BTS’s Jimin and Other Stars Entangled in a Celebrity Gambling Scandal as 2.3 Billion KRW Loan Revealed
On April 17, the Seoul Gangnam Police Station announced, “On April 15, comedian Lee Jin-ho was referred to the prosecution on gambling charges.” The investigation began following a public complaint submitted through the Korean National Petition System, alleging gambling and fraud.
In a past statement on his personal social media account, Lee confessed, “In 2020, I happened to access an illegal online gambling site and started playing. Eventually, I ended up with debt I couldn’t handle.”
To cover his gambling losses, Lee reportedly borrowed approximately 2.3 billion KRW (around 1.7 million USD) from fellow celebrities and loan agencies. Among those he allegedly borrowed from were BTS member Jimin, comedian Lee Soo-geun, and singer Ha Sung-woon.
In addition to gambling charges, Lee was also investigated for fraud related to unpaid loans. However, the fraud allegations were not pursued further, as there were no formal complaints from victims.
Lee Jin-ho debuted in 2005 through SBS’s People Looking for a Laugh and rose to popularity with his character “Woong’s Father.” He later appeared regularly on tvN’s Comedy Big League. Amid growing controversy, he has stepped down from all current programs, including JTBC’s variety show Knowing Bros.
