Actor Hwang Jung-eum (41) has apologized for embezzling 4.3 billion won from her family-owned company and investing a significant amount of it in cryptocurrency.
In a statement distributed through her new agency, Y-One Entertainment, on the 15th, Hwang expressed, “First of all, I am deeply sorry for causing concern to many people with this shameful act.”
She explained, “This entertainment planning company is a company in which I own 100% of the shares, and no other entertainers besides myself have been affiliated with it. All profits come from my activities.”
She further stated, “While having the intention to grow the company, around 2021, I was advised by people around me to raise company funds through coin investments. I ended up diving into coin investments without much knowledge.”
She added, “Although it was company funds, it seems that I made an immature judgment because the profits were earned through my activities.”
She continued, “Although I suffered losses from the coin investments, I am relieved that I hold 100% of the company’s shares, have secured collateral, and have no other creditors besides banks, so there was no harm done to third parties.”
Additionally, Hwang emphasized, “In order to correct the improper trading relationship with the company, I am currently under a new agency, cleaning up the trading relationship with the previous company.”
She also explained, “I have repaid a significant portion of the funds that were withdrawn from the company in the form of advances from personal assets, and I am in the process of settling some outstanding debts.”