After being subjected to a three-hour police interrogation about illicit online gambling and possible fraud, comedian Lee Jin Ho was recently at the focus of controversy. As authorities looked into the comedian’s gambling activities, which allegedly started in 2020, he was questioned on October 22 at Seoul’s Gangnam Police Station.
After being questioned, Lee Jin Ho acknowledged that he had completely cooperated with the investigation. In a brief statement to the media, he added, “I cooperated fully with the investigation. If I need to return for further questioning in the future, I will cooperate again sincerely. I apologize once again for causing trouble.” He bowed his head in shame post the scandal and controversy.
This questioning follows Lee Jin Ho’s public admission earlier this month that he had engaged in unlawful gambling and disclosed that his addiction had caused him to accrue large debt. Presumably oblivious to the severity of his gambling habit, the comedian reportedly sought assistance from a number of contacts, including a number of well-known celebrities who gave him loans.
Famous people who had lent money to Lee Jin Ho included comedian Lee Soo Geun, musician Young Tak, former HOTSHOT member Ha Sung Woon, and BTS’ Jimin. According to reports, Jimin alone lent him 100 million KRW, making the entire debt estimated at 2.30 billion KRW (about 1.67 million USD).
Charges of fraud may result from the authorities’ ongoing investigation into whether Lee Jin Ho misled his acquaintances about the intended use of the borrowed money. Lee Jin Ho refused to respond when reporters asked if he had acknowledged using the loaned funds for gaming, leaving open concerns about the financial toll on his lenders.
Lee Jin Ho has had professional setbacks as a result of the controversy, including losing his job as Hwaseong City’s ambassador and resigning from his position on JTBC’s well-liked variety show Knowing Bros. The comedian’s future is still unclear as the investigation progresses, and many people are keeping a close eye on him to see whether he faces any additional accusations.
