MC Mong Shades THE BOYZ, Exposes Gambling Ring Members, And An Attempted Lure Onto EXO’s Baekhyun

In a wide-ranging and contentious livestream broadcast on May 18, 2026, the veteran South Korean artist and producer MC Mong, born Shin Dong-hyun, addressed a series of escalating controversies that have personal, professional, and legal implications for several high-profile figures in the K-pop industry. During the broadcast, MC Mong sought to clarify his past legal battles, exposed details regarding a multi-billion-dollar illegal gambling syndicate, and leveled serious financial accusations against the boy group THE BOYZ and corporate figures associated with his former business ventures. The livestream, which comes amid an ongoing investigation by MBC’s investigative program PD’s Notebook, marks a significant escalation in the public discourse surrounding the management company ONE HUNDRED and its internal fractures.

Readdressing the Military Exemption Controversy

MC Mong began his broadcast by revisiting the 2010 scandal that effectively halted his mainstream career for years: allegations that he intentionally extracted healthy teeth to avoid mandatory military service. While he was eventually cleared of the specific charge of violating the Military Service Act through intentional tooth extraction, he was found guilty of delaying his enlistment on false grounds.

In his latest statement, MC Mong asserted that the narrative surrounding the tooth extraction was more complex than previously understood. He claimed that at the time of the scandal, he already possessed medical grounds for a military exemption due to a herniated disc and a torn ligament in his knee. However, he alleged that his legal team at the time directed him to follow a specific "script" during the investigation and subsequent trial. This revelation suggests a strategic legal failure or a mismanaged public relations defense that MC Mong now claims obscured the underlying physical ailments that would have legally disqualified him from service regardless of his dental health.

Allegations of Framed Misconduct and Personal Defamation

The livestream further delved into allegations of personal misconduct, specifically regarding rumors of his involvement with prostitution. MC Mong vehemently denied these claims, characterizing them as a coordinated character assassination campaign. He specifically identified the uncle of Cha Ga Won—the Chairman of ONE HUNDRED with whom MC Mong has had a long-standing business relationship—as the architect of these rumors.

According to MC Mong, a photograph that circulated online showing him in an elevator with his then-girlfriend was intentionally misrepresented. He alleged that Cha Ga Won’s uncle framed the image to suggest that the woman in the photo was a prostitute. MC Mong asserted that this was part of a broader effort to tarnish his reputation and exert pressure on him during internal corporate disputes.

Financial Conflict with THE BOYZ and ONE HUNDRED

One of the most significant portions of the broadcast focused on the financial arrangements involving the K-pop group THE BOYZ. The group, which debuted under Cre.ker Entertainment (later IST Entertainment), reportedly signed with ONE HUNDRED in December 2024 after their previous contracts expired.

MC Mong disclosed that ONE HUNDRED offered each of the 11 members a sign-on guarantee of 1.50 billion KRW (approximately $1.00 million USD). This total investment of 16.5 billion KRW was, according to MC Mong, three times the amount offered by their previous agency, IST Entertainment. He expressed deep frustration and "shock" over the group’s subsequent decision to distance themselves from the company, questioning the ethics of their departure given the substantial financial commitment made by ONE HUNDRED.

This conflict has already spilled over into the legal sphere. Currently, ONE HUNDRED is embroiled in litigation with several of its affiliated artists. Most notably, THE BOYZ have reportedly filed a lawsuit against the company alleging embezzlement. MC Mong’s livestream appears to be a counter-offensive, framing the group as ungrateful for the record-breaking financial terms they were granted upon joining the label.

Exposure of a Multi-Billion-Dollar Illegal Gambling Ring

The most legally sensitive portion of MC Mong’s livestream involved the exposure of an alleged illegal gambling ring. He claimed that a syndicate involving billions of won has been operating within the industry’s periphery. MC Mong specifically named two individuals: the secretary of Cha Ga Won’s uncle and the CEO of the agency representing trot singer Kim Ho Joong.

Furthermore, MC Mong alluded to the involvement of two other prominent figures: a "relatively well-known singer" and a "veteran actor" who reportedly maintained a five-year romantic relationship with Cha Ga Won. While he stopped short of naming these two individuals during the live broadcast, he issued a direct challenge, stating that he would reveal their identities in court should any of the named parties attempt to sue him for defamation.

The inclusion of Kim Ho Joong’s agency CEO in these allegations adds a layer of complexity, as that agency has already been under intense public and legal scrutiny following previous controversies involving the singer. MC Mong’s claims suggest that the financial irregularities within certain entertainment circles may be linked to broader criminal enterprises, including high-stakes illegal gambling.

Alleged Recruitment of EXO’s Baekhyun into Gambling Activities

Perhaps the most startling allegation made by MC Mong involved Baekhyun, a member of the global K-pop group EXO and the founder of the independent label INB100. MC Mong claimed that Cha Ga Won’s uncle attempted to lure Baekhyun into the gambling ring by inviting him on a trip to Las Vegas.

According to the livestream, the uncle offered Baekhyun 1.00 billion KRW (approximately $668,000 USD) as an incentive to join the trip and participate in gambling activities. MC Mong’s statement implies that there was a concerted effort to compromise high-profile idols by involving them in illegal financial activities. Under South Korean law, the "Habitual Gambling" statute applies to citizens even when they are in jurisdictions where gambling is legal, such as Nevada. Involvement in such activities could result in severe criminal penalties and the total collapse of a celebrity’s career.

Contextual Background: The Rise and Fall of ONE HUNDRED

To understand the weight of these allegations, it is necessary to examine the history of ONE HUNDRED. Founded in 2023 by MC Mong and Chairman Cha Ga Won, the company was positioned as a major new player in the entertainment industry, acquiring various subsidiaries and signing established talent. However, the partnership between MC Mong and Cha Ga Won has been plagued by rumors of internal strife, alleged affairs, and financial mismanagement.

The company is currently facing multiple legal battles. The embezzlement lawsuit filed by THE BOYZ is particularly damaging, as it suggests that the massive sign-on bonuses mentioned by MC Mong may not have been handled with the transparency required by South Korean corporate law. The fallout from these disputes has created a rift in the industry, with ONE HUNDRED’s stability now in question.

Chronology of Key Events

The following timeline outlines the events leading up to the May 18 livestream:

• 2010: MC Mong faces trial for military enlistment evasion; he is cleared of the tooth extraction charge but convicted of obstructing official duties.
• 2023: MC Mong and Cha Ga Won co-found ONE HUNDRED, aiming to consolidate several entertainment subsidiaries.
• December 2024: THE BOYZ officially leave IST Entertainment and sign with ONE HUNDRED under a reported multi-billion won guarantee.
• 2025 – Early 2026: Rumors of a fallout between MC Mong and Chairman Cha Ga Won emerge; legal disputes begin with affiliated artists.
• May 2026: MBC’s PD’s Notebook begins an investigation into MC Mong’s business dealings and past scandals.
• May 18, 2026: MC Mong holds a livestream to "set the record straight," making allegations regarding gambling, THE BOYZ, and Baekhyun.

Industry Implications and Analysis

The revelations made by MC Mong have sent shockwaves through the K-pop industry, highlighting several systemic issues:

1. Financial Transparency: The disclosure of a 1.5 billion KRW guarantee per member for an 11-member group highlights the astronomical costs of "poaching" or transitioning established groups. If these funds were mismanaged or embezzled, it points to a lack of oversight in mid-sized entertainment agencies.
2. Celebrity Vulnerability: The allegation that a veteran industry figure tried to lure a star like Baekhyun into illegal gambling with a massive cash incentive suggests that even top-tier idols are targeted by predatory actors within the industry’s inner circles.
3. Legal Strategy and Truth-Defamation: In South Korea, defamation laws can apply even if the statements made are true. By challenging his detractors to sue him so he can reveal more names, MC Mong is utilizing a high-risk legal strategy. He is essentially betting that the threat of discovery in a courtroom will prevent his targets from taking legal action.
4. The Role of Investigative Journalism: The fact that these revelations were prompted by an investigation from PD’s Notebook indicates that mainstream media outlets are digging deeper into the financial structures of K-pop, moving beyond the surface-level glamour to investigate potential criminal ties.

Official Responses and Current Status

As of the time of reporting, representatives for THE BOYZ have not issued a detailed rebuttal to the specific financial figures mentioned by MC Mong, though they remain firm in their legal action regarding embezzlement. A spokesperson for Baekhyun’s label, INB100, has not commented on the alleged Las Vegas recruitment offer, though the artist has previously emphasized his commitment to ethical management and independence.

Legal experts suggest that MC Mong’s broadcast could lead to a series of witness summons and further investigations by the prosecution into the alleged gambling ring. If the names of the "veteran actor" and "well-known singer" are revealed, the impact on the entertainment industry could be unprecedented.

The situation remains fluid as authorities and the public await potential legal filings from the parties named in the broadcast. MC Mong’s decision to "share what he knows" has fundamentally shifted the narrative surrounding his own career and opened a Pandora’s box of allegations that may take years for the South Korean legal system to resolve.