Reports State Pledis CEO Han Sung Soo Took Royalties For IZ*ONE's Songs Under Wife's Name

Han Sung Soo, the CEO of Pledis Entertainment, is reported to have unfairly profited from royalties of IZ*ONE’s music.

On May 26, Dispatch released an exclusive report that the CEO had claimed to have been involved in writing lyrics for eight of IZ*ONE’s songs under the name “So Jay.” According to the report, “We Together,” a song that had been created for Mnet’s “Produce 48” and released in September 2018, did not credit So Jay at the time of its release, but the name was included when the same song was released in October in IZ*ONE’s first mini album “COLOR*IZ.”

So Jay is also credited in IZ*ONE’s second mini album “HEART*IZ” as having participated in writing lyrics for “Violeta,” as well as songs like “Destiny,” “Pink Blusher,” and “Open Your Eyes” on IZ*ONE’s first studio album “BLOOM*IZ.” According to Dispatch’s reporting, So Jay’s share in “Pink Blusher” is set at 1.5 times larger than others who are credited for the song.

Dispatch reported, “The identity behind So Jay is the wife of Pledis Entertainment CEO Han Sung Soo, and her work experience consists of her being a visual director. She has no experience in music,” and “So Jay is unfairly profiting from royalties. So Jay did not actually participate in creating songs for IZ*ONE’s album and has no right to claim any ownership over the eight songs.”

Han Sung Soo was the general producer for IZ*ONE until he stepped down from the position in March 2020. Pledis Entertainment responded to Dispatch’s report and stated, “It was CEO Han Sung Soo who participated in the songs, and he made the decision to use his wife’s name and not his own.”

Han Sung Soo also stated, “I personally participated in the music creation process. Despite this, it was still thoughtless of me to receive royalties under my wife’s name.” He added, “All I wanted was to be compensated for my work. I wanted to be recognized for my participation. I did not think it through. I was greedy and did not uphold the dignity that a producer should have. I apologize.”

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