SEOUL: Former K-pop idol Kenta, who gained fame on Mnet’s survival audition programme Produce 101 Season 2, has revealed the staggering extent of his financial struggles following a bitter legal dispute with his former agency.
After Produce 101, Kenta debuted in the project group JBJ before forming the duo JBJ95 alongside Kim Sangkyun.
According to The Chosun Daily, both members later filed a lawsuit to terminate their exclusive contracts, prompting their former agency to respond with a counter-suit for damages.
Although the court ultimately declared the contracts invalid, it held the members primarily responsible for the breach and ordered them to pay compensation.
Speaking candidly on the YouTube channel ICU, the singer opened up about the severe hardship that followed. “While I was an idol and left the company, I ended up with debt—4 billion won (about RM12.1 million),” Kenta explained, adding that the immense financial burden left him feeling a heavy sense of responsibility to clear the sum.
The legal ruling escalated rapidly, leading to the seizure of his personal assets and the freezing of his finances. “A lot remains. After the debt, I faced asset seizures, and suddenly my bank account was gone, leaving me with only a 1,000-won bill (around RM3),” he recalled, sharing how he was forced to focus purely on day-to-day survival.
During his darkest days, senior colleagues stepped in to ensure he had basic food.
“Senior brothers and sisters sent me rice, saying, ‘You have to eat to live.’ I believe everyone has debts in life. Even receiving help from others is a form of debt. I think repaying such grace is how to live a good life,” he said.
The ordeal took a heavy toll on his mental health, triggering severe burnout and making him reconsider his entire career.
“I once thought about quitting entirely. I felt like being an idol didn’t suit me, and I experienced burnout. For the first time in my life, I lost my direction,” he admitted.
Refusing to back down, Kenta is now focused on clearing his debts while maintaining a remarkably positive outlook on the future.
“That’s why I’m grateful for this debt. It drives me to move forward. My life isn’t smooth, and that’s why I like it.”