Labour Ministry launches full wage arrears inspection, prompting Big Planet Made Entertainment to issue delayed wage payment notice

The Ministry of Employment and Labour has launched a full-scale investigation into unpaid wages involving One Hundred Label and its affiliated companies, while Big Planet Made Entertainment has belatedly begun procedures to address wage arrears.

The Seoul Gangnam Branch of the Ministry of Employment and Labour previously initiated a comprehensive inspection and investigation into One Hundred Label and related entities. The ministry is conducting a company-wide review following multiple complaints of unpaid wages, rather than handling cases individually.

Following the public disclosure of the investigation, One Hundred Label chairwoman Cha Ga Won sent a text message to employees at around 9 p.m. on June 10, issuing an apology. “I sincerely apologise for the delay in paying your wages and bow my head in regret,” she said. “We failed to keep even the most basic promise to those who trusted and worked with us.” She added that the company had been reviewing internal circumstances and had now decided to proceed with payment of outstanding wages.

On the same day, the company’s legal representative issued a notice outlining the wage payment procedure. The notice stated that employees would need to submit a non-prosecution request form along with verification of the owed amount in order to receive payment. It also said that those who complete electronic signatures and attach identification documents would be paid in order of submission, with payments from June 10 submissions beginning on the morning of June 11, followed by sequential processing of remaining cases.

However, the request for employees to submit non-prosecution agreements alongside wage payments has drawn mixed reactions. While some employees welcomed the decision as a delayed but positive development, others criticised the company, questioning why wages had not been paid earlier despite the apparent availability of funds.

There are also concerns that the current payment notifications appear to be directed primarily at general staff rather than executives, raising questions about whether the wage issue has been fully resolved.

Meanwhile, One Hundred Label has been facing ongoing instability since last year due to continued settlement disputes, resulting in artist departures and contract conflicts.

Taemin previously notified the company of contract termination citing settlement issues and loss of trust before moving to a new agency. BE'O also terminated his exclusive contract and signed with another label. In a separate case, VIVIZ recently had their request for suspension of contract validity fully upheld in a legal injunction filed against Big Planet Made Entertainment, while Lee Mu jin is currently undergoing similar legal proceedings seeking suspension of his contract.

Additionally, nine members of The Boyz were granted injunctions suspending their exclusive contracts, effectively severing ties with the agency.