Popera singer Lim Hyung-ju rebuked subcontractor Ildong's rebuttal regarding unpaid construction payments with a further rebuttal.
On the 3rd, Lim Hyung-ju's agency Digi&Com said, "We express deep regret that Ildong's rebuttal, issued a full month after the agency (DigiNCom Co., Ltd.) publicly released its official rebuttal statement on March 5 ahead of an official position announcement, can only be interpreted as a repeated attempt to tarnish Lim Hyung-ju's image."
Lim Hyung-ju's side said, "Items 1, 2 and 3 of subcontractor Ildong's rebuttal contain no new factual information beyond what was widely reported by the media on March 5. Nevertheless, we cannot erase the suspicion that the media repeatedly recycled that material as a means and purpose of tarnishing Lim Hyung-ju's image," adding, "In addition, the claim in item 4 that 'the 15.2 billion won sale claim is an impractical, time-buying response' and the claim in item 5 are extremely one-sided assertions by subcontractor Ildong that legally cannot prove any objective basis."
They continued, "Ildong's rebuttal, issued a month later with no new content, is nothing more than repeated press release distribution intended to deliberately tarnish a celebrity's image through media play."
Lim Hyung-ju's side added, "From today onward, we will not distribute any official statements related to this case in response to repeated press releases aimed at tarnishing a public figure's image based on Ildong's unilateral claims. If they feel wronged, they should seek justice through proper legal channels."
With Embla Bird, where Lim Hyung-ju and his brother serve as inside directors, reported to have failed to pay more than 800 million won in construction payments to subcontractors while creating Seoul Popera House, Lim Hyung-ju's side said, "The subcontractor payment issue is a matter that company A (the primary contractor), which already received the construction payments, must resolve with the subcontractors, and it has nothing to do with Lim Hyung-ju."
In response, subcontractor Ildong said, "It is an established fact in court that Embla Bird Co., where Lim Hyung-ju serves as an inside director, did not pay more than 800 million won in construction payments to the primary contractor (Woongjin Industrial Development Co.). Nevertheless, Lim Hyung-ju's side is distorting the facts by claiming that there are no unpaid amounts from Embla Bird and saying that 'this is an issue the primary contractor (Woongjin Industrial Development Co.) must resolve,' and they are making the false claim that 'the payments were paid in full.'"
The following is the full statement from Lim Hyung-ju's side
Hello.
This is Lim Hyung-ju's agency, DigiNCom Co., Ltd.
We are delivering the agency's official position regarding Ildong's belated rebuttal, which is presumed to have been distributed to the media today, April 3, 2026.
First, we express deep regret that Ildong's rebuttal, issued a full month after the agency (DigiNCom Co., Ltd.) publicly released its official rebuttal statement on March 5 ahead of an official position announcement, can only be interpreted as a repeated attempt to tarnish Lim Hyung-ju's image.
Items 1, 2 and 3 of subcontractor Ildong's rebuttal contain no new factual information beyond what was widely reported by the media on March 5. Nevertheless, we cannot erase the suspicion that the media repeatedly recycled that material as a means and purpose of tarnishing Lim Hyung-ju's image.
In addition, the claim in item 4 that "the 15.2 billion won sale claim is an impractical, time-buying response" and the claim in item 5 are extremely one-sided assertions by subcontractor Ildong that legally cannot prove any objective basis.
Lim Hyung-ju's side is outraged that their goodwill—attempting to prioritize repayment through building sale even at the risk of double payment of construction costs—is being denounced, slandered and distorted as their unilateral claim without legal basis.
Finally, Ildong's rebuttal, issued a month later with no new content, is nothing more than repeated press release distribution intended to deliberately tarnish a celebrity's image through media play.
We also issue a final warning to Ildong, which is still continuously staging illegal solo protests in front of Seoul Popera House.
From today onward, Lim Hyung-ju's side will not distribute any official statements related to this case in response to repeated press releases aimed at tarnishing a public figure's image based on Ildong's unilateral claims.
If they feel wronged, they should seek justice through proper legal channels.
In addition, we will swiftly launch strong legal action regarding deliberate defamation and slander against Lim Hyung-ju and the illegal protests in front of his home from this time forward.
Thank you.
[OSEN]