Lee Seung Gi expresses disdain after Hook Entertainment denies withholding money

Singer Lee Seung Gi [HOOK ENTERTAINMENT]

Singer Lee Seung Gi expressed deep regret over the agency’s Hook Entertainment’s denial of the allegation that the singer was not paid for the song, and said it would be “pointless” to further extend the conversation with the agency.

In a statement issued Monday by Lee’s legal representatives, law firm Bae Kim & Lee (BKL) and Bestway, Lee said the agency’s arguments in a statement issued last Friday were untrue, claiming that the The singer never received any digital streaming or download fees for his songs.

“The clear facts are that Hook Entertainment intentionally concealed from Lee Seung Gi that digital streaming and downloads were profitable and did not make proper payments,” the statement read.

“The agency finally began providing records of payments to the singer in 2018, but nothing related to digital streams and downloads.”

Li has been a popular singer since his debut in 2004.

Hook Entertainment issued a statement last week saying that as early as 2021 when the two parties renewed their contracts, they “checked the details of the settlement” and even “wrote a confirmation of the agreement.”

However, Li’s legal representative made it clear that the details of the settlement were not about Li’s song fees, but Li’s investment in the brokerage company’s purchase of the building. Lee invested 4.7 billion won ($3.5 million) in the acquisition.

“Hook Entertainment received 4.7 billion won from Lee for the purchase of buildings in 2011, but the agency’s CEO, Kwon Jin-young, did not keep any commitments related to the investment,” Lee’s legal representative said in a statement. stated in the statement.

“Since Li said he would not renew his contract, the agency said it would treat the money as a loan rather than an investment, and wrote an agreement to remove Li as an investor.”

Li’s legal representatives questioned the agency on how the singer would agree on payment if he didn’t know he could profit from digital streaming and downloading of his songs.

During his 18-year career, Lee wrote a total of 137 songs, many of which are still widely known today.

Hook Entertainment came under fire last week after screenshots of recordings and chats surfaced online, claiming that the agency has never financially compensated Lee Seung Gi for his songs and has continued to cheer him on throughout his 18-year career.

Zhao Zhengyu [cho.jungwoo1@joongang.co.kr]