Girl Group GI (Global Icon) announced a comeback days before news broke of contract disputes from several of the members.

GI's entertainment company, Simtong Entertainment, announced the comeback on February 24, and GI's digital single "Echo" was released on February 25. However, the same day, news broke that member OneKet and Aram were in the middle of contract disputes with Simtong. Former member Hayeon left GI in 2014, after mutual agreement on both sides.

The Korea Herald reported that Aram and OneKet are in the midst of contract termination lawsuits with Simtong Entertainment, due to mismanagement and delays in promotional cycles.

Simtong Entertainment denied the claims, and stated that the two members breached their contracts, which in turn delayed the group's activities. The agency also stated that the contract issues are a dangers to a company of its small size, since Simtong invested millions of Korean Won into GI's activities.

Simtong Entertainment announced that it is looking to recruit new members to join Eunji and AI in GI. GI will be unable to promote "Echo" due to the contract dispute.

Despite the contract issues and line-up changes, Simtong Entertainment released "Echo" as a gift for fans who have supported GI since the group debuted. All of the group's original members can be heard singing on "Echo," as the song was recorded in 2014.

GI debuted originally with five members - AI, Aram, OneKet, Hayeon, and Eunji - in 2013 with the song, "Beatles." The group debuted with a boyish concept, announcing that they would counter the more feminine groups that perpetuate the K-pop industry.