In a recent courtroom statement on May 24th, South Korean star Lee Seung-gi gave a heartfelt testimony during the second hearing of his legal battle against Hook Entertainment. Lee Seung-gi is contesting a lawsuit filed by Hook Entertainment, wherein the company claims there are no outstanding financial obligations to the artist.
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During the hearing at the Seoul Central District Court, Lee addressed the court, “I spent my formative professional years under the guidance of Hook Entertainment. Had they shown honesty in handling and informing me about my music royalties, our paths wouldn’t have diverged.“
“It’s a matter worth discussing, how an artist with a career spanning two decades was oblivious to his basic contractual rights. The journey to stardom wasn’t easy; CEO Kwon Jin-young subjected me to physical and verbal abuse, belittling my worth with comparisons to random individuals,” Lee Seung-gi recounted.
The artist continued, “Such mistreatment wasn’t an isolated incident; it was my reality for years, leaving my parents feeling guilty for entrusting my career to her. Furthermore, CEO Kwon’s influence extended into my family’s financial decisions, coercing them to terminate policies and pensions, to their detriment.”
Recalling the events of 2021, Lee revealed, “When questions about my royalty earnings arose, and I requested for an earning statement, CEO Kwon brushed it off, undermining my contributions as an artist. Even when I tried to handle my music affairs independently, she denied the existence of financial statements, leading to the current legal standoff.“
The dispute regarding Lee Seung-gi’s rightful earnings from his music and endorsements has been ongoing since 2022. While Lee contends that he had not received any revenue related to his music for 18 years post-debut, Hook Entertainment disputes this claim. The company has, however, transferred 5.4 billion won to Lee. Lee Seung-gi argues that there are additional dues related to advertisement settlements owed to him by Hook Entertainment.
FAQ about Lee Seung-gi’s Legal Dispute with Hook Entertainment
- What is the nature of the legal dispute between Lee Seung-gi and Hook Entertainment?
Lee Seung-gi is engaged in a legal battle with his former agency, Hook Entertainment, over unpaid music royalties and advertisement settlements. Hook filed a lawsuit claiming there are no unpaid debts, while Lee Seung-gi counters that he is owed more than what has been paid.
- How long did Lee Seung-gi allegedly not receive music-related revenue?
Lee Seung-gi claims he did not receive any music-related revenue for 18 years following his debut.
- How much has Hook Entertainment paid Lee Seung-gi?
Hook Entertainment has paid Lee Seung-gi a sum of 5.4 billion won.
- Did Lee Seung-gi face any abuse during his trainee days?
According to his testimony, Lee Seung-gi faced verbal and physical abuse from Hook Entertainment’s CEO, Kwon Jin-young, during his trainee days.
- What was the response from Hook Entertainment regarding the music royalties?
Hook Entertainment initially responded to Lee Seung-gi’s inquiries about royalties by denying their existence and later made a payment, but the exact amount owed is still a point of contention.
Conclusion
Lee Seung-gi’s revelations and legal struggle against Hook Entertainment serves as a prominent example of the potential discord between artists and their management companies. The court’s decision will hopefully bring resolution to the financial and emotional grievances expressed by Lee Seung-gi, and add a new chapter in the push for transparency and fairness within the entertainment industry.