The image once hardened is the problem. This is the story of Lee Sang-min, who has received support and love from many people for the story that he has been paying off his debt for years.
Recently, Lee Sang-min reported that he had paid off his debt of 6.98 billion won. The debt was incurred in 2005 when the restaurant business it was operating went bankrupt.
At one time, he made Shakra, S#ARP (shop), and Country Kkokko, and played a role as a big player in the entertainment industry. However, he faced a crisis in his life, including huge debts following a business failure and parting with Lee Hye-young, his then spouse.
In 2012, he appeared on Channel A's 'Shocking' and said, "I ran a total of 7 to 8 companies in the past. When the company went bankrupt, the amount of default was 5.7 billion won. After the bankruptcy, debtors came to find me and screamed. "Fortunately, We are paying all the taxes owed on copyright fees,” he explained.
The following year, on tvN's 'Field Talk Show Taxi', "Exactly, when the last bankruptcy occurred, the debt was 5.7 billion won. The actual debt did not reach 5.7 billion won, but there was a lot of debt due to executives' personal transactions. I was forgiven through it,” he said. “Currently, there is not much left in the debt.
However, the public was puzzled by the character of the debtor. It is because of the suspicion that his explanation that he has been paying off his debt for several years is that he is cosplaying as a debtor.
Lee Sang-min, conscious of the controversy, came up with an explanation. Lee Sang-min recently reported on a YouTube channel, “Some creditors demanded a larger amount than the original repayment due to interest and mental damage compensation, and long-lasting debt.”
"The debt, which was 6.98 billion won in 2013, was reduced to 900 million won last year. However, the creditor asked for 2.4 billion won and had a long adjustment period, and as a result, we agreed to 1.7 billion won last year," he said. "We will reduce the 'debtor concept' in the future. "he said.
It's only been about a year since I came up with an explanation. He gave the news that the debt had been settled. In fact, on 'My Little Old Boy', which aired on the 2nd, Lee Sang-min said, "I'm moving next week" and announced that he had a new home.
Lee Sang-min, who has met viewers with his salty life and doing his best to save money. He received a lot of love for that character. Following the settlement of debt, the image of the past has now been put down. But at the same time, it is a challenge. 'Debt problem' is a material he has used a lot in broadcasting. When a broadcaster loses his subject matter, he loses his character. What kind of character will Lee Sang-min be loved by the public after putting down the unprecedented debtor character? Still can't see the picture. I put down my debt, but I have homework.
Reporter Yoon Jun-ho, Ten Asia delo410@tenasia.co.kr