The bitter legal battle between SS501 singer Park Jung Min
and his former record label CNR Media, finally came to an end last
week, after the star reportedly agreed to an out of court settlement.
Agreed to on May 22, the settlement was reportedly less than Park's original requested sum of $180,000.
Yet, Park's lawyers claim the 10-month legal action was never about the money.
"We weren't
seeking to get any money for the lawsuit from the beginning," one of
Park Jung Min lawyers told the Korea Star Daily.
"We only
wanted to clarify our stand and clear up all ties with his former
agency. This new development will allow Park Jung Min to focus all his
energies on his current activities."
The SS501
singer's decision to lower the amount he felt CNR Media owed him after
terminating a three-year exclusive contract he signed in 2010, was
prompted by reports that his former agency is struggling
financially.
Back in
August, a couple of weeks after Park filed his initial lawsuit, CNR
Media employees told the publication TV Daily that the star's demands
were unfair, and a judge's initial ruling allowing him out of his
contract was unjust.
"In this matter, the artist's request was too much," said Hwabo, head of legal affairs for CNR.
"The
company's payment was reasonable, but still he filed a lawsuit to
terminate the contract, without giving an attempt to settle the affair
with the company and has started activities on his own. Therefore, we
refuse to accept the court's decision in terminating the contract, thus
decided lodge a counter appeal. Also, we have many related supporting
documents."
A CNR Media
public affairs spokesperson blamed the lawsuit for the company's
financial struggles, alleging that the star caused major credibility
issues for the label after announcing "Park Jung Min worked, but did not
receive money."
Park is currently completing a new album and planning promotional tours in Japan and Taiwan.
The singer's
new record label Yamaha A&R promptly issued a statement trumpeting
the star's victory over his old management company.
"Park Jung Min has cleanly closed his relationship with CNR Media," the statement read.
"He's been exempted from all the related businesses and miscellaneous contract issues with his previous label."
