Han So-hee's Mother Arrested for Operating Illegal Gambling Dens

Actress Han So-hee's mother has been arrested on charges of operating illegal gambling dens.

According to a report by a media outlet on the 2nd, Han So-hee's mother, identified as Ms. Shin in her 50s, was arrested on charges of running illegal gambling establishments.

The report states that Ms. Shin had been operating 12 gaming parlors in Ulsan, Wonju, and other locations since 2021, using proxy business operators.

Prosecutors revealed that patrons of these gaming parlors accessed a gambling website managed by Ms. Shin to recharge game money and engage in games like baccarat.

Ms. Shin has a prior record of being fined for similar charges and has been sued multiple times for fraud and other allegations. Notably, in 2020, online claims surfaced accusing Han So-hee's mother of absconding with money from a private savings club, sparking a 'debt scandal.'

In response, Han So-hee issued a statement at the time, explaining, "My parents divorced when I was about five years old, and my grandmother raised me." She added, "I moved to Ulsan to live with my mother when I entered high school, but continued to live with my grandmother and moved to Seoul after graduation to pursue my career."

She further clarified, "I was not in frequent contact with my mother, and only learned about her debts after I turned 20. As a filial duty, I repaid her debts to the best of my ability before my debut."

However, when similar incidents occurred in 2022, Han So-hee's agency, 9ato Entertainment, stated, "Her mother used a bank account under Han So-hee's name to borrow money. She opened the account without Han So-hee's knowledge when she was a minor and used it to borrow money." The agency emphasized that Han So-hee has no plans to take responsibility for the related debts.

Ryu Ye-ji, TenAsia Reporter, ryuperstar@tenasia.co.kr