Major Scandal Hits a Korean Comedy Veteran
Hey everyone! Some pretty serious news just dropped in the Korean entertainment world. Veteran comedian Lee Hyuk-jae, a familiar face on Korean TV for years, is being investigated by the police for fraud. This comes after an asset management firm filed a lawsuit against him back in July, and the details are just now coming to light.
The accusation is that he borrowed a hefty 300 million won (that’s roughly $225,000 USD) in 2023 and has failed to pay it back. This isn’t just a simple loan dispute; it’s got layers that make it a much bigger deal.
What’s the Big Deal?
So, what makes this case extra spicy is *how* the company claims he got the loan. At the time, Lee Hyuk-jae was serving as an unpaid, honorary special advisor for media content for the city of Incheon. The lawsuit alleges that he used this position, promising the company he could pull strings and grant them business rights for upcoming projects in the city, to secure the funds.
The loan was reportedly given in two parts in 2023: 150 million won on August 30th and another 150 million won on November 24th. The accusers also claim he asked for money for business-related drinking sessions.
Lee Hyuk-jae’s Side of the Story
Of course, there are two sides to every story. Lee Hyuk-jae has been questioned by the police and has denied the more serious allegations. He reportedly admitted to borrowing the money, but he insists it was a loan to his company, not to him personally. He also denies that he ever used his advisory title to promise any business favors.
He explained that he has money incoming from winning a separate lawsuit, but procedural delays have held up the payment, which is why he hasn’t been able to repay the loan yet.
A History of Financial Troubles
Unfortunately for Lee, this isn’t the first time he’s been in the headlines for money problems. He’s faced several legal battles over financial issues in the past. In 2017, he lost a civil lawsuit for failing to repay about 240 million won to his former agency. In 2015, he was also sued over a 200 million won debt to an acquaintance, though that complaint was later withdrawn. This history definitely makes the public a bit more skeptical this time around.
The police are currently investigating both sides’ claims to figure out what really happened. It’s a messy situation, and it’s sad to see a once-beloved comedian caught up in another controversy. We’ll have to wait and see how the investigation unfolds!
