South Korean comedian Lee Jin Ho has admitted to suffering from gambling addiction after reports emerged that he had taken money from a host of celebrities, including BTS’ Jimin.
Lee Jin Ho came clean in a post on his Instagram account after music agency BIGHIT revealed that Jimin had loaned him 100 KRW ($73,600) in 2022, which was never repaid. Jimin had initially shown leniency and asked him to return the money within ten years, but as rumours of other victims spread, the agency decided to go public.
The comedian has faced immediate consequences over the news, with the producers of popular Netflix show “Knowing Bros” stating that he would be dropped from the program, with even his appearances in an upcoming episode edited out.
deeply disappointed to learn about this just a day before the show’s premiere”
The comic also failed to appear at a press conference ahead of the premiere of an upcoming variety show, “Comedy Revenge,” with Netflix stating it was “deeply disappointed to learn about this just a day before the show’s premiere.”
Many of Lee Jin Ho’s other victims could also face legal trouble over the loans. While Jimin had issued the money with a promissory note, many of the other celebrities took no such precautions. Under South Korean law, if no note is issued, then the lender, rather than the borrower, becomes liable for any unpaid gift tax.