One Hundred CEO Cha Ga-won Denies ₩29.6 Billion Fraud Charges at First Trial
Prosecutors allege the entertainment executive received billions of won through proposed artist-related businesses and a separate housing agreement. Cha’s defense denied all charges as the criminal trial opened in Seoul.
The Desk · filed 2026-10-13
Reported against primary sources.
One Hundred Label CEO Cha Ga-won has denied all charges at the opening of her criminal trial over allegations involving approximately ₩29.6 billion.
The Seoul Central District Court held the first hearing in the case on October 13, with Cha appearing while in detention.
Her attorney told the court that Cha denies the prosecution’s allegations in their entirety and said the defense would present a more detailed position at a later hearing.
Prosecutors allege that Cha received a combined ₩24.2 billion in advance payments from entertainment technology company Knowmerce after proposing businesses involving artists associated with One Hundred.
According to the prosecution’s account presented in court, those agreements included approximately ₩11 billion connected to proposed TAEMIN concert and merchandise-distribution rights, ₩12.1 billion connected to EXO-CBX merchandise production and distribution, and ₩1.1 billion connected to a fromis_9 merchandise business.
Prosecutors allege that the promised businesses were not carried out as represented.
TAEMIN, EXO-CBX and fromis_9 are referenced in the prosecution’s description of the proposed business arrangements. The artists are not defendants in the case.
Cha also faces a separate allegation involving a ₩5.4 billion housing deposit.
Prosecutors allege she entered an arrangement with an acquaintance involving residential lease agreements, received the deposit and did not fulfill her side of the agreement.
Cha’s defense disputed that allegation as well, arguing that the other party retains legal protections allowing recovery of the deposit through the property and asking the court to reject a related compensation request.
Cha has previously characterized the broader allegations against her as part of an attempted hostile takeover of One Hundred and has maintained her innocence.
The criminal case comes amid a wider period of instability surrounding One Hundred and its affiliated labels, including a series of contractual disputes involving artists who have sought to end or suspend their agreements.
Those separate artist disputes are not part of the criminal charges now being tried.
The court is scheduled to hold the next hearing on November 3.
No finding of guilt has been made.
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Filed by The Desk · filed 2026-10-13 · verified by The Desk (Editorial Desk). The October 13 first hearing, Cha Ga-won’s denial of all charges and the prosecution’s approximately ₩29.6 billion allegation were verified against contemporaneous Seoul Central District Court reporting.
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Sources cross-checked for this story (3 sources)
- 01
News1 — Reports directly from the October 13 first hearing, confirming Cha Ga-won’s denial of all charges and the prosecution’s allegations.
https://www.news1.kr/society/court-prosecution/6318136 - 02
Kstyle — Corroborates the first-hearing proceedings
https://kstyle.com/article.ksn?articleNo=2285187 - 03
Maeil Business Newspaper — Confirms the October 13 hearing, Cha’s formal denial and the Seoul Central District Court proceedings.
https://www.mk.co.kr/news/society/12174356