SM will appeal against Hangeng contract termination

Hangeng [SM Entertainment]

Major talenthouse SM Entertainment has said they will file an appeal against a court's decision nullifying artist Hangeng's contract with them.

The move comes after the Seoul Central District Court today ruled in favor of the singer, declaring that all three contracts he signed with SM including the exclusive contract in January 2003, revised contract in February 2007 and supplementary contract in December 2007, are no longer valid.

"It is a decision we cannot accept. We will immediately file an appeal," an official at SM Entertainment told Asia Economic Daily over the phone.

Hangeng, who was the only Chinese member of 13-member K-pop sensation Super Junior, had filed a petition to court late last year, asking for his contract with SM to be invalidated.

At the time, his legal representative had explained that the singer had been restricted from pursuing individual activities and did not agree with how the agency works.

Hangeng, 26, debuted as a member of Super Junior in 2005 and had also been part of Super Junior-M -- a popular sub-unit of Super Junior which focuses their activities in the Chinese market.

However, he has ceased to work as a member of the group since filing a suit against SM and has reportedly continued his singing career in China, holding solo concerts and shooting television commercials.

Jessica Kim jesskim@