Victims of Fraud: How K-Pop Stars IU, Sojin, and BLACKPINK’s Lisa Were Deceived

Celebrities facing fraudulent crimes have come into the spotlight, with several cases recently uncovered. These incidents have affected a range of stars, including Kim Sang Hyuk, who lost 100 million won to someone he trusted, Bbaek Ga, who sold three houses and invested in stocks but faced betrayal, and Kim Hyun Sook, who fell victim to a scam involving her colleague’s husband, were among those targeted. Notably, even famous figures like IU, Sojin from Girl’s Day and BLACKPINK’s leader, Lisa, found themselves entangled in such situations.

Renowned singer IU recently opened up about her past experiences as a victim of fraud in the entertainment industry. During an appearance on an entertainment show, IU revealed that she had fallen victim to fake entertainment companies while striving to make her debut as a star. She shared, “Before I made my debut, I was actually scammed on multiple occasions. Typically, when a company asks for money, it’s a clear red flag that they’re trying to deceive you. Unfortunately, I fell prey to the tactics of three such companies before I realised what was happening. These companies could demand as much as 3 million won. If you do succumb to their high fees, they often offer you only minor roles or extra work. I ended up losing a significant amount of money to these fraudulent individuals.”

IU’s candid revelation sheds light on the challenges and risks that aspiring artists can face in the entertainment industry, and her story serves as a cautionary tale for those pursuing their dreams in show business.

In the first half of 2020, Lisa, a member of the K-pop group BLACKPINK, faced a distressing situation when her former manager reportedly scammed her out of a substantial amount, totalling up to 1 billion KRW (South Korean Won). The manager had assured Lisa that the money would be invested in real estate, but in a heartbreaking twist, it was revealed that he had spent the entire sum on gambling. What adds to the sorrow of fans is the fact that this manager had been with BLACKPINK since their debut, and Lisa had placed her complete trust in him.

As the only foreign member of BLACKPINK, Lisa had to navigate life in Korea from a young age, and her trusting nature and willingness to help those around her, including her manager when they faced financial difficulties, endeared her to many. The betrayal by her former manager left the female idol and her fans deeply disheartened.

Girls’ Day’s Sojin, just like IU, had aspirations of becoming a K-pop star. She began her journey as a trainee, with her agency making a promise that they could debut if she paid a fee of 2 million won. Sojin did pay the fee and devoted months to training within the same agency. Unfortunately, their chief manager, whom they trusted, vanished with their hard-earned money, leaving her in a challenging situation.