Singer and Actor Lee Seung Gi Triumphs in Court as Judge Orders Former Agency Hook Entertainment to Pay Him 581 Million KRW (Around $403,000) in Settlement Dispute
Lee Seung Gi achieved a legal victory against his former agency, Hook Entertainment, now Chorokbaement Entertainment, securing a court order for substantial unpaid settlement fees. The Seoul Central District Court ruled in favor of Lee Seung Gi, demanding the agency pay him 581 million KRW (about $403,000).
Court Ruling and Financial Details
The court’s decision mandated that Chorokbaement Entertainment pay Lee Seung Gi the specified amount. Furthermore, the court rejected all additional fee and return claims made by Chorokbaement Entertainment. The costs associated with the lawsuit were ordered to be split equally between both parties.
This ruling stems from Lee Seung Gi’s initial lawsuit against former Hook CEO Kwon Jin Yeong and other executives. He claimed he had not received proper earnings from 137 songs released since 2004. Lee Seung Gi filed charges for breach of trust and fraud under the Specific Economic Crimes Act.
Hook Entertainment had previously paid Lee Seung Gi 540 million KRW (about $374,000). This included prior payments, unpaid fees, and delayed interest. However, Hook then filed a lawsuit asserting they had paid an additional 410 million KRW (about $283,950), claiming no remaining debt.
Lee Seung Gi’s legal team countered this by stating that his total music revenue was approximately 9.6 billion KRW (about $6,648,340), indicating the settlement was incomplete.
Lee Seung Gi’s Court Appearance and Agency Changes
Lee Seung Gi personally attended a court session on November 15, 2023. He expressed his concerns about the case. “As we near the conclusion of the trial, there have been numerous misleading documents filed that are full of untruths. I plead with the court to ensure that junior artists who start their careers with dreams are not suffering from unfair settlements,” he stated.
The verdict, initially set for January 17, was delayed and resumed on March 7. During the lawsuit, Hook Entertainment changed its name to Chorokbaement Entertainment. This change came after Q Capital Partners, a private equity firm, acquired its parent company. Chorokbaement Entertainment has since undergone a restructuring, including replacing its executive team, to improve operations and increase growth.
