From Sung Si-kyung to BLACKPINK's Lisa: Manager Scams Resurface as a 'Hollywood Nightmare'

The entertainment industry is once again facing a wave of concern as news breaks of singer Sung Si-kyung allegedly falling victim to a scam by his manager of over a decade. This incident has brought to light past cases where celebrities suffered financial losses due to their managers or close acquaintances.

Sung Si-kyung's agency, SK Jaewon, confirmed that his former manager engaged in acts that betrayed the company's trust during their employment and stated that the scale of the damages is currently under investigation. This manager, a key figure, oversaw concerts, advertisements, and YouTube content, and was known to fans as Sung Si-kyung's 'right-hand man.' Sung Si-kyung himself expressed his feelings on social media, stating, 'I experienced a breach of trust from someone I believed in. It's not easy, even at my age.'

Recalling past incidents, actor Cheon Jung-myung confessed that his manager of 16 years had borrowed money from his parents and engaged in embezzlement, causing him such shock that he contemplated retirement. Actor Jung Woong-in also shared a heartbreaking story of losing all his assets due to his manager's fraud and being forced to beg loan sharks.

Global sensation BLACKPINK's member Lisa was also reportedly defrauded of over a billion won by a manager who had been with her since her debut, under the guise of real estate investment. YG Entertainment apologized, stating, 'While some of the amount has been recovered, it caused great distress to the artist and fans.'

Beyond these prominent cases, singers Son Dam-bi and Kim Jong-min, and Baekga of Koyote, among others, have also been revealed to have suffered repeated financial damages from managers or close associates.

The recurrence of these 'manager risks' in the entertainment industry is now being pointed out as a systemic issue rather than isolated incidents. Netizens are calling for improved management and verification systems for managers, with one comment stating, 'This isn't an individual problem, but an industry structure issue.' While Sung Si-kyung remains resilient, these ongoing scandals serve as a stark warning about the dangers of a system built solely on trust, highlighting the urgent need for safety measures for other stars.

Fans expressed concern, commenting, 'It seems like an incident that exploited Sung Si-kyung's good nature,' and 'Manager risk has become too significant.' Others lamented, '16 years is like family, this is too cruel,' and 'It seems trust no longer exists in the entertainment industry.'