Hook Entertainment denies accusations it withheld money from Lee Seung Gi

Lee Seung Gi [YONHAP]

Hook Entertainment on Friday denied singer Lee Seung Gi’s allegations that he has not been paid for any songs since his 2004 debut.

“We regret to inform you that during the process of sorting out Li’s payment records, the media has disseminated unverified information at the request of Li’s legal representative,” the agency said in a statement.

The agency said that as early as 2021, when the contract was renewed, the two parties “checked the settlement details” and even “wrote an agreement to confirm it.”

“However, Lee has questioned the matter again, which is why Hook Entertainment is closely reviewing the payment settlement details.”

The agency made it clear that allegations that it never paid Lee for digital streaming or downloads of his songs and forced him to sign unfair contracts were “untrue.”

Hook Entertainment executive, singer Lee Sun-hee, has also been implicated in the allegations, although the agency denies she has anything to do with managing Lee Seung-ki.

“Out of respect, Lee Sun-hee has registered as an executive of Hook Entertainment, as she is an artist who has been with us from the beginning,” the agency said. “However, from 2006 to 2021, CEO Kwon Jin-young acquired 100% of the company’s shares, while Lee Sun-hee did not participate in any company management.”

Hook Entertainment came under fire on Monday after screenshots of recordings and chats surfaced online, claiming the agency had never provided Lee Seung Gi with financial compensation for his songs and had continued to cheer him on throughout his 18-year career.

Shin Min Hee [shin.minhee@joongang.co.kr]