K-Pop Star Kang Daniel Sues Company Shareholder for Massive Fraud

Kang Daniel, a singer from the group Wanna One, has filed a lawsuit against major shareholder A of his agency, accusing him of fraud amounting to over 10 billion won (approx. $7.4 million).

According to an exclusive report by YTN on May 20th, Kang Daniel, who is also the CEO of KONNECT Entertainment, has accused “A” of forging documents for a deal, embezzling, and betraying concerning aggravated punishment for specific economic crimes worth over 2 billion won (approximately $1.5 million), and violating the Information and Communications Network Act and fraud amounting to over 1.7 billion won (approximately $1.3 million) at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency.

The legal representative of Kang Daniel, Wooree Law Firm (attorney in charge: Park Sung Woo), stated, “Our client, who has been protecting the company as both the CEO and an artist for the past five years, has put in tremendous effort for over a year before proceeding with the criminal lawsuit to minimize the damage to his fellow artists, employees, and third-party contract partners who have trusted and followed him like family.”

They added, “However, we have decided that there is no other solution but to hold them legally accountable, and with a heavy heart, we have proceeded with the criminal lawsuit.”

According to the media, “A” allegedly embezzled company funds using his position as a major shareholder, stole identities, and signed a music distribution contract worth over 10 billion won by stamping the corporate seal. Kang Daniel reportedly learned about this a month after the contract was signed.

Kang Daniel also claimed that A had withdrawn large sums of money from his account without his consent and misused the corporate card.

Kang Daniel debuted as a member of Wanna One after winning first place in Mnet’s Produce 101 Season 2.

Kang Daniel then debuted as a solo artist in July 2019. He established his one-man agency, KONNECT Entertainment, and embarked on a solo career.

Kang Daniel is currently facing the expiration of his exclusive contract with KONNECT Entertainment early next month.