Entertainment agency Source Music has filed an application to trademark the English name of K-pop group GFRIEND in March.
Source Music, a label under HYBE Co. (formerly Big Hit Entertainment), announced on May 18 that members of GFRIEND will be leaving the agency upon the expiration of their exclusive contract on May 22.
“The exclusive artist contract with GFRIEND and Source Music will be concluded on May 22. After careful consideration and extensive discussion, GFRIEND and Source Music have come to an agreement to follow separate paths to continued growth,” the agency said.
The announcement has created confusion among fans as it is not clear if the announcement meant GFRIEND would be disbanding after six years in the entertainment industry.
They were also surprised that Source Music made the announcement just four days before the end of GFRIEND’s contract.
GFRIEND members communicated with fans until May 18 before the announcement was made. Umji held a V Live broadcast at 1 a.m. on May 18 while Yuju posted a photo of a diary on May 17 about their debut on Jan. 15, 2015.
GFRIEND, composed of Sowon, SinB, Yerin, Eunha, Yuju and Umji, debuted in January 2015 and their contracts are the first to expire among HYBE artists. According to a corporate document filed by HYBE, GFRIEND’s contracts will expire this year followed by NU’EST and Seventeen in 2022, BTS in 2024, TXT in 2026 and Zico in 2027.
Can they use the group name GFRIEND after leaving Source Music? The agency owns the trademark to the Korean name of GFRIEND. It applied for its trademark on Jan. 23, 2015 and it was registered on Nov. 3, 2015, according to the Korea Intellectual Property Rights Information Service.
On March 11 this year, Source Music applied for the trademark of GFRIEND’s English name and the application is still pending as of writing.
HYBE owns 1,385 trademarks, patents, design rights and other intellectual property rights in Korea and abroad.
Last year, GFRIEND sold 237,622 copies of albums, up from 175,414 copies in 2019, 139,226 copies in 2018, 175,618 in 2017 and 104,135 in 2016, according to a HYBE corporate document.
In its announcement on May 18, Source Music added, “For the past six years, GFRIEND has won the boundless love of K-pop frans through a wide range of concepts, performances and songs that marked a new generation of girl group and music.”
“We would like to express our sincere and heartfelt gratitude to GFRIEND who has allowed Source Music to accompany them on their journey,” it said.
It added, “We would like to deeply thank all BUDDY and fans who have shown your love for GFRIEND, and we ask that you give your unchanging love and support to the members who will begin their adventures in new and diverse areas. Source Music will always continue to cheer for the members as they take the first step towards new beginnings.”
Source Music was acquired by HYBE in July 2019. GFRIEND released their third studio album “Walpurgis Night” last Nov. 9.