On April 29, Lee Seung-gi publicly apologized for his past comments and for the distress caused by the legal scandal involving his father-in-law, Lee Hong-heon, who has been indicted for stock manipulation related to the renewable energy company Quantapia.
In his statement, Lee Seung-gi expressed regret for making “thoughtless” remarks on the matter and ultimately revealed that he and his wife, actress Lee Da-in, have decided to sever ties with her family. “I deeply apologize to those who were hurt, and I take responsibility for my misjudgment,” he wrote.
However, contrary to what some might expect, the apology didn’t mend his image with the Korean public. Netizens have harshly criticized the actor, pointing out that backlash began as early as his dating phase with Lee Da-in in 2020, due to the well-known fraud history of her family. Despite fans’ opposition, Lee Seung-gi went ahead with their marriage in April 2023, a lavish affair held at the Grand Intercontinental Seoul Parnas.
Now, many believe his move to publicly cut ties is less about moral responsibility and more about damage control. “If this scandal hadn’t exploded, would he have said anything?” questioned one netizen.
While he may have distanced himself from his in-laws, online communities noted that Lee Seung-gi still follows his sister-in-law, Lee Yoo-bi, on social media — raising doubts about the sincerity of his declaration.
Once known as the “Nation’s Son-in-Law” for his clean image and multitalented career spanning nearly two decades, Lee Seung-gi now finds himself struggling. His current concert tour The Dreamer’s Dream is reportedly underperforming, with shows failing to sell out even in small 477-seat venues. His Southeast Asia shows are also facing poor sales, and the U.S. leg of the tour was canceled altogether — allegedly due to low demand.
With fans and critics questioning his every move, Lee Seung-gi’s fall from grace reflects how quickly public sentiment can shift in Korea’s entertainment world.
