ENTERTAINMENT
BAE173's J-Min Halts Group Activities Amid Contract Dispute to Focus on New Group 'Close Your Eyes'

According to reports from TenAsia, J-Min communicated his desire to pause his activities with BAE173 to both the agency and his fellow group members last month. A member of BAE173, referred to as A, expressed disappointment but acknowledged J-Min's determination to pursue the new project.
J-Min's contract with PocketDol for BAE173 activities extends until 2027, while the proposed contract with CYE spans three years, potentially overlapping with BAE173's active period.
Member A stated, "It would be great to continue working with J-Min, but we can't hold him back if he's set on leaving. He seemed apologetic, so we told him to follow his heart." Despite the setback, BAE173 plans to make a comeback with a new album around April or May.
J-Min was notably absent from a BAE173 fan signing event on the 10th of last month, and communication between him and the group has ceased since his announcement.

For J-Min to officially join CYE, all parties—PocketDol, Encore, and J-Min—must sign the contract. However, PocketDol has refused, citing discrepancies between the pre-show and post-show contract terms.
PocketDol reported J-Min as missing to the police on the evening of the 8th last month, but he was found the next day at the agency's office, where he reiterated his intention to leave BAE173.

Encore, on the other hand, argues that the contract terms were clear from the start, stating that participants could not engage in activities outside the project group without prior approval.
J-Min and his representatives have not responded to inquiries about his decision to halt BAE173 activities. CYE's manager declined to comment on the contract situation.
CYE, formed by the top seven contestants of 'Project 7,' includes J-Min, Sakurada Kenshin, Ma Jingxiang, Seo Kyung-bae, Song Seung-ho, Jang Yeo-jun, and Kim Sung-min. The group is managed by Encore, a joint venture between SLL, a content production company under the JoongAng Group, and YG PLUS, a subsidiary of YG Entertainment.