“Refund? I hope you get a big scolding”… Yoo Jae-hwan, independent youth composer accuses of fraud

[Dispatch=Kim Sojeong·Jung Taeyoong Reporters] Here is the showcase location that Yu Jaehwan proposed to four participants of the ‘independent youth preparation project.’

There was a seafood specialty restaurant on the first floor. Yu Jaehwan was using the 2nd floor of this restaurant building as his workspace.

“These days everyone is rough. If you do it at night, you can install 10 yellow lights. Use good chairs” (Yu Jaehwan)

Yu Jaehwan persuasively sent photos of his workspace consecutively.

Yu Jaehwan pushed for the (seafood) restaurant’s 2nd floor as a ‘showcase’ location, all for 1.75 million won. He had already received and spent the rent, leaving no room for consideration of other locations.

‘Dispatch’ found the workspace. The view from the 2nd floor of the building was that of an accommodations establishment. In other words, it was a ‘motel view.’ Did Yu Jaehwan believe that he could sing the dreams of the independent youth from this place?

The 4 ‘independent youth’ demanded a refund. They requested a return of the rental fee of 1.75 million won and the personal money they lent of 1 million won (before the start of the project), totaling 2.75 million won.

Yu Jaehwan said, “I don’t have 2.75 million won right now. What do I do if you ask me to hand it over forcefully?” expressing anger. He continued, “My song cost 7 million won. I even made 3 songs for you,” showing displeasure.

In the end, the independent youth ended up moving to another place at additional cost. On November 13, 2023, they held a ‘mini album’ future showcase at a studio in Ansan.

Yu Jaehwan, perhaps feeling apologetic, promised, “I will sing one song myself at the showcase.” Of course, that promise was not kept. It was simply a dawn text message saying, “There’s a burglar in my house, so I can’t make it.”

This is just the beginning of Yu Jaehwan’s composer scam. Let’s take a closer look at the scam involving the ‘independent youth’ composers.

◆ Dreams of Independent Youth

Children living in protective facilities have their protective measures terminated when they turn 18. (It can be extended up to 25 years if they wish.) The government supports these independent youth for 5 years after the end of protection.

Every year, over 10,000 youth in protective facilities prepare for independence. Local governments assist them in standing on their own. For example, they provide opportunities for youth who dream of music.

Four individuals, including A, planned a music release project to support the culturally marginalized groups. They visited Yu Jaehwan with government support funds of 5 million won each (X4) and requested him to compose and release songs.

A told ‘Dispatch’, “I was given over 8 million won for <3 songs + rental fee>. I received 3 songs after many ups and downs. Among them, 2 songs had only one verse. I managed to record and release only one song.”

◆ Yu Jaehwan, Recruited as a Music Mentor

On May 30, 2023, A proposed a music release project to Yu Jaehwan. At that time, Yu Jaehwan said, “Are you paying me an appearance fee?”

A: I will do the lyrics. You compose. I have a friend who can sing. How about 3 songs? And I plan to document the process on YouTube.

Yu Jaehwan: Will you pay the appearance fee?

A: I will pay both appearance fee and song production fee.

A made the first installment payment of 4.65 million won on September 3. On the 4th, 175,000 won was deposited for studio rental. On the 18th, he sent 1 million won in advance because Yu Jaehwan’s parents were ill.

Additionally, he transferred a total of 880,000 won to Yu Jaehwan’s bank account for additional facilities (50,000 won), sound engineer (30,000 won), lighting engineer (30,000 won), and rehearsal rental fee (30,000 won).

◆ “But the songs are not coming”

However, the process of receiving the songs was difficult. Firstly, a text message sent by A on September 24.

A: This is taking too long…

A: Can you let me know if we can meet for 10 hours next month? I need a demo for at least one song to start writing lyrics.

Yu Jaehwan replied two days later on the 26th.

Yu Jaehwan: I’m contacting you now because my mother is ill.

A: Oh no

A: Teacher, at what time will you be able to call me tomorrow?

Yu Jaehwan: (No response)

A sent another text on the 27th.

A: Teacher, can you send me the song?

A: I have to deliver a demo to continue…

Yu Jaehwan remained silent once again. He didn’t reply until the 29th.

A: Teacher, I don’t know the current situation. Is it possible to proceed?

Yu Jaehwan: Good. You can proceed with it whenever you want.

A: Since I couldn’t reach you for two days,

Yu Jaehwan: I was very ill for two days.

◆ “Teacher? Teacher! Sir? ㅠㅠ”

A complained, “Working with Yu Jaehwan was too difficult.” In reality, A spent two months giving money, making requests, urging, explaining circumstances, and repeating requests over and over again.

On October 7, Yu Jaehwan sent two guide tracks. ‘Let’s take it slow together’ and ‘Even without saying it.’ A chose ‘Even without saying it’ as the title. He wrote lyrics for this song.

On November 13, Yu Jaehwan sent a duet song and a solo song. On the day of the showcase, he sent two more songs (barely) at the last minute. However, they were unfinished songs. They only had one verse and were unusable.

A said, “I held the showcase as planned on November 13,” adding, “In the end, I only sang ‘Even without saying it.’ I filled the rest with talk. Yu Jaehwan didn’t show up at all.”

The challenging time they had endured was fully revealed in their text messages.

A: Teacher, you need to give us an answer so we can know how to proceed.

A: Are the lyrics I sent fixed for now?

A: Teacher, can you provide us with the instrumental by the 13th? There’s more work to be done.

A: Teacher?

A: Teacher ㅠㅠ

A: ???

A: You must provide the instrumental by the 12th.

A sent 13 messages from November 6. Yu Jaehwan replied four days later on the 10th.

“I will prepare the instrumental well and send it to you.” (Yu Jaehwan)

◆ Yu Jaehwan’s Neglect of the Youth’s Dreams

The independent youth dream of a better future. They believe tomorrow will be better than today. That’s why the title of this project album was ‘Today is better than yesterday.’

The path these youths tread is not easy. However, they refuse to give up. That’s why A prepared this project. He wanted to create a support song not to lose hope.

Here are some lines from the lyrics he wrote.

“At the end of another difficult and tiring day, whisper to me with the words of the pain of the painful wound~ Today will be better than yesterday, tell me I’m okay. To the young me inside, don’t rush and feel slowly. Tell your young heart~”

Yu Jaehwan turned a blind eye to the dreams of the independent youth. He only repeated, “Until when can you give me the songs?” without considering the youth’s dreams.

A barely received one complete song, ‘Even without saying it.’ However, this was also a breach of contract. None of the processes like releasing the music, registering it, or distributing it were carried out.

Furthermore, Yu Jaehwan didn’t even remember recording ‘Even without saying it.’ Here is a conversation between Yu Jaehwan and A:

Yu Jaehwan : Is ‘Even without saying it’ complete up to the second verse?

A : What do you mean by asking if it’s complete to the second verse?

Yu Jaehwan : ‘Even without saying it.’ Is it complete up to the second verse?

A : We recorded it all together, right?

Yu Jaehwan : We recorded it? Us? Where?

A : At your house.

Yu Jaehwan : ‘Even without saying it’?

Yu Jaehwan : Oh really?

A : We recorded together. We even met your mother on the weekend.

◆ While the Motel View Showcase Didn’t Happen

In addition to the song costs, Yu Jaehwan received rental fees for music release showcases. A couldn’t hold the ‘motel view’ showcase. Therefore, he requested a refund of the rental fee.

(The rental fee of 1.75 million won and the showcase implementation fee of 1.4 million won were deposited into Yu Jaehwan’s fiancée’s account, songwriter Jung Inkyung.)

A: Teacher, please, when will the song be ready?

Yu Jaehwan: I will send it today!

A: Teacher, please send it today!! Please.

A : When will you call me??

Yu Jaehwan : I can’t call today.

A : Teacher, please read the long message~

Teacher, this is not a personal matter, but a government project with accounting and reporting processes. If the circumstances