Lee Seung-gi and his former agency Hook Entertainment have closed their long-running settlement dispute, with both sides withdrawing their appeals against a first-instance ruling that ordered the agency to pay about 690 million won.
Yonhap News TV reported on October 29 that Lee’s side submitted its appeal withdrawal ahead of the appellate hearing. Lee’s side said he and Chorokbaem Media, Hook’s current name, recently met and reached the decision through amicable talks. Star News reported both sides filed withdrawal notices through their lawyers, meaning the ruling should become final without a separate appeal trial.
The Seoul Central District Court’s 20th Civil Division ruled partly in Lee’s favor on August 28, ordering Hook Entertainment to pay about 690 million won out of the approximately 829.9 million won Lee had claimed. Lee had sought 70 percent of revenue generated through August 2024, when the contract expired, and 50 percent of revenue generated afterward. The court instead recognized rates of 60 percent and 40 percent, reflecting industry practice, under which settlement ratios fall after a contract ends.
The court rejected Hook Entertainment’s argument that post-contract revenue could only be settled under a separate agreement. It held that the obligation to settle remained even without such an agreement, reasoning that a party that failed to perform should not gain more than it would have by complying, contrary to good faith and fairness.
The dispute became public in November 2022, when Lee sent Hook a certified letter saying he had not properly received music royalties since his debut. His exclusive contract ended the following month. Hook Entertainment later paid about 5.4 billion won on its own calculations and sought confirmation it owed nothing further, while Lee counterclaimed. A separate April 2025 ruling ordered about 580 million won more in advertising-related commissions, and became final after neither side appealed.
Lee filed the current lawsuit in February, arguing Hook Entertainment kept earning from his music and album sales after his December 2022 contract ended and owed him a share. Hook Entertainment appealed the August ruling first, and Lee filed his own appeal on October 8. With both appeals withdrawn, the August ruling is expected to stand. Coverage also noted a separate settlement conflict with Big Planet Made Entertainment, the agency Lee joined after Hook, but no further comment on payment timing was reported.
