Betty Wu Xuanyi, a former member of the South Korean girl group Cosmic Girls (WJSN), rose to fame after returning to her home country to participate in the Chinese survival show Produce 101 China. As an artist under Yuehua Entertainment, one of the three major idol management companies in China, she completed a contract lasting ten years.
Dispute Over Automatic Contract Renewal Clause
Recently, it was revealed that Wu Xuanyi has chosen not to renew her contract after it expired on February 24, 2026. Reports say that as early as February 6, Wu Xuanyi had submitted a written notice to the company stating her decision not to renew. She and her mother also met with company representatives to negotiate, but the talks failed, and her mother was allegedly forcibly removed from the office.
The company refused to terminate the partnership, citing an “automatic renewal clause” in the contract. Yuehua invoked the clause stating that if either party does not agree to terminate the contract upon expiration, it will automatically renew. Wu Xuanyi argues that it violates China’s Civil Code by depriving artists of the right to independently terminate agreements, making it an invalid standard clause. She also accused the company of failing to provide complete records of her performance and endorsement contracts over the past decade, preventing her from verifying work details and revenue-sharing arrangements, with all payments being determined solely by the company.
In response, Yuehua issued a statement denying any rough treatment of Wu Xuanyi’s mother as alleged online and insisted that there was no refusal to allow the artist access to her contracts.
Wu Xuanyi’s Mom in Leaked Video Engaging in Negotiations
Meanwhile, a video of Wu Xuanyi’s mother negotiating with the company started circulating online. Her mom reportedly returned in early April with a lawyer to communicate with the company’s legal staff, in which she claims she had never seen her daughter’s contracts over the ten years and was repeatedly denied access on the grounds that they were “confidential.” In the same clip, a Yuehua staff member can be heard saying, “She isn’t the only one who hasn’t seen them (the contracts), others haven’t seen it either.” It was also revealed that all Wu Xuanyi’s commercial contracts were signed by the company on her behalf, but the Yuehua staff countered that doing so fits into the purpose of having an agency. Wu Xuanyi’s mom further said, “We are two parties, cooperating, not us selling to you. Shouldn’t we get to see the contracts you sign?”
With the dispute shedding light on long-standing industry practices, many are now calling for greater transparency.
HL
There should be absolute transparency in any contract signing. And no one can be tired to lifetime slave contracts, Such practice are abusing people.
Banu
Chinese government should look into this, being a celebrity is a job who doesn’t saw or know their contract 🤔
It’s so shady and no one would accept this ridiculous claim ” if one of two parties don’t agree it’s automatically renewed” so funny if the artist causes a scandal they fire them with high fines, double standards much.
Yeahyeah
so unprofessional of the agency. the way they treat their artists astounds me!