South Korean broadcaster JTBC has requested the suspension of its ongoing legal battle with the production company Studio C1 and its rival show, “Bulkkot Baseball.” The move, confirmed by StarNews, comes as the network faces a recent crisis of debt default, though it signals an intention to resume the litigation at a later date.
The request was submitted to the 61st Civil Division (Collegiate) of the Seoul Central District Court, where a lawsuit concerning copyright infringement and other claims against PD Jang Si-won and Studio C1 was in progress. Along with the request to pause the proceedings, JTBC filed a statement of opinion on the case’s development. The court subsequently heard from all parties and has postponed the next hearing, which had been scheduled for October 13, effectively halting the trial for now. Three hearings had already been held since the first in February.
The Roots of the Rivalry
The conflict stems from the popular entertainment baseball program “Ch’we-gang Ya-gu,” which translates to “Strongest Baseball.” The show, where retired professional baseball players form teams to compete, built a loyal following since its premiere in June 2022. The turning point came when Studio C1, the external production company, parted ways with JTBC following a dispute and launched “Bulkkot Baseball” with original cast members like Lee Dae-ho, Park Yong-taek, and Jung Geun-u.
In response, JTBC reorganized the program with a new cast and production team, returning in September of last year with a new season. As part of the reorganization, the network appointed Lee Jong-beom, then coach of the KT Wiz, as the new manager and changed the team name to the “Breakers.” However, the show experienced ups and downs in terms of audience ratings.
A Legal Battle Over Copyright and Competition
The legal dispute escalated in early 2025. JTBC alleged that Studio C1 had billed excessive production costs and failed to disclose financial records. Studio C1 countered that such billing was structurally impossible. JTBC filed a criminal complaint against Studio C1 and PD Jang Si-won, citing copyright and trademark law violations and embezzlement. The broadcaster also sought a preliminary injunction to halt the production and distribution of “Bulkkot Baseball,” citing copyright infringement and unfair competition.
In December 2025, the court ruled partially in JTBC’s favor, declaring that “the production and broadcasting of ‘Bulkkot Baseball,’ which includes content suggesting it is substantially the next season of ‘Ch’we-gang Ya-gu,’ constitutes an act of unfair competition” under the Law on Prevention of Unfair Competition. The injunction prohibited the production of “Bulkkot Baseball” and the disclosure of related content.
Studio Plans for Second Season
Studio C1 disputed some of the allegations but ultimately removed the main episodes from YouTube. However, the studio immediately announced its intent to force production of a second season, stating in an official YouTube video that the injunction was a “preliminary judgment on the audiovisual material of this season” and that they would perform “Season 2 of ‘Bulkkot Baseball’.”
JTBC responded with sharp criticism, accusing the studio of trying to “blur the nature of the illegal act” by changing the season designation to circumvent the court’s order. The network warned of immediate legal action for any new season of “Bulkkot Baseball,” stating, “Behaviors that evade the law, such as releasing consecutive episodes after the injunction, will be subject to strict legal judgment in the main trial.”
Olympic Broadcast Scheduling Conflict
Separate from its legal fight, JTBC made the decision to end its own baseball program after the episode aired on February 2. The network concluded the season to accommodate its exclusive broadcast rights in Korea for the “Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games,” which begin on February 6. This scheduling decision was made internally to conclude the season with the remaining broadcasts.
The timing of the lawsuit suspension is linked to JTBC’s recent crisis of debt default. While the legal action has been paused, it is anticipated that the network maintains its intention to resume it. The suspension of the litigation, as reported by StarNews, comes as JTBC handles its recent financial situation while maintaining its legal position against Studio C1.
What’s Next for the Legal Dispute
The court has yet to set a new date for the fourth hearing, leaving the future of the legal battle uncertain. JTBC’s stated intention to reinitiate the case suggests the conflict is merely on hold. Meanwhile, the status of both “Ch’we-gang Ya-gu” and the proposed “Bulkkot Baseball” Season 2 remains in limbo, pending further court rulings and the networks’ strategic decisions.
Court Ruling on Bulkkot Baseball
- Why did JTBC request to suspend the lawsuit?
- The request appears connected to JTBC’s recent crisis of debt default, though the network maintains its intention to resume the litigation at a later date.
- What was the court’s ruling on “Bulkkot Baseball”?
- In December 2025, the court ruled that “Bulkkot Baseball” constituted an act of unfair competition and issued an injunction prohibiting its production and distribution.
- Why did JTBC end its own baseball program?
- JTBC concluded its season to accommodate its exclusive broadcast rights for the 2026 Winter Olympic Games, which begin on February 6.
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