BIGHIT MUSIC has addressed the financial losses incurred by Jimin after lending money to comedian Lee Jin Ho. The BTS member is just one of many celebrities who lent money to the controversial actor.
What Happened to Lee Jin Ho?
On October 14, Lee Jin Ho revealed that he had accumulated substantial debt due to illegal gambling, leading him to seek financial assistance from several individuals, including well-known celebrities. He claims to be repaying the debt steadily each month, with the intention of settling it in full. However, it was reported that the total debt amounts to hundreds of millions of won, affecting not just Jimin but also celebrities like Lee Soo Geun, Young Tak, Ha Sung Woon, and various broadcasting executives, producers, and writers.
Some of these individuals reportedly lent money to Lee without a promissory note, making them vulnerable to tax penalties. Since these transactions were classified as “gifts” rather than loans, they now face potential tax liabilities. In light of the situation, several celebrities have reportedly chosen to file fraud charges against the comedian, aiming to seize his appearance fees to recover their losses.
BIGHIT MUSIC Addresses Debt Issue
In Jimin’s case, the comedian approached him in 2022, requesting to borrow 100 million won (approximately $73,600) for a week, claiming urgent need. Despite signing a promissory note, Lee failed to repay the loan within the agreed time frame. As reported, Jimin concluded that Lee had no genuine intention of repaying the money and, in a gesture of leniency, told him to “just pay me back within 10 years.”
BIGHIT MUSIC confirmed the situation, stating, “It is indeed true that financial losses have occurred [to Jimin]. He lent money with a signed promissory note.”
Following the controversy, Lee Jin Ho has stepped down from his role on JTBC’s popular variety show “Knowing Bros” (also known as “Ask Us Anything”). Additionally, he did not attend the press conference for Netflix’s variety show “Comedy Revenge”, which was scheduled for the morning of October 14. The scandal has raised concerns about trust and financial accountability within the entertainment industry.
