Seo Hyun-jin Moves Into Own Home After Jeonse Scam, Cheongdam Penthouse Up for Auction
On June 3, MoneyToday reported that actress Seo Hyun-jin has recently moved into her own apartment in Oksudong, Seoul, marking a significant life change after suffering financial damage from a jeonse (Korean lease) scam.
According to the outlet, Seo Hyun-jin had purchased the 84.96㎡ apartment in September 2018 for ₩1.5 billion KRW (approx. USD 1.1 million) entirely in cash, under her own name, with the ownership transfer completed in May 2019. She had been leasing out the unit until recently but moved in herself in September 2024 after encountering problems recovering her deposit from a previous residence.
From April 2020 to September 2024, Seo Hyun-jin resided in a high-end penthouse in Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam, on a jeonse lease. Initially signing a contract with a ₩2.5 billion KRW (approx. USD 1.8 million) deposit, she renewed it in 2022 with a slightly increased deposit of ₩2.625 billion KRW (approx. USD 1.9 million). However, upon the lease’s expiration in April 2024, the landlord failed to return her deposit.
In response, Seo Hyun-jin registered her leaseholder rights on September 12, 2024, and vacated the penthouse. In April 2025, the Seoul Central District Court officially launched the auction process, which is now underway. However, prospects of recovering the full amount remain bleak.
Although the unit was initially appraised at ₩2.873 billion KRW, the property failed to sell in the first auction, leading to a decreased minimum bid of ₩2.2989 billion KRW. Experts warn that due to the sluggish real estate market and the property being labeled a “kkangtong house” — a term referring to assets worth less than the sum of loans and deposits — Seo Hyun-jin may face a substantial financial loss.
Her agency, Management SOOP, commented briefly, “As this concerns the actress’s private life, we cannot confirm specific details.”
Despite the personal turmoil, Seo Hyun-jin is staying active in her professional life. She is set to return to the small screen in JTBC’s upcoming Friday drama Love Me, a Korean remake of the Swedish series created by Josephine Bornebusch. The show portrays a family of flawed but endearing individuals as they navigate romance, grief, and personal growth.
