Actor Hwang Jung-eum’s real estate has reportedly been seized by her ex-husband Lee Young-don’s company. The monthly magazine Woman Sense reported on the 23rd that Keoamcoa, a steel processing and sales company run by Lee Young-don, filed a lawsuit against Hwang Jung-eum on March 27th for the repayment of a loan amounting to 157 million won and additionally requested a seizure of the real estate on April 17th. The court reportedly accepted the request for the seizure on the 30th of the same month.
According to Woman Sense, the seized real estate includes two units of an urban lifestyle housing complex located in Seongnae-dong, Gangdong-gu, Seoul that Hwang Jung-eum purchased for 1.87 billion won in 2013. Apart from Keoamcoa, another individual, identified as A, also filed for a 100 million won seizure on the same property. Once the seizure is decided, Hwang Jung-eum, as the owner, cannot lease or sell the property at her discretion.
Regarding this situation, Hwang Jung-eum’s agency, Y1 Entertainment, has not provided any specific statements. Meanwhile, Hwang Jung-eum was indicted without detention in 2022 on charges of embezzling more than 4.34 billion won from her agency, which included receiving 700 million won as an advance payment to invest in cryptocurrency. It was revealed that 4.2 billion won was invested in coins.
The affected company is a family corporation solely owned by Hwang Jung-eum herself. It is a typical ‘one-person corporation’ often established by celebrities and is reported to have no connection with Y1 Entertainment, the agency she is currently with.
On the 15th, Hwang Jung-eum issued an apology through Y1 Entertainment, stating, “I am sorry for causing concern with such a shameful matter,” and added, “I was advised by someone around 2021 to increase the company funds through coin investments. Although the funds were in the company’s name, I made a poor judgment as it was income generated from my activities.”
She continued, “To rectify the improper transaction relationship with the company, I am currently affiliated with another agency and am thoroughly clearing up the transaction relationship with the company. I have repaid a significant portion of the advance payments by liquidating personal assets, and I am taking steps to settle the remaining unpaid amounts. Once again, I apologize and will take the necessary responsibility.”