Actor Hwang Jung-eum has been suffering emotionally from a series of controversies since the new year. A free giveaway of toys used for her two sons unexpectedly drew criticism, and on the same day news emerged of a provisional seizure of a single-family dwelling in Itaewon amid conflicts with her former agency.
On the 12th Hwang Jung-eum posted on her personal social media, "I'm giving away toys for free. These are toys my child used cleanly; please take them if you need them," and released photos. She gathered various toys her two sons had used—dinosaurs · fire trucks · robots · cars—and announced the place and time so anyone could take them. She explained that because the children had outgrown the toys, she decided to give them away for a good cause.
However, reactions were mixed after the photos were released. The sight of the toys among what looked like furniture destined for disposal, piled on a plastic sheet on bare ground, prompted criticism that it was "insincere." Opinions followed that although the items were for children, they appeared lacking in organization or sorting, and critical sentiment grew on online communities. Responses included "good intention but the method is disappointing" and "there's no consideration for the recipients."
Before the controversy had subsided, news about her assets surfaced. On the 13th, Hwang Jung-eum's former agency, Y1 Entertainment, issued an official position regarding the provisional seizure of the single-family dwelling in Itaewon. Y1 Entertainment said, "We respect the court's decision concerning the ongoing legal proceedings," and added, "Specific details are difficult to mention at this stage because they could affect judicial procedures."
According to earlier reports, Y1 Entertainment applied for a provisional seizure on the land and buildings of the Itaewon single-family dwelling owned by Hwang Jung-eum, and the Seoul Central District Court accepted it on the 10th. The claimed amount was reported as 282 million won. The house is reported to have been purchased by Hwang Jung-eum in 2020 for about 4.6 billion won.
The controversy spread further after it emerged that Hoonminjeong-eum Entertainment, a one-person agency Hwang Jung-eum had operated for 13 years, was not registered in the popular culture and arts planning business. Y1 Entertainment also stated, "On Nov. 27, 2025, we notified Hwang Jung-eum of termination of the exclusive contract, and that notice was accepted, so the exclusive contract has already ended."
What began as a benevolent toy giveaway was engulfed in criticism, and combined with legal disputes with her former agency, Hwang Jung-eum's new year has been particularly rough.
[Photo] OSEN DB, Hwang Jung-eum SNS
[OSEN]