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BIGHIT MUSIC has publicly acknowledged the financial losses incurred by BTS member Jimin after he lent money to comedian Lee Jin Ho, who is currently facing significant debt due to illegal gambling.
On October 14, Lee Jin Ho disclosed that he has amassed substantial debts and has sought financial help from various individuals, including celebrities. While he claims to be repaying the debt monthly and aims to settle it in full, reports indicate that his total debt could reach hundreds of millions of won. This situation affects not only Jimin but also other figures such as Lee Soo Geun, Young Tak, Ha Sung Woon, and several broadcasting executives and producers.
According to reports, some celebrities who lent money without formal agreements are now at risk of hefty tax liabilities, as these transactions have been classified as “gifts” rather than loans. In light of this, some affected individuals are considering filing fraud charges against Lee Jin Ho and pursuing the seizure of his appearance fees.
TenAsia revealed that in 2022, Lee Jin Ho approached Jimin, requesting an urgent loan of 100 million won (approximately $73,600) for a brief period. Although a promissory note was signed, Lee Jin Ho failed to honor the repayment agreement. Jimin reportedly decided to extend compassion by stating, “Just pay me back within 10 years,” when it became clear that Lee Jin Ho had no intention of repaying the loan promptly.
In their statement, BIGHIT MUSIC confirmed, “As reported, it is indeed true that financial damage has occurred to Jimin. He lent money with a signed promissory note.”
In the wake of these developments, Lee Jin Ho has announced his resignation from the cast of the variety show “Knowing Bros” (“Ask Us Anything”) and did not attend the press conference for Netflix’s “Comedy Revenge” on October 14.
