Yang Hyun-suk, the Chief Producer of YG Entertainment, faced another round in court regarding allegations of retaliatory threats. The statement of "no desire for punishment" by Han Seo-hee, a former trainee, during the fourth appeal trial was unexpected and raised eyebrows. Although the truth behind her statement couldn't be immediately verified due to subsequent questioning, Han Seo-hee eventually reiterated her stance, tearfully expressing her wish not to see Yang Hyun-suk punished.
Yang Hyun-suk had previously encountered Han Seo-hee in court, a relationship that has turned sour over the years. He was charged with attempting to obstruct the investigation into allegations that B.I, a former member of the YG group iKON, had purchased and consumed drugs in August 2016. Despite these charges, Yang was acquitted in the first trial, leading to an appeal. The prosecution had previously sought a three-year prison sentence for Yang, but the court did not find sufficient evidence to prove that his remarks had instilled fear in the victim.
In the ongoing appeal, the prosecution argued that Yang had tried to persuade or pressure the victim at the YG building, with the assistance of company staff. Despite Han Seo-hee's recent statement of not wanting punishment for Yang, she claimed to have been threatened by him, suggesting that he could easily "kill" her in the entertainment industry.
Given the unexpected turn of events and the victim's reluctance for punishment, it seems unlikely that the court will accept the prosecution's request. The next trial date is set for September 27th. If acquitted again, Yang Hyun-suk could potentially shed the label of "retaliatory threat" and accelerate his return to the industry.
As the head of YG Entertainment, one of South Korea's top three music agencies alongside SM and JYP, Yang Hyun-suk has produced numerous popular idols like BIGBANG, 2NE1, BLACKPINK, WINNER, iKON, and AKMU. He has faced numerous controversies, from the Burning Sun scandal involving BIGBANG's Seungri to allegations of overseas gambling and solicitation of prostitution. However, most of these allegations have resulted in non-indictments, though they have significantly tarnished his image as a leading entertainment producer.
Nevertheless, with the possibility of acquittal looming, Yang Hyun-suk seems poised to erase his 'owner risk' and prepare for a return as the head of YG.
Yang has already hinted at his comeback as YG's Chief Producer by personally announcing the final debut members of the new girl group, BABYMONSTER, set to debut in September, through the YG channel. While the trial isn't over, it's evident that Yang is gearing up for a more active role in the industry.
The anticipation for YG's new girl group, BABYMONSTER (comprising members Ah-hyun, Ha-ram, Lo-ra, Pa-rita, Chi-kita, Lu-ka, and Asa), is already sky-high, especially since it's been about seven years since BLACKPINK's debut. Even before their official debut, their pre-debut song "DREAM" has surpassed 40 million views on YouTube and topped the Billboard Hot Trending Songs chart, showcasing their potential to dominate the 4th and 5th generation girl group competition.
