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Noh Min-woo files lawsuit against SM Ent, reports to FTC

May 11, 2015
Noh Min-woo (Yonhap)

Noh Min-woo (Yonhap)

South Korean actor Noh Min-woo, 28, has reportedly filed a claim for damages against his former agency, SM Entertainment.

Noh’s attorney stated through a press release Monday that the actor filed the suit with Seoul Central District Court at the end of April and simultaneously reported SM for unfair business practices to the Federal Trade Commission, Yonhap reported.

Noh debuted in 2004 with the band TRAX.

The firm representing Noh said SM extended Noh’s contract to 17 years before he debuted with the agency in a one-sided action when fair, standard contracts do not exceed seven years.

“It’s a problem that he was tied into a 17-year contract, but it’s also a problem that, when he left SM to begin independent activities, the agency blocked him from appearing on all broadcasting stations,” the firm said.

SM Entertainment responded by calling the suit and the report to the FTC groundless, Yonhap reported.

This is not the agency’s first contract dispute with talent — others who have hit SM with lawsuits with a range of contract-related reasons include JYJ and former EXO members Kris and Luhan.