[Exclusive]Did they reach a settlement with former agency… "Pay over 690 million won" — Lee Seung-gi withdraws appeal

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The lawsuit filed by singer and actor Lee Seung-gi against his former agency, Hook Entertainment (now Chorokbam Media), over settlement payments is expected to conclude as both parties have withdrawn their appeals.

According to StarNews's verification, Lee Seung-gi and Hook Entertainment each submitted appeal withdrawal documents through their legal representatives on the 29th, ahead of the appellate hearing in the settlement payment lawsuit involving approximately 139 million won.

Previously, the Civil Division 20 of the Seoul Central District Court ruled in favor of the plaintiff in part in the first-instance trial of Lee Seung-gi's lawsuit seeking over 829.9 million won in settlement payments from Hook Entertainment on August 28, stating that "Hook Entertainment must pay approximately 690 million won out of the approximately 830 million won claimed by Lee Seung-gi." Subsequently, Hook Entertainment filed an appeal against the first-instance ruling in the settlement payment lawsuit brought by Lee Seung-gi. Later, on the 8th, Lee Seung-gi also appealed, and the trial was scheduled to resume, with the amount in dispute decreasing accordingly.

Lee Seung-gi filed a lawsuit in February of this year, arguing that Hook Entertainment had continued to earn revenue from music streaming and album sales even after the termination of his exclusive contract in December 2022, and demanding a distribution of those earnings. In response, Hook Entertainment argued that even if certain revenues were acquired after the end of the exclusive contract, an obligation to settle payments would only arise with a separate agreement.

However, the court sided with Lee Seung-gi, pointing out that "even without a separate settlement agreement, the obligation to make settlements must be borne. It is contrary to the principle of good faith and equity for the party who breached the contract to acquire more benefits than in cases where the contract was adhered to."

Nevertheless, not all of Lee Seung-gi's side's demands regarding the settlement ratio were accepted. Lee Seung-gi's side had requested 70% of revenue generated up until the contract expiration date of August 2024, and 50% of revenue thereafter. Considering industry practices such as the settlement ratio being lower after contract termination than during the contract period, the court recognized 60% and 40%, respectively.

Lee Seung-gi sent a certified letter in November 2022, stating that he had not received any settlement of music usage fees from Hook Entertainment since his debut. Subsequently, Hook Entertainment filed a lawsuit seeking confirmation of non-existence of debt after paying approximately 5.4 billion won in settlement payments calculated by itself, and Lee Seung-gi countered with a cross-claim.

Later, in April 2025, the court ruled that "Hook Entertainment must additionally pay Lee Seung-gi approximately 580 million won in advertising commissions," and the ruling became final as neither party appealed.

Meanwhile, Lee Seung-gi is also in conflict with Big Planet Made Ent., the agency he joined after Hook Entertainment, over settlement issues.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original