Singer and actor Lee Seung-gi has won a lawsuit against his former agency Hook Entertainment (Hook, currently known as Chorokbaem). The ruling was made at the Seoul Central District Court’s Civil Conciliation Division 20 (Chief Judge Lee Se-ra) on the day when the judgment trial of the debt existence confirmation lawsuit filed by Hook against Lee Seung-gi was held. The court ruled on that day, “Chorokbaem must pay Lee Seung-gi 581.47 million won,” and “all remaining claims for compensation and counterclaims by Chorokbaem are dismissed.” The court ordered the plaintiff and the defendant to each bear 50% of the litigation costs. Lee Seung-gi, who joined Hook in 2004 and released a total of 137 songs, claimed that he did not receive a proper settlement of the related music revenue and filed a lawsuit in 2002 for violation of the Act on Aggravated Punishment of Specific Economic Crimes (embezzlement and fraud). Hook claimed to have paid a total of 54 billion won, including the settled amount of 13 billion won and the unsettled amount of 29 billion won, as well as 12 billion won in delayed interest. Lee Seung-gi’s side countered that since the music revenue amounted to approximately 96 billion won, the settlement was not completed. Furthermore, during the trial on November 15 last year, Lee Seung-gi personally attended the court session. Lee Seung-gi expressed his frustration and disappointment, saying, “As the trial approaches its end, I feel frustrated and disappointed by the clouding of issues and the submission of preparatory documents filled with things that are not true,” and pleaded, “I earnestly request that you ensure that junior artists who debut at a young age for their dreams do not suffer from settlements.” The settlement lawsuit was originally scheduled for judgment on January 17, but it was canceled and the trial resumed on March 7, causing a delay in the ruling. Also, during the course of the lawsuit, Hook changed its name to Chorokbaem Entertainment this year. The name change was pursued as part of a full-scale reform and new beginning after Chorokbaem Media, the parent company of Hook Entertainment, was acquired by a fund operated by Q Capital at the end of last year. In particular, Chorokbaem Entertainment has embarked on a significant improvement by completely replacing its management team to maximize synergy within the group’s business and enhance its growth value.