"Finalizing divorce"... Hwang Jung-eum, can she recover her image ahead of the lifting of the provisional seizure?
Once recognized as "a woman confident before divorce," actress Hwang Jung-eum is suffering a significant blow to her image due to successive controversies. Recently caught up in a 4.3 billion won embezzlement scandal involving her family corporation, her appearances in entertainment shows have been entirely edited out, and ads featuring her have been completely removed, elevating her status to that of a 'nuisance.' Can she recover her image?
Earlier, Hwang Jung-eum was indicted for embezzling approximately 4.34 billion won in company funds through a one-person agency in which she holds 100% of the equity, with 4.2 billion won reportedly invested in cryptocurrency, resulting in losses. Although the embezzlement came to light belatedly, its impact was reflected immediately. In the final airing of the SBS Plus and E Channel entertainment program "Because I'm Single," where Hwang was an MC, all VCRs were excluded and comments were minimized, leading to humiliating conditions.
The production team noted, "Hwang Jung-eum's video will be excluded from today's broadcast. The MC's comments will also be minimized for the broadcast," effectively erasing any trace of Hwang Jung-eum. This program was her return project after the divorce and had received good reactions as she sincerely confessed her views on love and life. However, following the embezzlement controversy, the focus shifted from the program's conclusion to whether Hwang Jung-eum would be edited out, ultimately resulting in this embarrassing edit.
The advertising industry also began to distance itself from Hwang Jung-eum. An advertisement utilizing the world view of "High Kick Through the Roof," released on the 12th, was completely removed from official channels. By causing harm to broadcasts, advertisements, and fellow contributors, Hwang has seemingly fallen into the category of an urgent 'nuisance protagonist' in need of image recovery.
Additionally, Hwang Jung-eum had previously been embroiled in asset issues during her divorce from Lee Young-don. She drew public attention by openly stating that she has more assets, and she has garnered media spotlight as a wealth holder owning expensive real estate, including a standalone house in Itaewon, Seoul. However, the ongoing legal battles surrounding approximately 1.8 billion won in property seizures and embezzlement allegations have rapidly undermined this image.
However, Hwang's side has stated that they will "quickly repay" the remaining unpaid amount of around 1 billion won, expressing their commitment to fulfilling legal responsibilities. In fact, they have already repaid more than two-thirds of the embezzled amount, and the divorce process is reported to have been smoothly concluded with the court's mediation decision on May 26. Accordingly, the seizure of the real estate is expected to be lifted soon.
Despite the controversies surrounding her private life, the divorce process is coming to an end, and the property seizure is expected to be lifted. As legal issues are being resolved one by one, public attention is on whether this could lead to Hwang Jung-eum's image recovery and return to activities, with her gradually tackling these issues.
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