OJO GENG's Ibuki & Concert Producer Clash Over Participation: 'One-Sided Notice' Denied

The production company for the 'Street Woman Fighter 3' concert, Route59, has vehemently denied claims that they unilaterally decided to exclude OJO GENG's leader, Ibuki, from the show.

Route59 stated in an official statement that they had been in continuous negotiations for months to ensure OJO GENG's participation. However, communication with OJO GENG's manager proved difficult, leading to repeated delays and issues with the contract process. The late notification of Kyoka's absence from the September 6th performance was also attributed to these communication breakdowns.

The production company further revealed that OJO GENG's manager proposed opaque conditions, undisclosed to the members, and insisted that performance fees not be included in the contracts with the crew. Route59 deemed these unfair terms unacceptable. Despite these challenges, Route59 continued to negotiate directly with the crew members and reached a tentative agreement for all members, including Ibuki, to participate on August 26th. Ibuki had reportedly agreed to participate, keeping manager-related disputes private.

However, shortly before the performance on September 1st, while other members arrived for rehearsals, Ibuki did not use the provided flight arrangements and became unreachable. Through her lawyer, Ibuki then conveyed her decision not to honor the previous agreement, citing health reasons. Route59 clarified that they received Ibuki's lawyer's message expressing a desire to participate only after the company had already issued the notice of her absence from the Busan concert on September 8th, refuting the claim of a unilateral decision.

Route59 highlighted that Ibuki's new conditions invalidated the prior agreement and sought to re-sign with her manager, terms unacceptable to the other six members. The company expressed regret over the situation and stated they had documentation but withheld it out of respect for Ibuki. They concluded by emphasizing the remaining OJO GENG members' dedication to their fans and pledged full support for their performance.

Ibuki is the charismatic leader of the renowned Japanese dance crew OJO GENG, celebrated for her powerful performances and strong leadership. Her participation in 'Street Woman Fighter' Season 3 significantly boosted her recognition among international fans. She has consistently proven herself as a reliable anchor for her team.