Comedian Lee Jin Ho is facing legal charges for his involvement in illegal gambling establishments, according to a report by K-media outlet TenAsia on April 17. This case, which has been under investigation since the fourth quarter of last year, saw Lee Jin Ho admit to his actions. He is also accused of defrauding high-profile figures in the entertainment industry, including BTS member Jimin. It was revealed that Lee Jin Ho borrowed 100 million KRW (approximately 70,622 USD) from Jimin, a claim confirmed by the artist’s label, BIGHIT MUSIC.
Lee Jin Ho, who gained popularity from his appearances on the variety show Knowing Bros, acknowledged his gambling addiction during police questioning last year. Recently, the Seoul Gangnam Police forwarded his case to prosecutors, focusing on the illegal gambling charges, while the fraud accusations were not pursued due to a lack of victim testimonies. Authorities are still investigating the gambling operation Lee Jin Ho was allegedly involved in.
Reports suggest that Lee Jin Ho conducted these illegal activities with several accomplices, all of whom are facing similar charges. To sustain his gambling business, Lee Jin Ho reportedly borrowed over 2 billion KRW (around 1.41 million USD) from individuals within the entertainment industry, including broadcasting personnel and fellow artists. This sum includes the 100 million KRW loan from Jimin in 2022, as well as an additional 1.3 billion KRW (about 918,377 USD) from a loan company.
In response to the situation, BIGHIT MUSIC confirmed that Jimin had suffered financial loss and that he had only signed a promissory note to lend money to Lee Jin Ho. After his formal investigation, Lee Jin Ho admitted to the majority of the charges, including those related to gambling and borrowing funds. He publicly apologized for his actions on social media, expressing regret and pledging to repay his debts.
Although the legal proceedings may eventually conclude, it is unlikely that Lee Jin Ho’s career in entertainment will recover. He has already been removed from all his ongoing shows and has been on hiatus since the controversy erupted.
