In the fast-paced entertainment industry, the bond between a star and their manager is often one of the deepest and most trusted. But what happens when that trust is completely shattered?
The topic is in the spotlight again as singer Sung Si Kyung’s agency recently confirmed that a former manager of 10 years is under investigation for embezzlement. A concert staffer even alleged the ex-manager stole hundreds of millions of won by scalping tickets and funneling the money into his wife’s bank account.
Sadly, this story is all too common. Here are seven other stars who were devastatingly betrayed by the people they trusted most.
BLACKPINK’s Lisa
Even world-class superstars aren’t immune to. In 2020, it was revealed that BLACKPINK’s Lisa had been defrauded out of 1 billion won ($690,665) by her former manager. The manager, who had been with Lisa since her debut, allegedly took her settlement funds and squandered them. In a sign of kindness, Lisa reportedly granted leniency after the manager promised to repay the amount and resigned.
>> BLACKPINK’s Lisa Got Scammed by Her Former Manager
Chun Jung Myung
Perhaps one of the most heartbreaking stories belongs to Chun Jung Myung. After a 15-year relationship, he was betrayed by his manager, suffering fraud and embezzlement damages. The actor, who took a five-year hiatus, revealed on My Little Old Boy that the betrayal from a friend he trusted so much was devastating. “I couldn’t control my emotions,” he confessed, “and even seriously considered retirement.”
Son Dam Bi
Singer and actress Son Dam Bi’s story is particularly brazen. As she explained on Knowing Bros, she lived with her manager and entrusted him with her bank password. “While I was working,” she recalled, “he called a moving company and stole everything in our house, down to my underwear.”
Koyote’s Bbaek Ga
Sometimes the betrayal is discovered in the most painful way. Koyote’s Bbaek Ga shared a story on a radio show about attending a friend’s wedding, only to get a call later asking why he didn’t give a congratulatory cash gift, which is a common custom in Korea. Bbaek Ga, who had given the envelope of cash to his manager at the door, realized the manager had stolen it. After sending messages to all his friends from the past two years, he was furious to learn that everyone replied they had never received his gift money.
Choo Sung Hoon
It’s not always managers, but other close confidants. MMA fighter Choo Sung Hoon revealed he was betrayed by an older “brother figure” he had known for 10 years. “He said he would manage my money. I entrusted my bank account to him,” Choo explained. Six years later, when he went to check his savings to buy his mother a house, he found only 200,000 won ($150) left.
Lee Min Woo (Shinhwa)
Perhaps the most terrifying story comes from Shinhwa’s Lee Min Woo, who was betrayed by an acquaintance of 20 years. The star revealed he was not only defrauded of his entire fortune of about 2.6 billion won ($1.8 million) but was also severely “gaslighted” and psychologically controlled by the person. “I never knew I would be subjected to such psychological control,” he confessed. “If I was told to die, I would die… I even contemplated extreme measures.”
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