One Hundred Label CEO Cha Ga Won sued on fraud charges involving over 10 billion KRW (approx. 6.8 million USD)

Cha Ga Won, CEO of One Hundred, has been sued on fraud charges involving sums exceeding 10 billion KRW (approx. 6.8 million USD).

According to an investigation by The Fact on January 16, a major domestic e-tech company identified as Company 'A' filed a criminal complaint with police last month against Cha on charges of fraud. Authorities confirmed that the alleged amount exceeds 10 billion KRW, placing the case under South Korea’s Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Economic Crimes.

Under Korean law, fraud and extortion are punishable by up to 10 years in prison or fines of up to 20 million KRW (approx. 13,568 USD), while embezzlement and breach of trust carry penalties of up to five years in prison or fines of up to 15 million KRW (approx. 10,176 USD). For large-scale financial crimes, harsher penalties apply under the aforementioned special act, an assessment that reportedly applies to the charges against Cha.

Cha owns One Hundred as well as its subsidiary labels Big Planet Made and INB100, and is known to wield absolute decision-making authority and influence over company operations. Company A, which works as a partner to these labels, filed the complaint not against the companies themselves, but against Cha personally on fraud charges.

Company A is a global, integrated entertainment solutions firm that leverages data and technology based on artists' intellectual property (IP) to expand entertainment businesses worldwide. It provides one-stop services spanning concerts, merchandise, and fan communication platforms. Many agencies that contract with Company A using their artists’ IP receive large advance payments.

One Hundred, Big Planet Made, and INB100 have all used Company A’s platform and signed contracts involving their artists’ IP, receiving substantial advances. This was previously addressed in The Fact’s December 29th exclusive report, “‘108 Billion KRW in Styling Costs, 72 Billion KRW in Advance Payments’… Cha Ga Won’s Abnormal Corporate Management.” The report analyzed Big Planet Made’s 2024 audit report, which showed the company in a state of complete capital impairment. INB100 was found to be in a similar condition, with both labels effectively surviving on advance payments, funds paid upfront for concerts, albums, and related activities. Company A was identified as one of the sources through which Cha secured large sums of capital.

Audit reports indicate that Cha received advance payments totaling hundreds of billions of KRW through various labels using artist IP. The exact amount received from Company A remains unclear. However, based on the current lawsuit, it is estimated to exceed at least 10 billion KRW, with contracts allegedly not being properly fulfilled. Company A appears to have concluded that Cha engaged in deceptive practices during this process.

The Fact contacted Cha’s side for comment around 4 PM, but no official response had been issued at the time of publication.

In addition, as of the point verified by The Fact, Cha has reportedly failed to properly settle payments with his artists since at least the second half of last year. In a separate exclusive report, it was alleged that artists such as Baekhyun, Taemin, and The Boyz were each owed around 1 billion KRW, with total unpaid settlements reaching approximately 5 billion KRW.

In response, One Hundred released a statement without directly confirming or denying unpaid settlements, saying, “Depending on each artist’s contract terms and activity status, discussions and adjustments are currently proceeding normally.” The wording has been interpreted as an implicit acknowledgment that certain payments were not settled within the agreed time frame.

Amid these circumstances, Cha is now facing a fraud lawsuit involving over 10 billion KRW. The situation has cast a shadow over the relentless efforts of his artists, who have continued intensive activities, including world tours.

Concerns are also mounting that the issue may not end here. Reports suggest that numerous companies involved in album production and promotional activities for artists under One Hundred, Big Planet Made, and INB100 have yet to receive payment. Fears are growing that not only artists, but also industry professionals who contributed their labor and expertise, may see their efforts go uncompensated.