Comedian Hong Rok-ki has not been able to pay wages to his employees for two years. Although he cited financial difficulties as the reason, his wife, Kim A-rin, appears to be leading a luxurious hobby.
According to the wedding industry and entertainment industry on the 10th, two current and former employees of Now Hall, a wedding consulting company headed by Hong Rok-ki, reported to the Ministry of Employment and Labor on the 8th that they had not been paid wages.
Now Hall is a company that helps brides prepare for their wedding, including reserving dresses and makeup. In 2011, Rokki Hong co-founded the company with another businessman under the name Nowwed, and changed the business name to Nowhole in 2020.
Mr. A, who worked as a wedding planner here, told Yonhap News, "I have worked without receiving any money for about a year since March 2021," adding, "The unpaid wages are about 1.6 million won, and about 20 other employees also received between 3 million and 3 million won each." “I understand that wages have been delayed by about 5 million won,” he said.
Yonhap News reported that Hong Rok-gi acknowledged the fact that the employee's wages had not been paid, and said, "The company's situation has worsened due to COVID-19," and "We will not forget our gratitude to those who have been with us and will take responsibility in any way possible."
On the 10th, the agency, Saesang Entertainment, said, “It is true that Hong Rok-ki failed to pay wages to his employees properly,” and added, “We have experienced management difficulties due to COVID-19. We have been going through corporate rehabilitation procedures since January of last year.”
There are many self-employed people who have experienced difficulties due to COVID-19. In particular, the wedding industry has been hit hard, so it is understandable that it is struggling with management difficulties.
However, the problem is that Hong Rok-gi, who was complaining of financial difficulties, has been living a luxurious life. Even though the employees did not receive wages for a long time, Hong Rok-ki's family enjoyed traveling and golfing.
In particular, model Kim Arin, Hong Rok-ki's wife, has consistently shared her private life through social media. Last month, he also revealed a video of him going round with his acquaintances. The place where Kim A-rin enjoyed golf was The Players Golf Club. Green fee for 18 holes on weekdays is 200,000 won, caddy fee is separate.
Last November, I enjoyed a round at Wellington CC, known as a prestigious golf course. This golf course is available for reservations only to members and is famous for its luxurious interior. Arin Kim played a round with a professional golfer here. In addition, in the same month alone, he was seen playing golf at least twice at other golf courses.
Aside from rounds, Kim A-rin enjoyed shopping and birthday parties with her friends, and she often went on trips with her husband, Hong Rok-gi. He also posted videos of himself leisurely exercising at the gym or boxing.
About 20 employees of Hong Rok Gi's company who have not received their wages for over a year, and Hong Rok Gi's wife, Kim A-rin, who enjoys luxurious hobbies. It's ironic somewhere.
It may be true that many wedding reservations have been canceled due to COVID-19, but it is questionable whether they are truly suffering from financial difficulties. Moreover, Hong Rok-ki and his wife were actively engaged in broadcasting, and Kim A-rin was accumulating wealth through the SNS tool business.
Only Hong Rok-ri knows whether he did not pay wages to his employees even though he had enough funds to pay them, or whether he was truly in financial difficulty. If the former applies, a sincere apology to the employees is required even now.
Ryu Ye-ji, Ten Asia Reporter ryuperstar@tenasia.co.kr