Lee Jin Ho Admits to Scamming to Fund Gambling Addiction

South Korean comedian Lee Jin Ho shocked the K-pop community this week by admitting that he scammed his celebrity friends, including BTS member Jimin, to fuel his gambling addiction. Lee confessed on social media that his illegal online gambling began during the COVID-19 pandemic and spiraled out of control, leading him to borrow substantial amounts of money from trusted friends without repaying them.

Korean Star Lee Jin Ho Admits to Scamming BTS’s Jimin to Fund Gambling Addiction

South Korean comedian and Netflix star Lee Jin Ho has admitted to being the subject of an illegal online gambling investigation and confessed to scamming his celebrity friends to fund his addiction. Lee, known for his work on the popular variety show “Knowing Bros,” disclosed the details in a recent Instagram post to his 133K followers.

Lee revealed that he began gambling in 2020 during the COVID-19 lockdowns after discovering an illegal online gambling site. Over time, his gambling became uncontrollable, and he accrued significant debts he could not repay. To cover his losses, Lee turned to his celebrity friends for loans, including Park Ji Min, better known as Jimin from the global sensation BTS.

Key Points:

1. Lee Jin Ho Scammed BTS’s Jimin: Lee borrowed 100 million KRW (approximately $73,300) from Jimin in 2022, promising repayment. However, the debt was never settled, as confirmed by Big Hit Music, BTS’s management group.
2. Other Victims: Media reports suggest that Lee also borrowed large sums from other South Korean celebrities, including singer Young Tak and comedian Lee Su Geun.
3. Illegal Online Gambling: Lee began gambling on an illegal platform in 2020, a practice that is strictly prohibited in South Korea, and he is now cooperating with police investigations.

In his post, Lee expressed deep regret for betraying the trust of his friends: “The financial loss is painful, but what hurts more is betraying those who lent me money. I’ve been diligently repaying my debts every month and will continue to do so until the day I die.”

Impact on Career and Legal Consequences

The fallout from Lee’s confession has already impacted his career. Netflix announced that they will be editing Lee out of as much of his previously filmed content as possible from the popular show “Knowing Bros,” where Lee has been a regular cast member for the past 100 episodes. Known as “WikiJinho” for his seemingly endless knowledge, Lee’s sudden departure marks a significant change for the variety show, one of Netflix’s most popular series in South Korea.

South Korean law strictly prohibits online gambling, and those who participate face hefty fines and prison sentences. The penalties are even steeper for those operating illegal gambling sites, with offenders facing up to seven years in prison and fines up to 70 million won. Lee now faces the potential for severe legal consequences for his involvement in illegal gambling.

Gambling in South Korea

South Korea has strict gambling regulations, with only Kangwon Land, located 100 miles east of Seoul, being the only casino where South Korean citizens are legally allowed to gamble. All other casinos in the country are strictly reserved for foreign tourists. The government has also recently increased the penalties for illegal gambling operations and participation, as the practice remains a persistent issue.

As Lee awaits the outcome of the police investigation, he has vowed to repay his debts and cooperate fully with authorities. However, the damage to his reputation and career may be difficult to repair, especially as his confession has stunned the K-pop community and beyond.

The confession of Lee Jin Ho has sent shockwaves through the K-pop community and South Korean entertainment industry. By admitting to scamming his celebrity friends, including BTS’s Jimin, to fund his gambling addiction, Lee faces not only legal consequences but also the loss of trust from his fans and colleagues. With the impact already visible in his career, the comedian’s future in the industry remains uncertain as he confronts the consequences of his actions.