FIFTY FIFTY (피프티피프티) is a South Korean K-pop girl group formed by ATTRAKT. Their story is one of unprecedented global success followed by a highly publicized and contentious legal battle that reshaped their lineup.
Here’s a breakdown:
Members
| Member | Orig. | Curr. |
|---|---|---|
| Keena | Yes | Yes |
| Saena | Yes | No |
| Aran | Yes | No |
| Sio | Yes | No |
| Chanelle Moon | No | Yes |
| Yewon | No | Yes |
| Hana | No | Yes |
| Athena | No | Yes |
1. Original Members & Debut (2022)
- Original Members: Saena (새나; leader), Aran (아란), Keena (키나), Sio (시오).
- Agency: ATTRAKT (CEO Jeon Hong-joon).
- Debut: November 18, 2022, with the EP The Fifty and the lead single “Higher.”
2. Breakthrough Success: “Cupid” (2023)
- Viral Sensation: In February 2023, they released their single album The Beginning: Cupid, featuring the title track “Cupid.” The song, particularly its sped-up “Twin Version” (sung by the members in English), went massively viral on TikTok and other social media platforms.
- Global Chart Domination: “Cupid” achieved unprecedented success for a rookie K-pop group:
- It entered the Billboard Hot 100 in the US, making them the fastest K-pop group to do so.
- It charted on the UK Singles Chart.
- It topped global charts on Spotify and other streaming services.
- Signature Sound: The group was praised for their unique, easy-listening “lo-fi pop” sound, often described as dreamy and nostalgic, which resonated with a wide international audience.
3. The Contract Dispute & Legal Battle (2023)
This is where their story took a dramatic turn.
- Members’ Lawsuit: In June 2023, the four members filed for an injunction to suspend their exclusive contracts with ATTRAKT, citing issues such as:
- Lack of transparency regarding earnings.
- Unpaid settlements.
- Neglect of their health and well-being.
- Lack of support and resources.
- ATTRAKT’s Counter-Allegations: ATTRAKT vehemently denied the claims and accused an external production company, The Givers (led by CEO Ahn Sung-il), of “tampering” with the members and attempting to poach them for another agency. ATTRAKT alleged that Ahn Sung-il manipulated the members and withheld crucial information.
- Court Rulings:
- Initially, the Seoul Central District Court denied the injunction, siding with ATTRAKT.
- The members appealed the decision.
- Keena’s Return: In October 2023, Keena withdrew her appeal and returned to ATTRAKT, apologizing to the agency and its CEO. She later provided testimony that supported ATTRAKT’s claims about The Givers’ alleged tampering.
- Contract Termination for Three Members: Following Keena’s return, the appeals of Saena, Aran, and Sio were dismissed. ATTRAKT subsequently terminated their exclusive contracts in October 2023, citing their refusal to return and breach of contract.
- Ongoing Legal Battles: ATTRAKT has pursued legal action against The Givers and Ahn Sung-il for alleged breach of trust and fraud.
4. Group Rebranding (2024)
- Keena as the Sole Original Member: Keena is currently the only original member remaining with ATTRAKT.
- Reboot & New Lineup: ATTRAKT announced plans to rebrand FIFTY FIFTY with Keena and a new lineup of members.
- They conducted global auditions to find new members.
- In June 2024, it was confirmed that four new members have been selected, bringing the total to a five-member group with Keena.
- Comeback Plans: The “new” FIFTY FIFTY is slated to make their comeback in September 2024 with a new song.
- Documentary: A documentary about FIFTY FIFTY’s tumultuous journey is reportedly in production.
ATTRAKT has confirmed the five members below as the new FIFTY FIFTY members.
- Keena (키나): Main rapper and Vocal. She is the only original member of the five.
- Chanelle Moon (문샤넬): Main Vocal. She holds dual citizenship in South Korea and the United States. She was eliminated from JTBC’s survival reality show “R U Next?” but was selected as one of the new members of FIFTY FIFTY.
- Yewon (예원): Vocal. Like Chanelle Moon, she also participated in “R U Next?” and was eliminated, but was selected as a new member of FIFTY FIFTY.
- Hana (하나): Main Vocal. She was a former kids entertainer who ran a YouTube channel called “Singing Haram” (노래하는 하람).
- Athena (아테나): Vocal. She holds dual citizenship in South Korea and Sweden. Dreaming of becoming a K-pop idol, she participated in a global audition and was eliminated. However, she was scouted by ATTRAKT and joined as a trainee, later becoming a new member of FIFTY FIFTY.
5. Current Status & Future (2024 onwards)
- In 2024, FIFTY FIFTY released the album “Love Tune”, which included the first song “Starry Night” since the group’s rebranding, and received a great response from fans both domestically and internationally. The title track was “SOS”, and the follow-up was “Gravity”.
- Building on this popularity, they released the follow-up album “Day&Night” in 2025, which included the pre-released track “Perfect Crime”. The title tracks were “Pookie” and “Midnight Special”.
- In the second half of 2025, they released the digital single “Too Much Part 1” featuring the title track “Eeny meeny miny moe” (가위바위보).
FIFTY FIFTY’s story is a poignant one, highlighting the rapid highs and devastating lows that can occur in the K-pop industry, becoming a significant case study regarding contract disputes, agency-artist relationships, and third-party interference. Their future now rests on the success of the new lineup and their ability to recapture the global attention “Cupid” once brought them.