Pooh Lunt’s Power Move: Why the Music Mogul Offered to Pay NewJeans’ $3.75M Fine

 

In a bold and calculated gesture, American music executive Paul “Pooh” Lunt has reportedly offered to pay the $750,000-per-member fine issued to NewJeans following their controversial Hong Kong showcase—totaling a staggering $3.75 million.

But behind this headline-making offer lies a much deeper strategy. According to multiple entertainment insiders, this move may not simply be about generosity—it’s part of a larger vision to elevate Popolo Music Group and cement Lunt’s position as a leading force in the global music industry.

Lunt, who resides in Korea and has deep roots in the Asian music scene, is known for helping launch Gangnam Style into global stardom and for his current mission to transform Philippine pop music (P-Pop) into a dominant international genre. Now, he may be eyeing NewJeans as the big-name act to anchor his rising label and boost the visibility of his emerging Filipino artist roster.

The Controversy That Sparked a Power Play

The fine stems from NewJeans’ participation in the NJZ showcase in Hong Kong, an event ruled to be in violation of existing restrictions tied to their ongoing dispute with ADOR. Industry chatter suggests the event was organized and promoted by Lunt’s team under Popolo Live, his global concert and touring brand set to launch in 2025.

What initially appeared as a legal misstep may now be reframed as a strategic collaboration in progress, with Lunt stepping in not only to take responsibility, but to offer NewJeans a way out—and a way forward.

“Pooh isn’t just paying a fine—he’s making a statement,” one Seoul-based executive said. “He’s offering an alternative vision for how artists can work, tour, and thrive.”

Popolo Music and the Rise of P-Pop

At the center of this play is Popolo Music Group, Lunt’s independent label dedicated to artist empowerment, publishing rights, and international crossover—especially for Filipino talent. Yet despite a strong roster and a compelling mission, Lunt knows that every movement needs a headline name. In NewJeans, he sees more than a girl group—he sees a global brand capable of launching Popolo’s identity worldwide.

“If Lunt brings NewJeans under the Popolo banner—formally or as a co-touring act—it immediately boosts every artist on his label,” said a K-pop analyst in Seoul. “It legitimizes P-Pop in the eyes of fans and industry players alike.”

Popolo Live: A Touring Model Built for Freedom

NewJeans, who have reportedly faced internal agency conflict and creative restrictions, may find Lunt’s model particularly appealing. Popolo Live is positioned as an artist-first touring platform offering:

• Creative control
• Revenue-sharing models
• Global branding partnerships
• Exposure across Southeast Asia, Europe, and North America

It’s a powerful proposition—especially for artists seeking ownership and artistic autonomy in an industry that often demands the opposite.

A New Era of Asian Pop Collaboration?

Whether NewJeans officially signs with Popolo or simply co-headlines an upcoming tour, the broader implications are clear: Pooh Lunt is positioning himself as the architect of a new cross-Asian music era—one where P-pop and K-pop don’t compete but collaborate.

“Lunt’s not chasing headlines,” said one of his longtime associates. “He’s building something that will outlast the hype.”

And in doing so, he’s becoming more than a behind-the-scenes figure—he’s becoming the name to watch in a global music industry hungry for evolution.