From left, former JDB Entertainment CEO A and former member of Ihotea, Mina / Photo = MBC’s “The Manager,” EFG Music.
Comedians Kim Jun-ho and Kim Dae-hee’s company, JDB Entertainment, aimed to develop a girl group but now faces a crisis due to an unprecedented “affair rumor.” Recently, social media and various online communities have circulated videos and photos of JDB Entertainment’s CEO A engaging in intimate conduct with girl group member B. Given that A is married with two children, the news quickly expanded into an “affair rumor.”
CEO A, who has appeared several times on MBC’s popular variety show “The Manager,” was identified on the 17th. The situation was further compounded when it was revealed that girl group member B was an artist nurtured directly by A.
The aftermath of the “affair allegations” involving CEO A and member B has been severe, even shaking the subsidiary EFG Music. Despite efforts to rectify the situation with A’s “resignation” and Mina’s “contract termination,” the company faced a significant backlash, leading to the discontinuation of EFG Music’s operations. JDB Entertainment stated, “Considering the current circumstances comprehensively, EFG Music will temporarily halt all activities. Decisions about the company’s continuation and organizational direction will follow after internal review and legal consultation.”
In reality, contracts with all existing artists, including Ihotea, live idol Nana, and the band HIJK, were terminated. The aim appears to be preventing further damage to artists’ reputations due to the negative association with the company resulting from the “affair rumor.”
JDB Entertainment requested, “Please refrain from excessive slander, spreading false information, and personal attacks against individual artists. These artists have been sincerely active for a long time, and this issue arose from the company’s inadequate internal management and poor response. We deeply apologize for causing pain to our artists and fans. We recognize and understand the confusion and disappointment of the fans, and we will fulfill our remaining responsibilities as a company. We once again apologize for the sudden and incomplete situation.”
Meanwhile, former CEO A, who stepped down due to the controversy, has responded strongly to what he deems an excessive invasion of privacy by pursuing legal action. On the 16th, he filed a complaint with the Seoul Mapo Police Station for violations of the Act on Promotion of Information and Communications Network Utilization and Information Protection (Defamation) and violations of the Stalking Crime Punishment Act.
JDB Entertainment also reportedly filed a complaint with the police to identify and investigate those responsible for the illegal acts invading A’s privacy. Regardless of the truth of the controversy surrounding CEO A, the company stands firm on addressing any excessive invasion of privacy online.