A growing legal battle between singer-actor Lee Seung-gi and Cha Ga-won has escalated, with both sides publicly presenting conflicting accounts regarding a luxury jeonse housing arrangement and the termination of Lee’s exclusive contract. The dispute has become one of the most talked-about controversies in the Korean entertainment industry, particularly as it unfolds amid reports of financial difficulties and wage payment issues at ONE HUNDRED Label.

On June 11, attorney Hyun Dong-yup, legal representative for Cha Ga-won, addressed the controversy through his YouTube channel. During the broadcast, he discussed a luxury villa unit in Hannam-dong, Seoul, known as La Nuvo, which has become a central point of contention between the two parties.

According to Hyun Dong-yup, one unit in the property is owned by Cha Ga-won and his spouse, while another was reportedly provided to Baekhyun through a jeonse arrangement as part of his exclusive contract benefits. The attorney claimed that Lee Seung-gi had requested a similar arrangement during negotiations with the agency. “Lee Seung-gi asked to be treated like Baekhyun,” Hyun Dong-yup alleged.

To support his argument, Hyun Dong-yup publicly disclosed portions of KakaoTalk conversations allegedly exchanged between Lee Seung-gi and Cha Ga-won. The messages reportedly included statements from Lee expressing gratitude for being able to move into the luxury residence and mentioning that living near other agency artists provided a sense of stability.

Cha Ga-wwon’s side argued that these messages contradict Lee Seung-gi’s recent claims regarding the housing arrangement. The attorney further asserted that documents related to Lee’s exclusive contract included agreements involving luxury real estate benefits and that the housing arrangement was discussed as part of broader compensation negotiations.

One of the most serious aspects of the dispute centers on Lee Seung-gi’s allegations regarding the jeonse contract. Hyun Dong-yup strongly rejected suggestions that the arrangement constituted a form of housing fraud.

According to Cha Ga-wwon’s side, the property was worth significantly more than the amount Lee Seung-gi paid under the jeonse agreement. The attorney argued that providing access to a luxury residence under favorable terms should not be characterized as fraudulent conduct. He further claimed that Cha Ga-won acquired the property at a premium price in order to provide housing support for Lee Seung-gi.

In one of the most controversial remarks from the broadcast, Hyun Dong-yup argued that the issue should be viewed as an exclusive contract dispute rather than a housing scam. He alleged that Lee Seung-gi was attempting to use fraud accusations as grounds to terminate his contract and leave the company during a period of financial instability. “This is not jeonse fraud. It’s exclusive contract fraud,” he claimed.

The attorney also suggested that Cha Ga-won had invested in Lee Seung-gi’s future value despite public criticism surrounding the entertainer’s image at the time. Lee Seung-gi’s representatives quickly rejected the allegations.

In a statement, they accused Cha Ga-won’s side of repeatedly spreading false claims and distorting the core issues involved in the dispute. The actor’s legal team maintained that the termination of his exclusive contract stemmed from unpaid settlements rather than any housing-related matter. They further alleged that management fees connected to the property had not been handled according to prior agreements and claimed that Lee Seung-gi personally paid outstanding expenses. The statement also asserted that Lee Seung-gi had used his own funds to cover unpaid wages owed to staff members.

The dispute comes as ONE HUNDRED Label faces increasing scrutiny over alleged financial difficulties. Reports indicate that multiple complaints related to unpaid wages have been filed by employees, while several artists have reportedly moved to terminate their contracts with the company. The situation has also drawn the attention of the Ministry of Employment and Labor, which is said to be conducting investigations into wage payment issues involving ONE HUNDRED Label and affiliated companies.

With both sides presenting sharply different versions of events, the dispute shows no signs of ending soon. While Cha Ga-won’s representatives insist that Lee Seung-gi willingly accepted the housing arrangement and is now attempting to justify his departure from the agency, Lee Seung-gi’s side argues that the controversy stems from unpaid settlements, wage issues, and alleged misconduct by company management.

As investigations continue and legal proceedings potentially move forward, the final outcome may ultimately depend on what evidence emerges through official authorities rather than competing public statements.

Sources: 네이트 뉴스