Han So-hee, Mother's Fraud Allegation: "No Plan to Take on Debt... Daughter Being Exploited"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Isul] Actress Han Sohee (Lee Sohee) has drawn a clear line, stating that she has no plans to take responsibility for her mother's debt related to a fraud allegation involving tens of millions of won.

On the 25th of last month, a complaint was filed at the Seoul Bangbae Police Station alleging that the actress's mother borrowed 85 million won from an acquaintance with a promise to pay high interest but failed to repay it. A YouTuber revealed that the actress in question is Han Sohee and claimed that her real-name bank account was used during the fraud process, leading to Han Sohee also being accused of violating the Electronic Financial Transactions Act.

On the 7th, her agency 9ato Entertainment stated, "We cannot confirm the exact details of Han Sohee's personal affairs," but added, "Han Sohee's mother, Ms. Shin, used a bank account under Han Sohee's name when borrowing money." They continued, "The account was opened arbitrarily by Ms. Shin when Han Sohee was a minor, and it was used to borrow money without Han Sohee's knowledge."

They further stated, "Han Sohee has no plans whatsoever to take responsibility for the related debt," and explained, "This is to fundamentally block a series of acts where her daughter's name is used to borrow money and her daughter's fame as a celebrity is exploited to extort money."

The agency disclosed part of a ruling from the Ulsan District Court dated April 8, 2021, noting that similar incidents had occurred multiple times in the past. At that time, the court ruled that "there is insufficient evidence to recognize Han Sohee as jointly responsible for the debt."

The agency apologized for causing concern due to personal matters, saying, "It is true that the bond between mother and daughter cannot be severed. We sincerely apologize to those who have been unintentionally harmed," and added, "We hope that such incidents will not be repeated through a firm response."

Previously, shortly after rising to stardom with the drama The World of the Married in July 2020, Han Sohee was embroiled in allegations that her mother borrowed money using her name and failed to repay it. At that time, she said, "My parents divorced when I was five years old, and my grandmother raised me. After turning twenty, I learned about my mother's debts and, as a dutiful daughter, repaid them," adding, "It was my fault for thinking repayment was the only solution, which caused more victims."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.