Although many netizens both in Korea and overseas congratulated the new celebrity couple, actress Han Ji Min and singer Choi Jung Hoon of the band Jannabi, after the two sides confirmed their dating rumors on August 8 KST, some fans of Han Ji Min expressed concern and disapproval over Choi Jung Hoon's former family scandal.
Previously in 2019, it was revealed that Choi Jung Hoon's father, 'A', had been arrested on charges of fraud. 'A', the president of a construction developer, was overwhelmed with lack of funding for an apartment complex construction project in Yongin-si, Gyeonggi province. Convincing an investment company, 'C', that it would be given property and business rights upon the completion of the complex, 'A' and his company director 'B' scammed company 'C' out of 900 million KRW (~ $654,000 USD) between September through December of 2017.
'A' was eventually indicted, found guilty, and sentenced to 3 years in prison for fraud, while director 'B' was sentenced to probation. The prosecution found that 'A's company did not possess the capabilities to offer any property or business rights to investors.
Furthermore, when news of 'A' fraud case first gained attention in 2019, it was also revealed that Choi Jung Hoon's name had been listed as a shareholder of 'A's company.
At the time, Choi Jung Hoon denied any involvement in his father's business and emphasized that he had only allowed his father to "borrow his name", as well as that all of his rights as a shareholder had been forfeited. However, Choi Jung Hoon continued to receive criticism when he went on to perform Jannabi's song "Hong Kong", a song Choi Jung Hoon wrote to his father, at various music festivals after 2019.
Now, as the fraud case of Choi Jung Hoon's father gains attention once again, some of Han Ji Min's fans are concerned that her relationship with the "son of a scammer" may tarnish her clean image.
Some commented,
"This is the first time I'm hearing about this scandal. How the heck did this guy even get an MC position on a music talk show?"
"He really loves his father so much that he had to perform a song dedicated to a major scammer at a rock festival."
"If he was listed as a shareholder of the company, how is he not involved in the scandal..??"
"Han Ji Min is about to become another Lee Seung Gi."
"Why Ji Min unnie... TT"
"He wasn't as famous in 2019 so people just forgot about it but now it's coming back into light."
"He performed that song at festivals?? Isn't he ashamed of his father??"
"Getting involved with a family of scammers definitely isn't good for Han Ji Min's image."
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