NEED TO KNOW
- Ablume’s members Sio, Aran and Saena terminated their exclusive contract with former record label Attrakt in October 2023, leaving the K-pop girl group Fifty Fifty.
- They redebuted with the song “Echo” on May 9, 2025, featuring an accompanying music video.
- The members discuss the current state of their relationship with former groupmate Keena, their decision to work with controversial producer SIAHN and their new chapter.
The three members of Ablume are hoping to move on from the last two years.
On May 9, 2025, Sio, Aran, both 20, and Saena, 21, officially reintroduced themselves as Ablume with their debut single “Echo.” The song is filled with lush synths and harmonies reminiscent of their past work as the four-piece girl group Fifty Fifty, which they left following months of public legal disputes with their record label.
Saena tells PEOPLE via a translator that “Echo” incorporates their “personal stories” through “difficult times,” during which they bonded over their shared love for music. They hoped to “melt” that passion and their support for each other into the song.
In 2023, Sio, Aran, Saena and a fourth member, Keena, were on top of the world as K-pop group Fifty Fifty. Their single “Cupid” peaked in the top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 and stayed on the chart for 10 weeks, the longest run ever for a K-pop girl group.
Fifty Fifty’s success coincided with the blockbuster Barbie summer, and they recorded the song “Barbie Dreams” for the film’s star-studded soundtrack, which featured the likes of Charli xcx, Billie Eilish, Nicki Minaj and more.
At the peak of their fame, the four filed to suspend their contracts with their record label Attrakt in June 2023, alleging a failure to fulfill contractual obligations, such as a lack of financial transparency and medical neglect. According to local publication Korea JoongAng Daily, Seoul Central District Court dismissed the injunction in August 2023, and three members appealed the decision. Keena, 22, withdrew her lawsuit and returned to Attrakt.
“Regarding the legal issues, I think everybody had their own decisions and choices, and I believe that also applied to Keena,” Sio says via a translator.
As for their relationship with their former groupmate, Saena says, “At this moment we’re not keeping in touch with her. But we did hear that she’s continuing her career with the group, with the new members.”
Attrakt announced the termination of Sio, Saena and Aran’s exclusive contracts in October 2023. South Korean outlet Dispatch reported that Attrakt accused the girls of slandering and defaming the agency by “repeating arguments that have been rejected by the court.”
The ordeal left the Ablume members “mentally drained out,” Sio says.
“There was no way to really heal and get better,” Saena says, explaining that she coped by being “honest with her feelings” and facing the pain, sadness and anger head-on.
Still, Ablume stands by their decision to part with Attrakt. Although they can’t discuss ongoing legal matters, Sio says, “What we can for sure tell you is we were going through such a rough time, and the biggest issue was that we had was a lack of trust toward the agency.”
She continues, “We wanted to do music and continue our career in a [freer] environment with a more positive and healthy mindset and physical body.”
The group ignited further controversy when their new company, Massive E&C, revealed Ablume would be working with producer Ahn Sung-Il (also known as SIAHN). Ahn was the CEO of The Givers, the management company that Attrakt accused of conspiring to poach the Fifty Fifty members.
“A lot of our fans are concerned about working with producer SIAHN,” Sio recognizes. “But as we’ve mentioned through our statement and through our documentary series, all of those media and articles aren’t necessarily true. A lot of the stories are misled and even exaggerated.”
She continues, “It’s unfortunate that we can’t provide many details and provide answers that our fans are curious about. But one day, we’d like to make sure to clarify that once the opportunity comes.”
Aran praises SIAHN for his specific feedback on their music and his one-on-one sessions with each member to encourage their growth. She credits him with advocating for their active participation in the creative process to create a project that reflects their “unique style.”
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As Ablume looks forward to their new chapter, they seek to change their doubters’ minds with the quality of their art. And to their longtime fans, the members express gratitude for the continued support and patience.
“It was like going through a long dark tunnel,” Saena says of the tumultuous years. “They were like a single beam of light in that darkness.”
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