WM Entertainment manager revealed as suspect behind musical dressing room spy cam

K-pop agency WM Entertainment revealed Wednesday it was the recent employer of the suspect behind the spy cam found inside a musical actor's dressing room sofa.

[JOONGANG PHOTO]

K-pop agency WM Entertainment revealed Wednesday it was the recent employer of the suspect behind the spy cam found inside a musical actor's dressing room sofa.

“We deeply apologize to the actor and her agency, which have been affected by this incident,” it said in a statement.

WM’s response follows speculation Tuesday that a manager of an active K-pop group illegally planted a device to film a performer currently starring in the musical “Next to Normal,” at Kwanglim Arts Center in Gangnam District, southern Seoul. She reportedly found the device and informed the Seoul Gangnam Police on April 9.

The K-pop manager was removed from duty immediately and subsequently fired after WM became aware of the allegations, the agency said.

WM added that it also searched the places the manager had access to, including artists’ dormitories, offices and performance venues. It found no additional issues but said it would “keep an eye out on the matter” and “fully cooperate with the police investigation.”

WM represents K-pop acts like B1A4, Oh My Girl, ONF, Lee Chae-yeon and YooA.

"[WM] will train its employees better to ensure the safety of artists and staff," it concluded in its statement.

The Putlizer-winning rock musical tells the story of a middle-aged woman with chronic bipolar disorder, Diana Goodman, and her family who cope with her illness.

Actors Choi Jung-won and Bae Hae-sun alternate Diana; Lee Gun-myung and Michael Lee alternate her husband Dan; Sandeul, Yoo Hwe-seung and Hong Ki-beom alternate their son Gabe; Lee Seo-young and Kim Hwan-hee alternate Natalie; Kim Hyun-jin and Choi Jae-woong alternate Natalie's love interest Henry; and Park In-bae plays Diana's psychiatrist.

BY LEE JIAN [lee.jian@joongang.co.kr]