How Much Is the Yellow Watch MC Mong Wore at His Concert Amid 10 Billion Won Financial Dispute?... Only 50 Exist Worldwide

Suspected to Be Richard Mille "RM 27-03 Rafael Nadal"
Priced at USD 1.3–1.53 Million in Overseas Listings
Heightened Interest Amid Claims of Expensive Gifts from Chairman Cha

The ultra-high-end watch worn by singer MC Mong at his solo concert, his first in about four years, has become a hot topic online. On August 14 and 16, MC Mong held his solo concert, “A Midsummer Night’s Ice-kkaekki,” at YES24 Live Hall in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul. This was his first solo performance in about four years since 2022, and tickets for the concert, which went on sale last month, sold out in just about 1 minute and 30 seconds after opening.

Among watch enthusiasts, there is analysis that this product resembles the Swiss high-end watch brand Richard Mille's 'RM 27-03 Tourbillon Rafael Nadal' model. However, since neither MC Mong nor Richard Mille has confirmed the exact product name, it has not been verified whether it is the same model. SNS

After the concert, videos and photos from the scene spread through online communities and social media, drawing attention to the yellow watch on MC Mong’s wrist. Among watch enthusiasts, there has been analysis that the watch resembles the Swiss high-end watch brand Richard Mille’s ‘RM 27-03 Tourbillon Rafael Nadal’ model. However, since neither MC Mong nor Richard Mille has confirmed the exact product name, it has not been verified whether it is the same model.

The RM 27-03 is a model Richard Mille introduced in 2017 in collaboration with tennis star Rafael Nadal. It is characterized by its unique design using red and yellow, symbolizing Spain, and was produced in a limited run of only 50 units worldwide. It features a manual tourbillon movement and is engineered to withstand shocks of up to 10,000 G. Since 2010, Richard Mille has worked with Nadal to develop ultra-lightweight and highly durable watches that can even be worn during actual tennis matches. The price is at an entirely different level compared to ordinary luxury watches.

Singer MC Mong. Photo by Yonhap News

On Chrono24, one of the world’s largest watch trading platforms, the current asking price for the RM 27-03 varies significantly depending on the condition and included components. Recent actual sale prices include a listing at USD 1.3 million, and Chrono24’s model-specific pricing information currently indicates the RM 27-03 at about USD 1.53 million.

Applying the recent KRW-USD exchange rate, this translates to about 1.8 billion to 2.1 billion won. As a highly limited-edition piece, the price differs considerably according to the condition, the presence of items such as the warranty and box, and the timing of the transaction.

Interest in MC Mong’s ultra-high-end watch was heightened by recent discussions over his financial relationship with Chairman Cha of Piac Group and One Hundred Label, as expensive watches and vehicles became topics of debate. Earlier, in June, former reporter and YouTuber Lee Jin-ho published a list that he claimed to be the gifts MC Mong received from Chairman Cha, totaling KRW 10.35 billion. Items listed included a Rolls-Royce Cullinan for KRW 700 million, a Ferrari Roma for KRW 300 million, a Rolls-Royce Spectre for KRW 500 million, a Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen Classic for KRW 500 million, as well as a Richard Mille watch for KRW 5 billion, a Patek Philippe Tiffany for KRW 300 million, and an Audemars Piguet Gold for KRW 300 million.

The claims also mentioned a bed worth KRW 100 million, a Bang & Olufsen TV worth KRW 50 million, an LG rollable TV worth KRW 100 million, furniture valued at KRW 500 million and jewelry worth KRW 1 billion, as well as a KRW 1 billion deposit. At the time, representatives for MC Mong conveyed that, of these expensive items, Chairman Cha himself recovered or disposed of some and took the proceeds. It is also claimed that MC Mong still possesses certain watches, the bed, and some jewelry.

However, it has not been confirmed whether the RM 27-03, which appears to have been seen at this concert, is the same watch as the “Richard Mille worth KRW 5 billion” noted in the previously published gift list. According to the materials disclosed about the gifted items, prices were indicated, but specific product names or numbers were not provided. Therefore, it is difficult to conclude that the two watches are the same item.

Meanwhile, a monetary dispute valued at over KRW 10 billion has erupted between MC Mong and Chairman Cha. Chairman Cha has taken legal action against MC Mong demanding the return of KRW 12.06405 billion in loans, and since MC Mong did not file an objection within the court-designated period, the court’s payment order has reportedly been finalized. However, it has not been confirmed whether the costs of the previously mentioned gifts or the specific use of the loaned money are included in these loans.

The MBC program “PD Notebook” also focused on unresolved settlement issues involving One Hundred Label, as well as MC Mong and Chairman Cha’s overseas casino visits and financial dealings, on its June 2 episode subtitled “MC Mong and the Chairman’s K-pop Business Secrets.” The broadcast also raised questions about the two men’s private relationship. In response, MC Mong strongly refuted the allegations and materials presented on the broadcast, asserting that they were factually incorrect or fabricated. He particularly denied rumors of an inappropriate relationship with Chairman Cha and announced plans to file a KRW 100 billion damages lawsuit against the program’s producers and others following the broadcast of “PD Notebook.”

Despite the ongoing controversies and financial disputes, MC Mong returned to the stage for his first solo concert in about four years and achieved a sell-out. In this context, the ultra-luxury watch caught on his wrist during the performance has become more than just a fashion item, reigniting past controversies over expensive gifts involving Chairman Cha and drawing renewed public attention.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.