Following allegations by Hook Entertainment of embezzling advertising fees for Lee Seung Gi and other actors, the agency issued a press release to refute the accusations.
Lee Seung Gi has officially filed a lawsuit against his former agency, Hook Entertainment. Recently, allegations arose that the agency led by CEO Kwon Jin Young was embezzling payments for the actor's advertisements.
On Friday (23/12), Hook Entertainment held a press release to strongly deny the new accusations from Lee Seung Gi's side. The agency also apologized for the "Mouse" star's music royalties.
"Rumors that Hook cheated some of the money to be paid to his celebrities are untrue," revealed Hook Entertainment.
The agency then continued, "Even if it was unintentional, we would like to sincerely apologize for Lee Seung Gi's music royalty situation and the injury he will receive. However, we can no longer ignore the act of provoking public opinion, which even influences other celebrities, through the fact unconfirmed sort of thing."
Hook Entertainment objected to misleading news. They suspected a former employee was spreading false information as if it were true.
"We are deeply uncomfortable seeing this article published without giving us an opportunity to refute these one-sided claims and misleading reports from former Hook employees who indiscriminately leaked and shared company secrets as if they were true," they said.
The agency admitted that it had not cut any costs in the profit-sharing process with Lee Seung Gi since 2015.
"Although agency fees are supposed to be deducted and profits will be distributed under the terms of our exclusive contract, Hook has not deducted any agency fees in the process of profit sharing with Lee Seung Gi since 2015," added Hook Entertainment.
In addition, the agency claims to have submitted information regarding the funds that must be returned. Hook Entertainment has also prepared a claim against Lee Seung Gi in court.
"We have notified Lee Seung Gi of the need to return to us the unfair profits from the portion of the overpayment of the actual amount due at the time of fiscal calculations, and we are also preparing a claim for the return of unfair profits," concluded Hook Entertainment.
Meanwhile, Lee Seung Gi's legal representative announced that he has filed a lawsuit against Hook Entertainment. Since then, there have been allegations that the agency not only defrauded Lee Seung Gi but also other actors' advertising fees. As is known, the agency also oversees Youn Yuh Jung, Lee Seo Jin to Park Min Young. (wk/inta)
