Why Did The Boyz File a Lawsuit Against One Hundred CEO Cha Ga Won?

The K-pop industry is no stranger to legal conflicts and ongoing controversial debates. Among the latest conflicts, the case between “The Boyz” and their agency and its CEO (Cha Ga Won) seems to be escalating rather than closing the gaps. All nine members of The Boyz filed a criminal case against Cha Gawon on charges of embezzlement. Once again, the K-pop industry has shaken as what initially seemed to be a contract dispute transformed into a serious legal case, including unpaid earnings, breach of trust, and financial crimes. To know what exactly happened, let’s dive into the article.

Unpaid Earnings: The Core Reason Behind The Lawsuit

On April 21, 2026, news broke out through a Korean outlet, which reported that all the members of The Boyz, namely, Sangyeon, Jacob, Hyunjae, Younghoon, Junyeon, Kevin, Q, Eric, and Sunwoo, filed a legal complaint against their agency. ONE HUNDRED and its CEO, Ms. Cha Ga Won.

The complaint alleged them for violation of the Act on the Aggravated Punishment, etc. of specific economic crimes (embezzlement); before this, the nine members asked for their contract termination with the agency, as it failed to pay their earnings since mid-2025. Many staff and the agency’s external partners have also issued a similar statement, claiming they have also been unpaid for several months.

What Added Fuel To The Fire: Lack Of Transparency 

The idols asked for settlement statements while demanding contract documents, but faced a lack of transparency as the agency denied their access to financial documents without giving a single valid justification. As per reports from Sports Kyunghyang, the group’s legal representative filed a lawsuit against ONE HUNDRED Label and the CEO for embezzlement.

The Boyz stated, “Since the second quarter of 2025, the agency has failed to pay proper settlement fees for all activities from July 2025. Despite repeated requests by the artists to review basic documents like contracts to ensure transparency in settlements, the agency unjustly refused, abandoning its fundamental and essential obligations under the exclusive contract.”

“Recent media reports revealed that the agency received hundreds of billions of Korean won in advance payments based on the artists’ entertainment activities. However, the agency has not provided any responsible explanation or satisfactory clarification regarding the current situation where settlement fees remain unpaid to the artists,” they added.

Due to this, the police conducted an investigation and seized Cha Ga Won’s Company on April 3. The agency first claimed that their payment was merely delayed and would be completed; soon after, they changed their statement, arguing they had already paid the artists.

For You: Wasuta Announces Disbandment after 11 Years

ONE HUNDRED claimed, “We will never compromise with unjust acts that incite artists to attack the company, and we will fight to the end to reveal the truth in the court and to protect our company’s honor and the artists.”  After the first hearing for the “Suspension of exclusive contract effect,” the legal conflict was extended. One of the members of The Boyz New decided to stay away from the matter and perform in the musical “Romeo and Juliet” under the agency.

ONE HUNDRED’s Response: Are the Allegations Groundless?

No conclusion was drawn after the first hearing in the court. After the agency was facing backlash, their lawyer, Hyun Dong-yeop, confronted them, clarifying, “The embezzlement allegations raised by The Boyz are false. We have completed an account analysis and overall audit through an accounting firm, and it has been clearly confirmed that no funds were misappropriated or embezzled.”

He added, “We have faithfully fulfilled our settlement obligations. We have already paid high advance fees (signing bonuses) and settlement fees, and our settlement payment plan is transparently established. They are providing malicious, false information to some members, severely damaging the trust between the artists and the company. Although they initially applied for a provisional injunction citing urgent concert schedules, they later requested a hearing period after the concerts had concluded. Their goal appears to be delaying tactics through media play.”

After this, at the end of April, the agency posted an article stating “settlements completed,” to which Seonu wrote “?X,” highlighting it with a red circle, implying the settlements are not completed yet. Younghoon and Kelvin shared the post, while J-Hope claimed directly, “We have not received anything.” Their lawyer, Kim, announced, “We clearly inform you that we have not received any funds, including unpaid settlements for the third and fourth quarters of 2025, to this day. 

Even before the provisional injunction application, the payment deadlines were repeatedly postponed and reversed, but normal payments were never made.” Further, he stated, “It is deeply regrettable that a false official statement claiming ‘settlements completed’ was released while no settlement payments were made. 

The agency must immediately stop distorting public opinion based on false information and repeating groundless accusations against the artists and their legal representatives. If such actions continue, the artists will respond strictly, including all possible civil and criminal measures.”

For You: Jo In Sung and IVE’s Wonyoung Dating Rumours

What Happened Next?

Next, the company exclaimed, “Because of the artists’ legal representatives’ malicious media play and the false embezzlement complaint against our CEO, we were concerned that we might not be able to recover the large advance payment already made.” 

It added, “If they acknowledge receiving the advance payment on the premise of maintaining the exclusive contracts, we will immediately pay the secured settlement funds. We deeply regret that they are claiming they have received nothing and that no settlement has been made, even after receiving tens of billions of won in contract fees and the settlement for the first half of 2025. We will reveal all the truth clearly in court and respond to the end to protect our reputation.”

The Boyz’ lawyer reacted. “If we do not seek repayment of the exclusive contract fee (advance payment), we are willing to mutually and amicably terminate the agreement and let The Boyz continue their activities normally, and under that premise, we are willing to give up the unpaid settlements so far.” The group also revealed ONE HUNDRED failed to settle service fees of approximately ₩5.50 billion KRW (about $3.75 million USD) with external companies.

To conclude, if in the end the group agrees to acknowledge receiving the exclusive contract fee (advanced payment), they can receive the secured settlement funds immediately. 

For You: K-pop Girl Group Dodree Slammed For Being “Different”

Netizens are sharing the following comments online:

• This is going to end up being a long-term fight…it always turns out to be a scam if you show off too much.”

• “They’re not even paying their employees? That is making me so mad.”

• “Stop being messy until the end and let them go…”

• “Such a trash agency…”

• “Why are they making it only hard for THE BOYZ to terminate their contracts?”

Timeline Of Events

February 2026: Members sent a termination notice, which was denied.

March 2026: Public announcement of dispute.

April 2026: A lawsuit was filed against the CEO and the agency.

For You: Bang Chan’s Comment About Industry Pressure Sparks Major Debate

Final Thoughts on The Boyz Lawsuit

The lawsuit filed by The Boyz is not a result of one single happening, but it surrounds multiple events, like unpaid earnings since mid-2025, lack of financial transparency, fraud and embezzlement investigations, alleged misuse of funds, and the eventual breakdown of trust for the agency. It has not only parted ways between the group members and the agency but also questioned the agency’s reputation as well. Fans are defending the members and supporting them digitally as they can. No official announcement has been made by the court yet; the legal dispute between both sides has not ended and is sparking major discussions as new statements continue to be published by both the members and the agency.

Frequently Asked Questions