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Lee Seung Gi speaks up on conflict with agency over unpaid music profits
South Korean singer and actor Lee Seung Gi have spoken up on the conflict with his agency Hook Entertainment over the issue of unpaid music profits.
In a lengthy statement on Instagram, Friday, Lee Seung Gi said he had not known that there were payments he was supposed to receive and expressed his feelings over what happened.
Korean entertainment website Dispatch first reported that Lee Seung Gi did not receive any of his revenue for his music since 2004.
"Honestly, I have not been very well. Getting enraged from the betrayal, frustrated from the disappointment, feeling resentment one day and blaming myself the next, I have been spending my days repeating this," he said on Instagram, as translated by Soompi.
The singer also disclosed that he received on Friday a text saying that around five billion won (around P212 million) has been deposited to his bank account.
He said, however, he will continue to pursue legal action against the agency as he does not know how they calculated the amount.
"It seems that Hook Entertainment probably thinks that I took legal action simply to receive money," he said. "I have never even received one of those typical statements of accounts for my music profits... They are trying to unilaterally wrap up this case under the pretext of paying the unpaid earnings."
Lee Seung Gi apologized for causing "fatigue" to the public following the issue and vowed to donate the all of the unpaid earnings to charity, excluding the legal aid costs.
"I have lived until now without knowing of my music profits. Of course, the 5 billion won I received today is such a big and valuable amount of money to me. It contains the sweat of my teens, 20s, and 30s," he said.
"However, if this money can be used for those who are more in need than me, the happiness and value I feel will exceed that of just 5 billion won."
Lee Seung Gi said he will meet with charity representatives to decide on his plans.
He also expressed his gratitude to everyone who supported him amid the issue.
"Thank you for once again making feel that I am someone who is loved. I will return that love at least a little bit by giving back to society," he said.
"I hope you have a warm holiday season. I will diligently continue down my own path as I always have."
Lee Seung Gi starred in several K-drama series such as "My Girlfriend is a Gumiho," "Gu Family Book," and "Mouse." Among his popular songs include "Because You're My Woman" and "Ordinary Man."
—MGP, GMA Integrated News
