Lee Seung Gi started making donations using the unpaid earnings he finally received from his former agency, Hook Entertainment.
The buzz between Lee Seung Gi and his former agency started when the actor sent certification of contents as he sought disclosure of his earnings. The actor-singer reportedly did not receive any payment for his music releases in the past 18 years despite dropping a total of 27 albums and 137 songs.
It was revealed that his total music revenue was 9.6 billion KRW, approximately $7 million. There were also missing statements from June 2004 to August 2009, raising the amount to 10 billion KRW or $7.3 million.
After receiving the unpaid earnings, the My Girlfriend Is A Gumiho star started donating the amounts to the charities close to his heart.
Lee Seung Gi Donates to KAIST
KAIST confirmed on Friday that the tech university received 300 million won ($244,000) from Lee Seung Gi as a donation, Korea JoongAng Daily reported.
The school revealed that the Because You're My Woman hitmaker personally contacted KAIST President Lee Kwang Hyung to discuss the donation with him. The money will be used to build the New York campus, which is currently under development.
"I am honored to be able to donate to a school dedicated to nurturing talent," Lee Seung Gi said in a statement. "I have decided to donate to KAIST, hoping that Korea will become an educationally strong country."
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Lee Seung Gi also donated 2 billion KRW to Seoul National University Children's Hospital in December. He has been supporting and doing volunteer work for children in the past years. In recognition of his donation, a portion of the wards would be named after him.
Meanwhile, he marked his birthday on Jan. 13 by also donating to the Korean Red Cross. The 550 million won ($450,000) will reportedly be used to increase bloodmobiles across the country and to manage free food distribution buses.
Lee Seung Gi Starts Anew With One Man Agency
After leaving Hook Entertainment for good, Lee Seung Gi secured a contract with Human Made. He established the company last summer.
On Dec. 29, the company released a statement to confirm the development.
"Artist Lee Seung Gi has decided to continue his future promotions at the one-man company Human Made. We are sincerely happy to be able to relay the news of his new start. For artist Lee Seung Gi's new start, Human Made will give our full support," it said.
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