Former SM Entertainment Idol Sued By His Manager Over Millions In Unpaid Salary
Former SM Entertainment idol Park Yoochun has found himself at the center of a hefty lawsuit filed by his former manager. The Seoul Eastern District Court resumed the trial after a four-month hiatus, marking a significant progression in a case that delves deep into allegations of unpaid salaries and contract disputes.
The lawsuit, initiated by Mr. Kim, Park Yoochun’s ex-manager, alleges that the singer and actor breached their exclusive contract, resulting in Mr. Kim not receiving his agreed salary of approximately ₩600 million KRW (about $455,000 USD) over a six-year period.
The dispute traces back to their collaboration days, stretching from Mr. Kim’s tenure as Park’s manager during his JYJ period through to their venture into establishing Riciel — a one-man agency designed to navigate Park’s career amidst a swirl of controversies, including those related to drug allegations.
The core of the legal problems lies in the following year’s conflict when accusations flew regarding improper settlements. Park Yoochun accused Riciel of failing to correctly distribute profits — whereas Riciel retorted, blaming Park for engaging in a double contract with a Japanese agency.
Further lawsuit details claim that despite being promised the CEO position at Riciel with an annual salary of ₩100 million KRW (about $75,900 USD), Mr. Kim alleges that from March 1, 2021, to December 31, 2026, he was not paid the agreed-upon salary due to an unjust termination of their exclusive contract, leading to a loss of ₩570 million KRW (about $432,000 USD).
Despite the gravity of these allegations, Park Yoochun has yet to publicly respond to the claims made against him. The legal proceedings took a notable turn when Park Yoochun did not appear in court on the last argument date, underscoring the tension surrounding the case.
As the lawsuit progresses, with the next hearing scheduled for March 27 at the Seoul Eastern District Court, all eyes are on how this legal drama will unfold, impacting the reputations and finances of those involved.
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