The details surrounding Shin Eun-ha's comeback rumors after 22 years have been revealed. Both Shin Eun-ha, who was drawn out by the sudden comeback rumors, and the production company Bipom Studio that announced Shin Eun-ha's return were victims of this situation.
According to the Herald Economy on the 3rd, the 1st Criminal Division of the Uijeongbu District Court's Goyang branch (Director General Kim Hee-soo) sentenced a person identified as A, who claimed to be acting on behalf of Shin Eun-ha, to 2 years and 6 months in prison with a 4-year probation. Charges of fraud, forgery of private documents, and other charges against A were all recognized as guilty under the Act on the Punishment of Specific Economic Crimes.
The rumors of Shin Eun-ha's comeback began in February 2023 when Bipom Studio distributed an official press release stating, "We signed a contract for participation with actress Shin Eun-ha last year (2022) and paid the contract fee. We aim to finalize and produce a comeback project this year," adding, "It is an honor to be able to accompany the greatest actor of the time, Shin Eun-ha, in her return to acting activities."
Shin Eun-ha retired from the entertainment industry in 2001 after her last film, "Interview," in 2000. However, the ongoing rumors of Shin Eun-ha's return captivated the public, and they allowed a glimpse into the extent of the syndrome she had caused.
Amid all the buzz surrounding the rumors of Shin Eun-ha's comeback after 22 years, her side immediately denied the rumors. Clover Company, which is in charge of managing Shin Eun-ha, rebutted, "We have never had contact with Bipom Studio. We have neither received a participation contract nor any contract fee."
In response, Bipom Studio stated, "In February 2022, A, who claimed to be Shin Eun-ha's agent, signed a contract with the company represented by the CEO, and paid 1.5 billion won out of a total appearance fee of 3 billion won. However, A's claim that they had legitimate agency authority concerning Shin Eun-ha and that they delivered the contract fee was false."
Subsequently, Bipom Studio stated that they too were deceived by A and expressed, "We sincerely apologize for causing trouble to Shin Eun-ha," bowing their heads. However, Shin Eun-ha's side conveyed, "We also view Bipom as being in cahoots with A," leading to a battle of truth.
According to the trial, both Shin Eun-ha and Bipom were victims, indicating that this was a fraud committed solely by A. A falsely claimed to an employee of Bipom in 2022 that they were very close to Shin Eun-ha's husband, former National Assembly member Ji Sang-wook, and that a contract was established, leading Bipom to be deceived.
A is reported to have deceived Bipom with a false power of attorney containing Shin Eun-ha's name, resident registration number, address, etc., and when their lies were revealed, they admitted it and returned all of the 1.65 billion won received from Bipom.
The court also considered this, stating, "A has fully acknowledged and reflected on the crimes, repaid all 1.65 billion won to the victim company, and has no previous convictions exceeding fines for similar offenses," resulting in a sentence of probation. The ruling was confirmed as neither the prosecution nor A appealed.
Meanwhile, Shin Eun-ha, who debuted in 1993 with MBC's "Three Families Under One Roof," gained immense popularity as a youth star with dramas such as "The Last Battle," "M," "If You Love Me," "The Beautiful Her," "Midnight 3.98," and "Youth Trap," as well as films like "Christmas in August" and "Zoo Next to the Art Museum." After retiring in 2001, she garnered attention by announcing her marriage to former Yeouido Institute Director Ji Sang-wook, and she gave birth to two daughters in 2006 and 2007.
[Photo] Movie stills, drama captures.
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