The successful debut of 13-year-old Chinese member aijing in the K-pop group A2O LITE is overshadowed by a serious salary debt scandal involving her family. On debut day, October 13, her parents' company, Beijing Sophiès Education Technology Co., Ltd., was reported to owe significant wages, estimated at around 3.45 million RMB. The company's CEO, her mother Zhang Jing (holding 97% stake), and her father Sheng Jiachuan (as the supervisor) faced court enforcement orders. Financial difficulties have plagued the company, which operates in educational and corporate consulting, since 2024, leading to their luxury spending restrictions, according to an August court ruling.
Background and Public Reaction
Apologizing on October 14, a self-identified mother of aijing clarified that the company's financial crisis, due to declining business operations, was unrelated to her daughter and promised to resolve the payment issues responsibly. However, public skepticism persists. Some argue that a child's career prospects cannot be disassociated from their family's financial stability. Critics, such as those from Channel Knews (affiliated with Shanghai Broadcasting), lambasted the misallocation of funds, where salaries were allegedly diverted to stage lighting and overseas training instead of being paid. The ongoing debate highlights the tension between entrepreneurial struggles and parental responsibilities in talent development.
Economic and Ethical Implications
This incident underscores broader issues in the management of family businesses, particularly regarding conflicts of interest and debt management. The company's multifaceted operations across food service, education, and day care, along with its rapid payment defaults, exemplify challenges many SMEs face. As a young artist gaining global recognition, aijing's situation has triggered discussions about the ethics of using personal ambitions to offset business failings, while emphasizing the fragile coexistence of Fame and Family Finance within the entertainment industry.