무리되지만, 당사는 윤하와 함께했던 소중한 시간을 오래도록 간직하겠습니다.
또한 앞으로 윤하가 새로운 환경에서 더욱 다양한 음악과 활동을 통해 아티스트로서의 역량을 펼쳐 나가기를 진심으로 응원하겠습니다.
앞으로도 윤하가 걸어갈 새로운 여정에 변함없는 관심과 따뜻한 응원을 부탁드립니다.
감사합니다.
While she works through it, you can revisit ‘Seasonal Crime’ (계절범죄), one of the music videos she released in March, below.