From Bang Si‑hyuk to Yang Hyun‑suk: Major K‑pop agencies & scandals involving their leaders

K-pop isn't only about the idols fans like; it's also about the powerful agencies that shape careers and create worldwide stars. While superstars get all the attention, the actual drama typically takes place behind the scenes. From internal tensions to major criminal charges, some agency chiefs have found themselves at the heart of controversy, with effects that can be felt by the artists themselves. Here's an overview of the top K-pop companies and the scandals that have engulfed its CEOs.



Bang Si-hyuk, founder and chairman, of the global conglomerate is currently under criminal investigation by South Korea's Financial Supervisory Service. He has been accused of fraudulent securities trading involving secret shareholder agreements worth approximately ₩400 billion (~$290 million) just before HYBE's 2020 IPO. The Financial Services Commission formally referred him to prosecutors.
The company has also faced internal turmoil, most notably a public and legal conflict with Min Hee-jin, the former CEO of ADOR (a HYBE subsidiary), over creative control and alleged mistreatment of NewJeans members. This ongoing feud has further tarnished the company's leadership image.



Yang Hyun-suk, YG's founder and previous CEO, resigned in 2019 after various controversies involving drug-related claims against his musicians. His most significant legal struggle ended in 2023, when he was convicted of coercing a trainee to recant their testimony in a drug case.

In 2025, South Korea's Supreme Court upheld the 6-month suspended prison term, dealing a last legal and reputational blow to the agency's legacy.



Lee Soo-man, SM's founder and former executive producer, has been embroiled in numerous financial and ethical scandals over the years. He formally left as chief producer in 2023, but has since founded A2O Entertainment, which focuses on global talent development.

Nonetheless, his scandals continue to haunt him. He was convicted of embezzlement and stock manipulation in the early 2000s, but was later pardoned by the president. He was also accused of funneling billions of won to his private company, Like Planning, which raised severe conflicts of interest problems.

Lee was identified in the Pandora Papers for allegedly diverting international revenues through offshore shell businesses such as CT Planning Ltd. In 2023, he became the focal point of a power struggle between Kakao and SM's management during the company's restructuring and ownership dispute.



Park Jin-young (JYP), the company's founder and creative director, has mainly avoided legal controversies, but he has experienced controversy. In 2011, he faced a plagiarism case for the song "Someday," which was first declared in favor of the plaintiff. The Supreme Court overturned the verdict in 2015, citing a lack of significant musical similarities. He also faced allegations of involvement with the Salvation Sect in the Sewol ferry disaster, which he openly refuted.

Not only that, but he was criticized by artists such as Sunmi (former Wonder Girls) for wielding excessive creative control and restricting artistic expression. Rumours circulated in 2014 that he attempted to sell JYP Entertainment to YG, however both firms refuted this.



CEO Jeon Hong-joon made news in 2023 when girl group FIFTY FIFTY sought an injunction to suspend their exclusive contracts, charging financial mismanagement and medical malpractice. The court finally found in favor of Attrakt, prompting Jeon to cancel the members' contracts and file criminal and civil cases against the idols and their production business for alleged fraud and poaching.

Member Keena eventually dropped her complaint and reconnected with the agency. Since then, Attrakt has reorganized FIFTY FIFTY with new members and is gearing up for a comeback, including a U.S. tour.



The agency, previously seen as a model for self-managed idols, was forced to close in 2024 when its key shareholder was accused of fabricating paperwork and unlawfully signing ₩10 billion contracts under Kang Daniel's name. The stockholder is still under investigation.



TS Entertainment, which managed groups such as B.A.P. and SECRET, was sued many times for unfair contracts and artist mistreatment before quietly ceasing operations.

The CEO of Media Line Entertainment was convicted of child abuse in 2019 for physically and emotionally torturing members of the boy band The East Light. He was sentenced to six years in prison, underscoring the harsh treatment that some trainees experience in the profession.


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