On Oct 21st, a notice regarding the office relocation was posted on IU’s fan cafe. EDAM Entertainment stated, “Due to the relocation of our office, the address has changed, and we would like to inform you about the updated support application method.” They also specified the new address for fan letters and gifts, warning fans that mail sent to the old address would not be received.
According to posts circulating on online communities and IU’s fan cafe, IU herself was unaware of the agency’s relocation. Fans noticed that their fan letters were being returned and directly asked IU on her official fan cafe on Oct 20th if the agency had moved. IU responded, “Did they move without telling me? As far as I know, they haven’t moved.“
Following this, EDAM Entertainment was contacted by Sports Kyunghyang and asked whether IU was informed about the move. The agency replied, “We are currently verifying the facts.”
EDAM Entertainment currently manages only two artists: IU and WOODZ. Fans expressed frustration, questioning how an agency with only two artists could relocate without notifying them, and speculated that the agency likely mishandled other requests as well. This sentiment was reinforced when YouTuber Moon Sang-hoon, appearing on Netflix’s show “A-List to Playlist”, mentioned that he had sent numerous emails to EDAM trying to book IU. In response, IU immediately accepted the offer, “Were you trying to cast me? I’ll come on your show.”
Fan dissatisfaction with EDAM Entertainment has been building for some time. In April, a controversy arose when a fan was wrongly accused of reselling concert tickets illegally, causing them to miss the concert and leading to their permanent expulsion from the fan club. EDAM later issued an apology, stating, “We sincerely apologize if we caused discomfort to the fan involved and will work to resolve the issue amicably as soon as possible.“
Despite the apology, fans remained upset, which eventually led to truck protests outside the agency. Fans criticized EDAM, “When an issue arose regarding the handling of illegal ticket reports, the artist, who had nothing to do with the on-site operations, was pushed to the forefront and faced criticism. The agency only issued explanatory statements that worsened the situation.”
Meanwhile, IU signed an exclusive contract with EDAM Entertainment on Jan 6th, 2020. The agency was established by Bae Jong-han, who has worked with IU since her debut.