BLACKPINK’s Jisoo. Yonhap News

The one-person agency ‘BLISSOO’ that BLACKPINK’s Jisoo ambitiously founded is facing a fierce storm. Behind her dazzling run as a global star, setbacks that expose the limits of management capability keep erupting, from a dispute with an overseas designer over unreturned outfits to legal risks involving her older brother. In particular, as past actions that directly contradict the agency’s explanations continue to surface, voices are calling for an urgent overhaul of the entire risk-management system.

■“Jisoo stole my belongings” An unusual disclosure by an overseas designer

On the 6th, designer Benjamin Bortmans, who leads the Antwerp, Belgium-based fashion brand ‘JUDASIM’, claimed on social media that some of the outfits sent for Jisoo’s album cover shoot have not been returned for six months.

Bortmans said, “Jisoo stole my things. It has already been six months since I sent the items for the album cover work,” adding, “The Korean team kept postponing the date, and no one answered as of today.” He further stated, “They are three very important pieces from my last collection, and they are expensive. I sent a contract to pursue legal action, but there was no response.”

As the controversy spread, he clarified, “I used Jisoo’s name to get a response from anyone on the team,” making it clear this was not a personal attack on Jisoo, yet he also said, “Not being respected for six months is terrible. I will not apologize,” criticizing BLISSOO’s working-level staff for an irresponsible attitude. Jisoo’s side remains silent, making it difficult to avoid criticism of a ‘lack of global etiquette’.

■An agency insisting it is ‘unrelated’… mounting signs of ‘family management’

The most critical risk concerns judicial suspicions related to her older brother and the agency’s contradictory response to them. Jisoo’s older brother was recently arrested on the spot on suspicion of sexually harassing a BJ, and further became the focus of controversy as his wife accused him of domestic violence.

Eun Hyun-Ho, an attorney at Kim & Chang and BLISSOO’s legal representative, drew a firm line, saying, “The current matter is entirely unrelated to the artist and to BLISSOO,” and, “No family member has received compensation or participated in decision-making.” Public sentiment, however, is cold. Right after the agency’s statement, it was observed that in the production credits of Netflix’s ‘Monthly Boyfriend’ and Coupang Play’s ‘Newtopia’, which feature Jisoo, the older brother’s name, previously listed as ‘management representative’, was suddenly deleted or modified.

Among netizens, suspicions arose that “they effectively ran it as a family business and, once problems emerged, moved to obliterate the record.” In fact, the revelation that, in BLISSOO’s early days, ‘BioMom’, a health-functional-food company run by her older brother, directly posted job listings for BLISSOO’s working-level staff, renders the agency’s claim of managerial independence unconvincing.

■A system breakdown caused by a lack of expertise… the limits of a one-person agency

Industry observers view this situation as bringing to the surface the chronic problem of one-person agencies: a ‘lack of expertise’. The management that should protect the artist’s image instead appears to be amplifying risk.

Indeed, noise has continued, including speculation about pressure from the agency after the production team of SBS’s ‘Curious Story Y’ posted and then abruptly deleted a notice seeking tips related to the case involving Jisoo’s older brother. Moreover, whenever controversy grows, responses such as canceling press briefings or going to ground rather than presenting fundamental solutions can only damage the external value of Jisoo, who serves as a global ambassador.

An entertainment industry source advised, “For a global star’s one-person agency, it is essential to break away from family-centered, closed operations and build a risk-management system led by a vetted group of professionals. Continuing with an approach characterized by ‘denial and deletion’ will only deepen public distrust.”

As Jisoo steps out from the protective shield of a major agency to go solo, how she overcomes these harsh growing pains, and how BLISSOO establishes a transparent governance structure, are more urgent than ever.