The woman behind a K-pop empire — and its stunning collapse

Cha Ga-won, CEO of One Hundred Label, was detained Monday on fraud charges involving some 30 billion won ($21 million), leaving the K-pop industry scrambling to understand how a real estate mogul built a multilabel entertainment empire in record time — and lost it just as quickly. Cha's ties to the entertainment world, however, predated the label — and were controversial from the start. In 2023, following a dispute with SM Entertainment, Exo EXO K-POP GROUP EXO is a globally influential K-pop boy group known for powerful vocals, polished performances, and a strong legacy in modern K-pop. Since debuting in 2012, EXO has shaped the sound and visuals of an entire generation. 's Baekhyun established his own company, One Signature