K-Pop Entertainment CEO Convicted Of Defrauding His Own Idols Is Trying To Debut New Groups
K-Pop idol hopefuls have many obstacles in the way of superstardom. The recent reality program Peak Time highlighted the difficulties stars could face while trying to remain in the entertainment industry, like winning team Vanner working part-time jobs to fund their careers.
@itaehwan vanner has worked so hard, they deserve this. pls support them on peaktime! team 11:00 | #peaktime #vanner #배너 #kpopfyp #kpop #kpoptiktok #nugu #vvs
Of all the things that could stand in an idol’s way, one of the most unfortunate is betrayal from the label that signed them — or, specifically, in the case of former Stardom Entertainment idols, your own CEO.
In 2009, musician Cho PD founded the label to manage his career before creating a new boy group. Several months after the initial announcement, boy group Block B debuted.
In 2013, Block B filed a lawsuit against the label, claiming not to have been paid for more than a year. While Block B successfully transferred their rights to a new agency, Stardom debuted another boy group, named Topp Dogg.
Topp Dogg originally debuted with thirteen members before several would file lawsuits to terminate their contracts. In 2016, leader P-Goon took to Twitter to demand that Cho PD explain where the group’s missing funds from their recent Japanese tour were.
At the time, Cho PD, who had signed a contract transferring all the assets of Stardom to Hunus Entertainment, was no longer involved with the group or the company. Hunus and Cho PD were actually involved in a lawsuit over other financial issues.
Ultimately, Hunus won the lawsuit, and Cho PD was sentenced to a two years suspended sentence.
Now, years after his sentencing, it seems Cho PD is attempting to debut more K-Pop groups.
Under his new label, ChoCo Entertainment, Cho PD has set out to create two new groups through a variety program titled ChoCo in Hollywood. According to the company’s Twitter account, the program will begin airing May 13.
[ChoCo] ChoCo's Reality Show "ChoCo in Hollywood" ✨
<First Episode Schedule>
🩵 5/12 pm 7 (KST) on M2 (Mnet Youtube channel)
🩵 5/13 am 11 (KST) on Mnet
🩵 5/14 pm 5 (KST) on MnetSee you soon 😎 pic.twitter.com/UrW3kBtglj
— ChoCo Official (@official_choco_) May 9, 2023
So far, two of the new groups’ “trainees” have been introduced as leaders of their respective groups.
[ChoCo2] #ChoCo_profile
Anpan 안판
2010.06.07
ChoCo2 Leader#Anpan #안판 #ChoCo #ChoCo2 pic.twitter.com/RTJBBmFs86— ChoCo Official (@official_choco_) May 4, 2023
Some netizens have already given their opinions on Cho PD’s activities and their disbelief at the members’ ages.
this child being a '10 is one thing… one major red flag. the other red flag is the ceo of this company being the same ceo who's been charged for fraud when it came down to topdogg stealing 200 thousand dollars from them. https://t.co/0AXYo3jbkU
— lien | center of jung mollusk hate club ♡ (@husbandzfan) May 9, 2023
these children should be in school what the actual fuck https://t.co/or55Q2gsQO
— ୨୧ deadlock: bray (@KYOMOROLL) May 9, 2023
this is a TWELVE YEAR OLD who Hasnt even gotten to highschool yet and u are making her THE LEADER OF A KPOP GROUP https://t.co/mAvHvgitvR
— cam !! (@iQuackbur) May 9, 2023
What do you think about Cho PD’s new ventures?