The K-pop group VIVIZ has announced its separation from Big Planet Made Entertainment, marking a sudden and contentious end to their professional partnership. The group’s legal team alleges that the agency committed severe contract violations, including a systemic failure to pay artists their earned settlements and a total breakdown in management support.
According to a statement released by lawyer Woo Hong Gyun of the law firm Shinwon, the VIVIZ separation from Big Planet Made became official on March 4, 2026. The legal representative stated that the exclusive contract was lawfully terminated due to the agency’s breach of payment obligations and a resulting collapse of trust between the artists and their management.
The dispute centers on financial instability and a lack of transparency. The legal team claims that payment delays began around November 2025, when the agency missed a final settlement deadline by approximately one month. Following that incident, the representative alleges that Big Planet Made stopped paying settlements to the artists entirely. Despite repeated inquiries from the group, the agency reportedly offered only vague assurances that payments would be made “soon,” without ever delivering the funds.
A collapse of operational support
The financial strain reportedly extended beyond the artists’ personal earnings and began to erode the group’s professional trajectory. In January 2026, the agency allegedly notified VIVIZ that a new album, which was already in preparation, had been unilaterally canceled. This was followed by the cancellation of both domestic and international fan meetings that had been scheduled for the first half of 2026.
The level of dysfunction described by the legal team suggests a company unable to maintain basic operational costs. The statement revealed that the agency was unable to cover on-site expenses during activities, which forced a manager to leverage personal cash to ensure the group’s work could continue. The legal representative noted that the artists experienced “deep distress” as they witnessed the adverse effects of this instability on the staff and people working around them.
the group concluded that Big Planet Made had lost both the will and the financial capability to support their entertainment activities. This led to the decision to terminate the exclusive contract, as the trust required to maintain such a partnership had been completely severed.
Commitment to fans despite legal turmoil
Despite the termination of their contract on March 4, 2026, VIVIZ chose to fulfill their remaining professional obligations. The legal team stated that even as the group had no contractual requirement to participate in further overseas performances or scheduled activities after that date, they continued to work through the end of March.
This decision was framed as a gesture of responsibility toward their global fanbase. The group expressed a desire to continue working together as a single team, thanking their supporters for their unwavering trust during the transition. The delayed public announcement was attributed to the group’s wish to complete all planned activities before disclosing the legal separation.
| Date/Period | Event/Allegation |
|---|---|
| November 2025 | Initial settlement payment delayed by one month; subsequent payments ceased. |
| January 2026 | Unilateral cancellation of new album and 2026 fan meetings. |
| March 4, 2026 | Lawful termination of the exclusive contract. |
| End of March 2026 | VIVIZ completes all remaining scheduled activities. |
Wider instability at Big Planet Made
The turmoil surrounding VIVIZ appears to be part of a larger pattern of instability within the agency. Reports of the group’s departure first surfaced on the 19th of the previous month, coinciding with similar rumors regarding other artists under the label. When questioned about the situation, Big Planet Made indicated that final conclusions had not yet been reached regarding the contract terminations of VIVIZ, as well as artists Lee Mu Jin and BE’O.
At the time, the agency claimed it was making every effort to support the normal activities of its artists, a stance that contrasts sharply with the detailed allegations of financial negligence provided by VIVIZ’s legal counsel.
Big Planet Made Addresses Contract Termination Of VIVIZ, Lee Mu Jin, And BE’O
Disclaimer: This report is based on statements provided by legal representatives and agency responses; the specific financial allegations remain subject to legal verification.
The next step for the group will likely involve securing new management or establishing an independent path to resume the album and tour activities that were halted by Big Planet Made. Further updates regarding the contract status of Lee Mu Jin and BE’O are expected as the agency’s internal situation clarifies.
Do you consider more K-pop artists will move toward independent management following these types of disputes? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
