Why Park Bom Sued YG Entertainment Founder Yang Hyun-suk Over Unpaid Profits

K-pop star Park Bom, a member of the iconic girl group 2NE1, has filed a lawsuit against Yang Hyun-suk, the founder of YG Entertainment, accusing him of fraud and embezzlement. The case, revealed publicly by Park Bom on October 22, 2025, centers on claims that YG failed to pay her rightful share of profits from her music and promotional activities during her time with the agency.

Park Bom posted about the lawsuit directly on Instagram, urging her followers to “please investigate exactly what YG did to Park Bom.” She included an image of her legal complaint, listing herself as the plaintiff and Yang Hyun-suk as the defendant, alleging that she was denied income from years of professional work under YG Entertainment.

Park Bom Claims YG Owes Her Years of Unpaid Profits

In her post, Park Bom claimed that Yang Hyun-suk “has not paid the profits that should have been rightfully paid to her for a long period of time.” She accused YG Entertainment of withholding payments from all her professional activities, including album releases, concerts, advertisements, television appearances, and songwriting credits.

Park Bom further stated that the unpaid profits amounted to an astronomical 642.72 trillion won — roughly $448.8 billion USD. However, Korean media outlets quickly pointed out that the number appeared to be a typographical error, suggesting she likely meant a far smaller figure. Despite that, her statement has ignited widespread attention and concern among fans and industry insiders.

“Despite this, YG Entertainment did not provide settlement details, and not a single proper payment was made to the plaintiff,” Park Bom wrote in her statement. She emphasized that she suffered “serious economic loss and mental damage,” calling it “a clear act of fraud and embezzlement.”

The singer added that she has provided various forms of evidence, including contracts, income records, event participation logs, emails, text messages, and bank transaction histories, to support her legal claim against Yang Hyun-suk.

D-Nation Responds as Park Bom’s Case Gains Attention

Following her announcement, a representative from D-Nation Entertainment, Park Bom’s current agency, told Korean media that they are still verifying the situation. “We cannot even control Park Bom. We are currently checking the details of the lawsuit against Yang Hyun-suk,” the representative said, suggesting that the legal filing may have been made independently by Park Bom herself.

Earlier this year, D-Nation confirmed that Park Bom would not participate in future 2NE1 activities due to medical advice recommending rest and stability. Her health-related hiatus followed years of intermittent appearances since 2NE1’s disbandment in 2016, leaving fans worried about her well-being and future plans.

Legal and Industry Implications of Park Bom’s Lawsuit

The lawsuit has once again drawn public attention to the issue of artist compensation and transparency in the K-pop industry. If Park Bom’s claims are found to have merit, it could prompt broader discussions about how major agencies handle profit settlements with their artists.

Yang Hyun-suk, who founded YG Entertainment in 1996 and oversaw the careers of global acts like BIGBANG, BLACKPINK, and 2NE1, has faced multiple legal and ethical controversies in recent years. However, this marks the first time a former 2NE1 member has filed a direct lawsuit against him for financial misconduct.

While the exact financial figures remain unclear, Park Bom’s case underscores growing tensions between artists and management companies over profit distribution, transparency, and creative rights. As the investigation proceeds, both fans and insiders are watching closely to see how this lawsuit could reshape accountability standards within K-pop’s powerful entertainment agencies.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: Why did Park Bom sue YG Entertainment founder Yang Hyun-suk?

She accused him of fraud and embezzlement, claiming she was not paid profits from music, performances, and other activities under YG Entertainment.

Q2: How much money does Park Bom claim YG owes her?

She cited 642.72 trillion won in her complaint, though this number appears to include a typographical error. The real amount is likely much lower.

Q3: Has YG Entertainment or Yang Hyun-suk responded?

As of now, neither YG Entertainment nor Yang Hyun-suk has issued a public statement regarding Park Bom’s legal claims.

Q4: What is Park Bom’s current status?

She is signed under D-Nation Entertainment but is currently on medical rest and not participating in upcoming 2NE1-related activities.

Q5: Could this lawsuit affect the K-pop industry?

Yes, it could lead to increased scrutiny over how entertainment agencies manage and distribute artists’ earnings.