Ex-Wanna One members face mixed fate after disbandment

Kang Daniel's profile photo on his new Instagram account, “daniel.k.here”

By Jung Hae-myoung

Life doesn't always turn out the way you expect. This also holds true for celebrities.

When project group Wanna One disbanded last Dec. 31, 18 months after it was formed with 11 winners from CJ ENM reality show “Produce 101,” its fans were busy guessing how each member's career would turn out.

Many were convinced that lead vocal Kang Daniel would have relatively smooth sailing in his post-Wanna One career because of his enormous popularity and fandom. But more than two months after the group's breakup, such speculation has turned out to be wrong.

Kang, who finished first in the “Produce 101” audition, is mired in a legal dispute with his agency LM, while runner-up Park Ji-hoon has become one of the most sought-after singers since he debuted as a solo artist.

“Park Ji-hoon will have his first solo album released through an online music streaming website on March 26,” Maroo Entertainment announced on Thursday.

Following his successful Seoul fan meeting in February, Park's “2019 Asia Fan meeting in Taipei-First edition” earlier this month went well. His second Asian tour will be held over two days in Thailand.

Unlike Park, Kang has had some tough days. He is at odds with his new agency LM over the terms of their contract.

Kang changed his agency to LM Entertainment on Feb. 1 after his contract with MMO Entertainment expired.

Since then, Kang has been oddly quiet, until he recently spoke publicly about his dispute with the agency.

He reportedly hired high-profile lawyer Seon Moon-jong, who has extensive experience in lawsuits involving celebrities. Seon is said to be negotiating with the agency to settle the dispute.

Earlier, Kang sent a letter of certification to LM, demanding it change the contract terms in favor of the singer. Kang wrote that if he did not hear from the agency by Feb. 28, he would consider it the end of their contract.

LM did not respond to his request and denied media reports about the matter.

“This is a misunderstanding between the artist and the company,” LM Entertainment said on March 3. “It is true that Kang sent us the letter of certification but it is not about ending our exclusive contract.”

Kang disclosed his requests to the agency online.

He posted a message on the website of his official fan club, in which he admitted he sent the letter to the agency and requested it hand over his old Instagram account, a request the company refused.

Kang showed no sign of backing off from his initial position and wrote, “The truth will be disclosed.” He created a new Instagram account the next day, but has not uploaded any posts since.

Kang's old Instagram account reached a million followers 11 hours after he opened it on Jan. 1, setting a Guinness record as it was even faster than the follow rate of Pope Francis. Kang's old Instagram had over 2,720,000 followers as of Thursday.