Taemin, EXO-CBX, THE BOYZ Reportedly At Risk Of Being Unable To Promote

Artists under the same-root music labels as SHINee‘s Taemin, EXO-CBX and THE BOYZ are reportedly at risk of being unable to carry out activities smoothly. Multiple companies that collaborated with them have not received payment, and some are reportedly suffering financial hardship and severe mental distress. At the center of the issue is one person, their CEO Cha Ga Won.

According to reporting by The Fact on January 5, Cha Ga Won, who leads One Hundred, Big Planet Made Entertainment, and INB100, has failed to pay numerous companies essential to artists’ activities, including album production, content production, hair and makeup, and marketing firms. It was also reported that even stage set production fees for music programs featuring his artists remain unpaid.

One individual who worked with Cha’s company complained of hardship was allegedly unpaid funds from Cha’s company.

“I did nothing wrong, but I’ve become a debtor. I’ve turned into a liar to the people who trusted me. After months of mental breakdown, I realized my bank account had been frozen due to unpaid health insurance premiums. I have a child, and I had to block each crisis one by one — I sold my car and even took out loans.” The reason for this hardship was allegedly unpaid funds from Cha’s company.

Cha reportedly failed to pay tens of billions of KRW in total to various vendors, including printing companies essential for physical album production, as well as production, marketing, and hair and makeup firms. As a result, artists under his labels are unable to release physical albums. Even when digital singles are released, proper promotions and activities become difficult without financial support.

In fact, after The Boyz’s 10th mini album in July last year, VIVIZ’s first full-length album, and Chen’s fifth mini album in September, no artists under One Hundred, Big Planet Made, or INB100 have released physical albums for five months. Since then, Taemin, THE BOYZ, BADVILLAIN, Baekhyun, Xiumin, and Lee Seung Gi have only released digital singles.

While these choices could have been strategic or artistic, it coincides with the period during which Cha was reportedly being pressed by multiple vendors for unpaid balances. The Fact confirmed unpaid balances owed to over a dozen companies. Some actively reported damages, while others confirmed the situation more cautiously. Many were hesitant to go public, fearing reputational harm within the industry.

The unpaid amounts reportedly began accumulating in the second half of last year, intensified around September, and total tens of billions of KRW. Some vendors have already sent formal notices, and others are preparing lawsuits. Specific company names and amounts are being withheld to avoid secondary harm.

“Outstanding payments occasionally happen in this industry. But usually, when the next project begins, the previous balance is settled. In this case, unpaid amounts kept accumulating. Everyone in the industry knows the situation — would any company willingly continue working under those conditions? I’ve even heard it’s difficult for them to pay album printing royalties.”

Cha has also been sued under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Economic Crimes for alleged fraud and reportedly has failed to properly settle earnings owed to his own artists. Meanwhile, unpaid balances to vendors continue to pile up. The scope of unpaid debts reportedly includes even broadcasting stations. When artists appear on music programs, agencies must pay for stage set production. Cha allegedly failed to pay set production fees for appearances on MBC’s Show!, Music Core and Mnet’s M Countdown, with unpaid amounts accumulating since the second half of last year. If unresolved, it could affect future appearances of his artists.

An industry source explained that while small companies occasionally struggle with temporary set fee payments, it is highly unusual for a large agency with multiple artists to consistently fail to pay, as it could disrupt other artists’ activities.

Furthermore, production teams coordinate closely with agencies regarding stage sets. If payments do not arrive, PDs are informed, who then must address it with the agency. Under such circumstances, questions arise as to whether broadcasters would continue allowing artists from the agency to appear.

The labels also have strained relationships with KBS and SBS. Previously, when Xiumin’s appearance on KBS2’s Music Bank fell through, Cha’s side claimed external pressure, and affiliated artists briefly boycotted the broadcaster’s programs before retracting. SBS reportedly also experienced conflict when Baekhyun’s name was omitted from a comeback VCR lineup on Inkigayo.

Although relations with KBS improved, tensions may rise again due to unpaid balances — including costs related to BADVILLAIN’s appearance on KBS’s YouTube program Idol Human Theater in September.

Music programs serve as a crucial avenue for artists to meet and communicate with fans. Yet opportunities have reportedly already been limited, and if additional music shows become inaccessible, it could significantly impact both artists and fans.

Cha reportedly secured hundreds of billions of KRW using artists’ intellectual property, while artists continue earning through concerts, broadcasts, and events. However, essential payments remain unpaid. Where the funds have been allocated remains unclear.

Reports indicate that Cha’s companies are in a state of capital impairment due to irregular management. Cha herself has reportedly faced tax delinquency, leading to the seizure of her villa by the National Tax Service.