PocketDol Studio, which manages Jeon Min Wook and Sakurada Kenshin from Close Your Eyes, has reported them as missing to the police after losing contact with them.

 

PocketDol Studio, home to BAE173, has denied UNCORE's allegations that the management contract for the project group "Close Your Eyes" prohibits members from engaging in activities outside the group. On January 10, UNCORE, a management label owned by JTBC, issued a stern warning to the agencies of contestants from the survival program *Close Your Eyes*. They claimed that one agency had been attempting to arrange independent activities for a member, which they described as a breach of contract and an interference with the group's activities.

In response, PocketDol Studio issued an official statement rejecting these claims. The studio explained, "UNCORE's accusations are untrue. PocketDol Studio participated in the JTBC audition program 'Project 7' after being invited by the producers, which led to two trainees, J-Min (Jeon Min Wook) and Sakurada Kenshin, winning spots in the project group."

PocketDol further clarified, "When the contract for the program was signed, it was clearly stated that if a trainee won a place in the project group, they would still be allowed to pursue other activities. The contract specifically included a clause stating that during the project's 36-month promotion period, the artist would prioritize the project's activities, but could still engage in previously scheduled activities as long as there was prior notification and no overlap with the project group’s promotions." The studio also mentioned that they had informed UNCORE about BAE173's plans to release an album and go on an overseas tour, but after "Close Your Eyes" members were confirmed, UNCORE revised the terms of the contract. PocketDol Studio emphasized that the revised contract was not signed before the "Close Your Eye"* performance at the '39th Golden Disc Awards' in Japan.

One of the key issues for PocketDol Studio was UNCORE's decision to prevent Jeon Min Wook and Sakurada Kenshin from communicating with them. According to PocketDol, the label is also acting as the legal guardian of Sakurada Kenshin, a minor and foreign national in South Korea.

When they were unable to contact Kenshin, PocketDol Studio filed a missing person report on January 8. The studio claimed that UNCORE misled the police by stating that the two members were with their parents, only for the police to discover that they were actually in a practice room. This situation further eroded PocketDol’s trust in UNCORE. Finally, PocketDol Studio warned that if UNCORE did not acknowledge these facts, they would release the original contract and pursue legal action.