Jimin's agency confirms financial loss of 100 million won
 

Comedian Lee Jin-ho, 38, admitted to illegal online gambling Monday, revealing in a social media post that he began gambling on an illegal site in 2020.

"I will fully cooperate with the police investigation and accept the consequences of my actions," he said.

According to entertainment industry sources, several celebrities were financially impacted by Lee’s actions.

"It was the harsh advice from those close to me and the fear of losing the work I love that finally made me stop gambling. However, by then, I had already received financial help from many people," he said. "I am steadily repaying the debt each month and intend to fully pay it off on my own, even if it takes the rest of my life."

It was confirmed that Lee also borrowed 1oo million won ($74,000) from BTS member Jimin, which he has yet to repay.

An official from Jimin's agency, BigHit Music, said, "It is true that Jimin incurred financial damage, and the loan was given with a signed loan agreement."

Lee, a regular on JTBC’s popular variety show, "Knowing Bros," shared that he lived in constant fear of the truth coming to light.

"Every day felt like I was being punished, wondering when this would become public. I thought about confessing everything and facing the consequences to relieve the anxiety, but I hesitated because I needed to continue working to pay off my debts," he said.

He also issued a public apology, saying, "I deeply apologize to everyone who was disappointed by my actions and my attempts to hide them."

Lee, who admitted to illegal online gambling, did not attend the press conference for the Netflix variety show "Comedy Revenge," held earlier that day. Although he completed filming for the show, his recent confession may lead to parts of his appearance being edited out.

His agency, SM C&C, is in the process of reviewing and finalizing their stance regarding Lee's future activities.

Source : https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2024/10/251_384185.html

Comprehension

When did comedian Lee Jin-ho begin his illegal online gambling?
How does Lee Jin-ho plan to deal with the consequences of his actions?
What motivated Lee to stop gambling?
How much money did Lee Jin-ho borrow from BTS member Jimin?
What has Jimin's agency, BigHit Music, said about the loan?
Why did Lee hesitate to confess his illegal gambling earlier?
How has Lee Jin-ho publicly responded to his illegal gambling activities?
What might happen to Lee Jin-ho's appearance in the Netflix variety show Comedy Revenge?

Discussion

How might illegal gambling impact the reputation and career of a celebrity like Lee Jin-ho?
How would you feel if your favorite celebrity was involved in something illegal?
How can someone recover from a gambling addiction, and what resources are available to help them? Do you think it’s important to get help if someone is struggling with an addiction?
What lessons can be learned from Lee’s decision to hide his actions instead of confronting them earlier?
Have you ever seen someone hide a problem that made things worse?
How does the public disclosure of Lee’s illegal gambling affect trust between fans and celebrities? Would you lose trust in a celebrity if they were caught doing something wrong?
What do you think could be done to stop illegal activities like online gambling?

Vocabulary

Illegal – Not allowed by law.
Gambling – The practice of risking money or other stakes on an event with an uncertain outcome, often involving games of chance.
Confession – A formal admission of wrongdoing or guilt.
Repay – To pay back money that is owed.
Incurring – To become subject to something, especially as a result of one’s actions.
Debt – Money owed or due to someone.
Apology – A regretful acknowledgment of an offense or failure.
Punished – Suffering consequences as a result of wrongdoing.