[Full Text] Shin Hyun-joon: "Former Manager Full of Lies... Will Hold Legally Responsible"

Actor Shin Hyun-joon. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] Actor Shin Hyun-joon’s agency has refuted the claims made by former manager Kim Kwang-seop. Kim recently alleged that he was subjected to unfair treatment by Shin Hyun-joon for 13 years.

On the afternoon of the 13th, Shin Hyun-joon’s agency, HJ Film, released a statement regarding Kim’s allegations of power abuse.

The agency stated, "It took time to verify the truth and collect evidence concerning matters that happened over 10 years ago involving Kim Kwang-seop. Additionally, as the actor’s family was about to be publicly introduced, we had to respond very cautiously and passively to avoid causing harm not only to the actor’s family but also to others involved in the program’s production."

They continued to explain the relationship between Shin Hyun-joon and Kim, saying, "Their relationship started as friends and later developed into a manager role. They parted ways several times over the years, but from 2010 for the last six years, they worked together with Kim’s company."

The agency added, "Shin Hyun-joon and Kim Kwang-seop operated on an agent concept based on trust, handling work on a per-project basis. The commission rates varied per project. Kim was even once a credit delinquent, so most financial transactions were conducted in cash."

They further clarified, "The claim of a 1/10 revenue split is false; there was no contract, nor was such a condition ever verbally agreed upon. Even the messages Kim himself disclosed today show that if a 1/10 split had been agreed upon, he would not have asked, ‘What percentage do I get?’"

In conclusion, the agency said, "If Shin Hyun-joon has anything to apologize for, it is deeply regretting and feeling sorry for having trusted and worked with such a person as a friend in the past. We will hold Kim Kwang-seop, who is full of lies, legally accountable, as well as anyone who blindly spreads the false information he provides."

Previously, Kim claimed in an interview with a media outlet that he endured verbal abuse and mistreatment from Shin Hyun-joon for 13 years. He also revealed that during the first two years of his work, he was paid only 600,000 KRW per month. Furthermore, he alleged that the verbally promised 9:1 profit split was not properly honored.

The following is the statement from Shin Hyun-joon’s agency.

This is HJ Film, the agency of Shin Hyun-joon.

First of all, we apologize for causing concern in many ways.

It took time to verify the truth and collect evidence regarding matters involving Kim Kwang-seop that happened over 10 years ago.

Also, as the actor Shin Hyun-joon’s family was about to be publicly introduced, we had to respond very cautiously and passively to avoid causing harm not only to the actor’s family but also to others who have been working hard on the program’s production.

Even the message content disclosed in today’s article, which is a normal conversation between close personal acquaintances, has been maliciously excerpted and edited in parts to falsely describe the situation at that time. At this point, it is difficult for us to endure any longer.

First, we would like to explain the relationship between Kim Kwang-seop and Shin Hyun-joon. Their relationship started as friends and developed into a manager role. For the first few years, Kim worked as Shin Hyun-joon’s manager. They parted ways for several years, then reunited in 2010, and for the last six years, worked together with Star Brothers, a company led by Kim Kwang-seop. Kim was the CEO of the entertainment agency Star Brothers, which employed managers for entertainers. Contrary to his claims, Shin Hyun-joon’s manager did not change 20 times, and the multiple changes were due to Kim’s repeated failure to pay employee (manager) wages and wage arrears. We will submit evidence.

During those six years, Shin Hyun-joon was officially the agency’s artist, but he allowed his friend who started the company to list him as a signed artist to help him.

Shin Hyun-joon and Kim Kwang-seop operated on an agent concept based on trust, handling work on a per-project basis. The commission rates varied per project. Kim was even once a credit delinquent, so most financial transactions were conducted in cash.

The claim of a 1/10 revenue split is false; there was no contract, nor was such a condition ever verbally agreed upon. Even the messages Kim himself disclosed today show that if a 1/10 split had been agreed upon, he would not have asked, ‘What percentage do I get?’

Shin Hyun-joon felt very sorry and sometimes urged or got angry at his friend Kim, who was not managing the company diligently and was only indulging in entertainment and unreasonable business attempts. Sometimes he even encouraged him.

As can be seen from the various messages Kim himself disclosed, it is proven how slow he was with work and how unresponsive he was. Everyone was waiting on business matters, so is it a crime to ask for the work to be done quickly? Is that power abuse?

HJ Film has met many victims who suffered damages due to Kim Kwang-seop through this incident and has collected a great deal of evidence.

HJ Film and Shin Hyun-joon will respond with truth, not lies. We will explain everything, and you will understand how much emotional distress Shin Hyun-joon endured because of his friend.

If Shin Hyun-joon has anything to apologize for, it is deeply regretting and feeling sorry for having trusted and worked with such a person as a friend in the past.

Recently, the public is already overwhelmed by various incidents. We sincerely apologize for adding to everyone’s fatigue with this unreasonable and unfortunate matter between the two individuals.

We will hold Kim Kwang-seop, who is full of lies, as well as anyone who blindly spreads the false information he provides, legally accountable.

HJ Film