JYJ Sues Over Cancellation

Korean vocal group JYJ has filed a complaint with the Korean Fair Trade Commission against the TV network KBS.

The group, which is still involved in a lawsuit with the talent agency that oversaw the three members’ previous group TVXQ, claims that KBS was responsible for its being pulled from a concert promoting the island of Jeju.

According to JYJ’s current management company, C-JeS Entertainment, the group received a request in April from the local government of Jeju to become an honorary ambassador for the island’s “New Seven Wonders” campaign.

Jeju is a historically significant island in Korea’s history and an important tourist destination.

At first, JYJ turned down the offer because the band was in the midst of a world tour, but the Jeju government said the official appointment ceremony would be at a concert in July.

JYJ accepted the offer and the government asked the band to promote Jeju at its concerts and personal appearances, which the group has been doing since May 4.

The televised concert was confirmed for July 20, with JYJ scheduled to perform two songs.

However, on July 16 the appearance was canceled unilaterally. To many followers of the group it seemed obvious that KBS, which was to televise the concert, is under pressure from other management companies who still hold a grudge against JYJ for bucking the system, and JYJ’s appearance might have ended up scuttling the whole concert.

The network’s Jeju branch told media that it had apologized to the group, which denied receiving anything but a notice that the concert was canceled. JYJ demands that KBS specify exactly why the group’s appearance was cut.