The Boyz’s legal representative said on 21 that nine members filed a complaint accusing One Hundred Label CEO Cha Ga-won of embezzlement under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Economic Crimes. The complaint was filed by nine members, excluding member New, the representative said.
The conflict had already surfaced over the group’s exclusive contract. The Boyz signed with One Hundred in December 2024, and in February this year nine members filed for an injunction to suspend the validity of their exclusive contracts. At the time, the group said the agency had not paid settlements since July last year and had refused to allow access to materials needed to verify transparency in the accounting. One Hundred countered that it could not accept demands to terminate the contracts.
One Hundred rejected the new criminal allegation. Attorney Hyun Dong-yup, the agency’s legal representative, said the embezzlement claim against Cha was “groundless” and said the company had “faithfully carried out” its settlement obligations. He said the agency would respond by using “all legal means,” including a potential false-accusation charge, while adding that it still wants all 10 members to promote together.
In an additional statement, One Hundred also argued the complaint lacks a sufficient legal basis.
According to One Hundred, Yongsan Police Station asked to merge the case into an investigation being handled by Team 6 of Unit 1 of the Financial Crimes Investigation Division under the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency’s Major Crime Investigation Division, which is investigating Cha, but the investigative team declined.
Citing Hyun’s view, One Hundred said the refusal appeared to reflect that “the property’s belonging to another person” had not been recognized based solely on the complaint. The agency called the filing a “smear” complaint with “markedly weak” legal grounds.
One Hundred also disputed the accounting claims, saying accountant Kim Geon-young of accounting firm Hyun completed account analysis and an overall audit and confirmed there was no misuse of funds or embezzlement. The agency again said it would pursue legal action, including for false accusation, over what it called an unfounded criminal complaint.
One Hundred said the dispute has worsened in part because of how The Boyz’s legal representative has responded, alleging false information was provided to some members to encourage internal division. It also pointed to the first hearing on 20, saying the other side requested more than a week for an explanation period, and claimed the goal was to delay through a public-relations fight rather than resolve the matter. The agency said it has already paid members large signing bonuses and settlements, and that its settlement payment plan is transparently established.
Despite the legal battle, The Boyz plan to proceed with scheduled concerts. The group is set to hold a solo concert from 24 to 26 at KSPO Dome in Olympic Park in Seoul’s Songpa district.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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