On December 5, Ten Asia revealed that the show’s Japanese members – Fukuda Mirai, Utagokoro Rie, Azuma Aki, Makoto, Sumida Aiko, Natsuko, and Kanou Miyu – were recently informed of their removal from the production team without prior discussion. According to insiders, the reason for their sudden dismissal is related to their affiliation with nCH Entertainment.
After the October 24 taping, the production team reportedly informed the Japanese cast: “Today is your last recording session. Be careful moving forward.” This announcement, made in the presence of the programme’s authors and staff, took the cast by surprise.
The Japanese members’ final appearance aired on November 25. However, for the following episode on December 2, only Azuma Aki, also under nCH Entertainment, appeared on the show. It was later revealed that the production team personally contacted Azuma Aki for further appearances, creating further speculation about their decision-making process.
Some members, including Utagokoro Rie and Azuma Aki, have previously unreleased footage, such as behind-the-scenes recordings of the “Korea-Japan King’s Exhibition” held in Japan in late November. Despite the sudden demand for these additional recordings, members reportedly participated out of dedication to the program.
Regarding the controversy, the production team of “KOREA VS JAPAN TOP10 SHOW” explained: “The Japanese members have become very popular and their schedules are incredibly full. We had agreed that they would appear as available availability, but their agency did not provide filming times.”
In response, nCH Entertainment retorted: “On October 24, the production team told the members that it was their “final recording”, effectively bidding them farewell. The decision was abrupt and disconcerting. The members deeply wanted to continue the show and remain sorry about the situation.”
They further clarified: “While Rie occasionally faced scheduling challenges as a mother, the other members were completely helpful. It’s unfair to be removed overnight from a program where they appeared weekly.”
This controversy has its roots in an ongoing legal dispute between “KOREA VS JAPAN TOP10 SHOW” production company, CReA Studio, and nCH Entertainment. The conflict centers on concert and management rights to “King of Singers 2.”
CReA Studio alleges that nCH Entertainment breached its agreement by sublicensing certain concert rights to another company without prior consultation.
Meanwhile, nCH Entertainment denies any breach of contract, claiming that their sublicense was valid under the agreement and known to CReA Studio. When CReA Studio subsequently requested termination of the contract, nCH Entertainment refused, prompting CReA Studio to unilaterally cancel the concert and management agreements.
As a result, the future of the “King of Singers 2” concert remains uncertain, with industry sources indicating that the ongoing legal battle puts its performance in doubt.
Source: Naver
