Lee Jin Ho was born in 1986 and is a famous comedian in кσяєα. He entered the entertainment industry in 2005 and appeared in many variety shows such as Knowing Bros, Battle Trip, Laughing, Troubled Man, Comedy Revenge, etc.
Since last year, this actor has been excluded from all shows and angered netizens when news of his bankruptcy due to gambling α∂∂ι¢тισи spread. In particular, the media also widely reported that Jimin became one of the celebrity victims who were scammed by Lee into borrowing money but did not pay it back.
In 2022, Lee Jin Ho approached the BTS superstar through many relationships and worked together on an episode of Knowing Bros. He told Jimin that he urgently needed to borrow 100 million KRW and promised to pay it back within a week.
Big Hit Music once confirmed that the two had written a loan agreement but Jimin did not receive a refund.
On the 17th of this month, six months after the Gangnam Police Station received a petition through the National Petition Center requesting a 'thorough investigation into Mr. Lee's gambling habits' and started investigating, the comedian Lee Jin Ho was transferred to the prosecution on charges of illegal gambling.
On the other hand, Mr. Lee was investigated by the ρσℓι¢є not only for gambling but also for suspected fraud. The ρσℓι¢є investigated that, in addition to Jimin, the comedian also borrowed money from other celebrities such as comedian Lee Soo Geun and singer Ha Sung Woon and loan sharks. The amount was approximately 2.3 billion KRW.
However, the fraud charge was reportedly rejected due to the lack of statements from the victim. Notably, Jimin's decision not to pursue legal action along with several other celebrities seems to have protected Lee from additional criminal charges.
Xports News reported that Big Hit Music confirmed that Jimin did not file an official ρσℓι¢є report or any charges regarding Lee Jin Ho's debt because he intended to repay the money (despite not completing now). The lack of statements from the victim could affect the severity of the prosecution's punishment for the comedian.
At the moment the news broke last year, кσяєαn media also reported on Jimin's act of kindness toward Lee Jin Ho. Realizing that he had no intention of paying back the money, Jimin still kindly said, "Please pay me back within 10 years".
Now, even as Lee Jin Ho faces legal action, Jimin continues to help him reduce the charge without providing further testimony. Despite the heavy financial losses, he treats his former colleague with tolerance, showing admirable character.
Meanwhile, Lee, who appeared at the ρσℓι¢є station and underwent a three-hour interrogation as a suspect, apologized on the 17th, saying, "I'm sorry for causing trouble again."
During the investigation, he admitted to most of the charges related to illegal gambling and expressed his intention to repay his debts. The ρσℓι¢є are also continuing their investigation into the gambling site Lee Jin Ho allegedly used. He and others are facing charges of operating illegal gambling establishments.
This is not the first illegal gambling case involving a celebrity. In 2013, announcer Yongman Kim was sentenced to 8 months in prison and 2 years of probation for illegal gambling worth 1 billion won, and S.E.S's Shoo was sentenced to 6 months in prison and 2 years of probation in 2018 for gambling about 800 million won overseas.
