Chinese singer and champion of the 2007 "Super Boy" talent show, Chen Chusheng, filed a lawsuit last Friday to unilaterally terminate his contract with management firm E.E Media, reported the Chongqing Economic Times.

Chen Chusheng may face penalty of up to ten million yuan, an insider was quoted as saying.

E.E Media hasn't made any response so far.

Chen Chusheng attended the live-broadcasted New Year concert of Hunan Satellite Television on December 31, 2008 and was scheduled to sing three songs as a highlight of the show. However, he left the studio half an hour before the concert started and never came back.

The singer was out of contact the following week, "staying with some good friends", he claimed. On January 7, he released a statement, saying "I will be responsible for my behaviour and will explain everything at the right time."

E.E Media made an announcement on January 8, warning it would defend its legal right.

The star-generating empire behind the phenomenally popular Super Girl and Super Boy singing competitions represents many contestant-turned-singers including pop idol Li Yuchun.

(CRI January 13, 2009)