Actor Hwang Jung-eum has confirmed that she has completed the repayment of approximately 4.3 billion won related to the embezzlement charges against the family corporation Hunminjeongeum Entertainment. Just a month ago, her stance was that she had 'repaid a significant portion,' but she has now settled all outstanding amounts and concluded her financial responsibilities.
Hwang Jung-eum's current agency, Y1 Entertainment, stated to OSEN on the 17th, "Ms. Hwang disposed of her private assets and fully repaid the amount in two installments on May 30 and June 5, and all financial relations with Hunminjeongeum Entertainment have been settled."
Hwang Jung-eum was indicted on May 15 for investing the company's funds in virtual currency through her one-person agency, Hunminjeongeum Entertainment, which she founded in 2022. It is known that most of the approximately 4.3 billion won was lost after being invested in cryptocurrency.
Regardless of the legality, the lack of accounting and tax knowledge in the 'celebrity company' has caused significant controversy, and this incident has severely damaged Hwang Jung-eum's image. She was edited out of the entertainment program 'Solo-ra-seo' and officially apologized through her agency, stating, "I am ashamed and sorry."
However, after the news of her full repayment in about a month, public attention is again focused on Hwang Jung-eum's substantial assets. Earlier, it was reported that Hwang Jung-eum holds significant real estate assets in the divorce process with her ex-husband Lee Young-don. Estimates suggest that her real estate assets alone amount to about 10 billion won, including a detached house worth 4.65 billion won in Itaewon and a building purchased for 6.2 billion won in Sinsa-dong.
In response, internet users expressed surprise at her wealth, saying things like, "The saying that worrying about celebrities is the most unnecessary applies here," "Repayment of 4.3 billion won in a month? She must have been rich," "They said her real estate was close to 10 billion won; it seems like she paid it off easily," "A mistake is a mistake, but it's fortunate the repayment was quick," and "Just because she repaid doesn't mean everything is over," highlighting the moral responsibility.
Hwang Jung-eum stated through her agency, "As the owner of a one-person corporation, I lacked tax knowledge, not being a professional manager," and noted, "In the future, I will seek professional help to regain trust." Attention is focused on how this full repayment will impact the outcome of the criminal trial.
[OSEN]