Shocking new buzz is spreading again around singer-producer MC Mong and Cha Gawon, chairman of the PIAQ Group, after MBC’s current affairs program PD Note aired its latest episode. The show highlighted alleged text messages about their relationship and claims of illegal gambling, while MC Mong immediately hit back and vowed legal action.
On June 2, PD Note aired an episode titled 'MC Mong and the Chairman’s K-Pop Trade Secrets,' spotlighting a slew of allegations tied to MC Mong, Cha Gawon, and One Hundred. The broadcast featured “Mr. A,” reportedly Cha Gawon’s uncle and the head of a well-known construction development firm. He revealed mobile messages he claims to have received directly from MC Mong. The texts suggested MC Mong dated Cha Gawon and also contained references to gambling.
Mr. A further claimed MC Mong personally approached him and pressured him by implying he would take their relationship public. However, both MC Mong and Cha Gawon firmly deny the claims. On air, Cha Gawon countered, saying, "If I start talking, a lot of people will get hurt. This entire entertainment scene could be turned upside down," insisting the allegations surrounding him are not true.
Cha Gawon said he met MC Mong and heard the company needed help, which led to investment and a subsequent business relationship. He added that he later felt betrayed after hearing reports accusing MC Mong of buying sex, and claimed that after MC Mong left the company, he allegedly teamed up with Mr. A.
MC Mong also went live on social media the following day to plead his case. "I’m exhausted by this, and imagine how tired the public must be watching it. I’m sorry about that," he began, then argued that PD Note "should have at least checked the facts with me." Addressing the relationship rumors with Cha Gawon, he said, "When we went to Las Vegas, the company’s CEO, deputy CEO, and staff all went together. If it were a romantic getaway, why would we all go together?"
He strongly denied the illegal overseas gambling allegations as well. Referring to parts of the show’s interviews, he said, "What taxi drivers and restaurant employees say is just hearsay," adding, "This kills people," expressing anger at the claims.
He also distanced himself from the controversy over unpaid settlements for One Hundred’s artists. MC Mong said, "Those issues happened after I was kicked out of the company," rejecting attempts to link him to the accounting disputes.
Before the episode even aired, MC Mong had warned the producers he would file a damages suit of around 100 billion won. Vowing to "fight for my honor," he said he would hold people accountable, including for past reports about him.
MC Mong co-founded One Hundred with Cha Gawon in 2023 and served as the overall producer for rookie group Bad Villain. But he was abruptly removed from duties last June, and soon after, a wave of controversies erupted — from alleged personal relationships to accusations of buying sex and illegal gambling — putting him at the center of a firestorm.
With PD Note bringing both sides’ claims into direct conflict, observers say the dispute is likely to escalate from a war of revelations into a full-fledged legal battle.