Current and former employees of One Hundred Label and its affiliated labels have once again demanded that CEO Cha Ga-won immediately pay all unpaid wages and issue a sincere apology.
On the 18th, a coalition of current and former employees from One Hundred Label, Big Planet Made Entertainment, and INB100 released a second statement, saying, "Thanks to the public’s attention, Cha Ga-won’s side has begun paying some staff," but warned that "serious unresolved issues remain."
They claimed that dozens of employees across the three companies still have not received their wages and that contributions to the country’s four mandatory social insurance programs remain in arrears. They urged, "Cha Ga-won must immediately pay the remaining employees and settle the full amount of the overdue social insurance contributions."
The group also alleged that Cha’s side demanded employees submit letters stating they would not seek punishment as a condition during the wage payment process. They stressed, "Wages must never come with strings attached. The first thing is to pay the back wages, and the second is to offer employees a sincere apology."
They criticized Cha for prioritizing media responses and public opinion battles, asserting, "Responsibility for the current situation lies solely with Cha Ga-won." Citing months of wage delays that caused severe financial hardship, they added, "Even that brief waiting period felt like hell for employees who had already endured so long."
Previously, in their first statement on the 16th, the group claimed that wage payments were being made on the condition that employees sign letters of non-punishment. In response, Cha’s legal representative rebutted the claim as "malicious agitation by some board members" and said unpaid wages would be paid within the designated period under corrective orders from the local labor office.
However, the employees asked the Ministry of Employment and Labor to continue its investigation. "Just because some wages have started to be paid does not erase the damage already suffered," they said, urging authorities to conduct a thorough probe so the same thing does not happen again in the entertainment industry.
They also called on investigative agencies to conduct a rigorous investigation. Alleging that company funds were diverted to Cha personally or to related companies, the group claimed the fallout included not only unpaid staff wages but also delayed artist settlements and unpaid invoices to partner companies.
Meanwhile, the Seoul Gangnam Branch of the Ministry of Employment and Labor said it is checking whether Cha demanded waivers from employees harmed by wage arrears and vowed stern action, including referring the case to police, if any illegal conduct is confirmed. The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency’s Financial Crimes Investigation Unit has reportedly sought an arrest warrant for Cha on charges including fraud under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Economic Crimes.