Singer Lee Seung Gi notifies Hook Entertainment of termination of contract

Singer Lee Seung Gi [HOOK ENTERTAINMENT]

Singer Lee Seung Gi notified Hook Entertainment that their exclusive contract had been terminated after the agency admitted failing to pay the singer enough, local news outlets reported on Thursday.

Last month, the singer asked his agency, Hook Entertainment, to fully disclose his payment history. Li has been a popular singer since his debut in 2004, releasing a total of 137 songs over the past 18 years, but claims he has not received any digital streaming or song download fees.

In an official legal document sent to Hook last month, Lee asked Hook to disclose financial records related to his compilation of 27 albums and 137 songs.

Hook Entertainment initially denied allegations that it withheld payments to Lee, but according to industry sources, the agency responded to Lee’s filing by acknowledging that Lee had not been properly compensated for the streaming of his songs. In response, Lee announced that their exclusive contract had been cancelled, citing Hook’s violation of their terms and conditions.

Hook Entertainment CEO Kwon Jin-young is currently facing charges of misappropriating and abusing the company’s credit card. Kwon released an official statement on Wednesday, but made no mention of the embezzlement allegations.

“I will take full responsibility for the dispute regarding Lee Seung Gi,” she wrote. “I will not shirk my responsibilities and use my personal funds to solve the problem.”

The facility is currently under police investigation and was searched and seized on 10 November. The allegations have not been made public.

haley ann [yang.hyunjoo@joongang.co.kr]