Kim Ryang-ha, from the twin duo Ryang Hyun Ryang Ha who shot to fame in the early 2000s with hits like 'We Didn’t Go To School,' candidly revealed how much they earned at their peak and what happened after.
Appearing on actor Ji Dae-han’s YouTube channel on the 6th, Kim spoke about his past contract and settlement structure with JYP Entertainment. Kim said, "Back then, it was a 50/50 revenue split, and we were paid exactly what we earned," firmly denying rumors of an unfair contract. He added about J.Y. Park, "I’m always grateful to him."
But the real problem came later. Kim recalled, "The earnings were wired separately under my brother’s and my names, but our father withdrew everything in cash and managed it himself," adding, "We were young, so we didn’t question it."
Tragedy struck while he was serving in the military. After their father suddenly passed away from a myocardial infarction, the whereabouts of roughly 2 billion won in settlement money, reportedly kept in cash, became impossible to confirm. Kim said, "After my father passed, we had no way of knowing where the money was," adding, "My mother also didn’t know the details," heightening the heartbreak.
He continued, "At the time, I thought, ‘Maybe he’ll tell us around when we get married,’ but not being able to ask in the end became a lifelong regret." Still, he kept a positive outlook, saying, "Many people remember what we did and how we earned it."
Meanwhile, Kim Ryang-ha is focusing on new personal ventures, including launching a new line of meal kits, and is reportedly preparing to release a new single this year. While he and his brother, Kim Ryang-hyun, are walking separate paths, Kim added, "We cheer each other on."