Park Min-young and Park Gyu-ri, ankled by ex-boyfriend

Actors Park Min-young and KARA's Park Gyu-ri were questioned as witnesses by the prosecution. It's all related to the ex-boyfriend's alleged coin fraud. Two people who were investigated by the prosecution for the crimes of their ex-lover. Ahead of active entertainment activities, negative issues are causing setbacks.

The Financial Investigation Division 1 of the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office is investigating Mr. A, CEO of Company P, who issued virtual currency (coin) linked to artwork.

Mr. A is suspected of violating the Capital Markets Act and fraud. On the 20th, it was reported that a member of a famous idol group was questioned as a witness regarding the allegations.

The coin in question is a form of investment in pieces of expensive works of art, giving joint ownership. Company P issued the coin and advertised that it could be used for auctions of famous domestic and international art works.

It is known that the idol group member worked as a ‘curator’. As the news spread, Park Gyu-ri was singled out. This is because he worked as a ‘curator’ in the past. The prosecution captured the circumstances that Park Gyu-ri owned and sold the coin.

In relation to this, Park Gyu-ri's side announced, "I, who was A's lover at the time and was the curator of an art gallery, gave a statement as a witness to the investigative agency."

Park Min-young is also a person who was investigated as a reference for her ex-lover's 'coin fraud'. Her ex-lover is Kang Jong-hyun, who is known to be the actual owner of Bithumb. Jong-hyun Kang is accused of manipulating stock prices through his younger brother Ji-yeon Kang, the CEO of Bithumb affiliates Enbiogen and Bucket Studio, from 2020 to September of last year.

Prosecutors believe that Kang Jong-hyun made unfair profits of about 35 billion won by issuing convertible bonds from Bithumb affiliates in 2021 and raising the stock price by spreading favorable information. In addition, there is a charge of causing a loss of 32 billion won through breach of trust by transferring call options at a low price.

On the 13th, the Financial Investigation Division 2 of the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office summoned Park Min-young and asked whether she was involved in the process of obtaining unfair profits. In response, Park Min-young's agency, Hook Entertainment, explained, "Park Min-young faithfully completed the prosecution's summons and investigation as a mere reference on the 13th."

Both Park Gyu-ri and Park Min-young were caught up in their ex-boyfriend's criminal activities. He was also suspected of being involved in unjust enrichment. Active entertainment activities are also difficult. Park Min-young is considering her next work. However, whether or not to appear will be decided based on the results of the investigation. Park Gyu-ri recently resumed Kara activities. This is after a gap of about 8 years. Although various activities were announced, erasing negative issues became a prerequisite.

Reporter Junho Yoon, Ten Asia delo410@tenasia.co.kr