S.E.S Member Shoo Opens Up About Gambling Scandal and Personal Struggles

Shoo, a member of the iconic K-pop group S.E.S, has addressed various controversies including gambling and her activities as a BJ (Broadcast Jockey). Her husband, Im Hyo-sung, revealed that he helped pay off her debts.

On the 8th, Shoo uploaded a video titled 'The Controversial Incident... I'm Telling Everything Today (First Reveal)' on her YouTube channel 'Human That's Shoo'.

Shoo and Im Hyo-sung visited a restaurant to meet with the production team. Shoo confessed, "I never had the chance to speak out, so I just ran away." She began to clarify the controversies surrounding her BJ activities, gambling involvement, and violation of Macau's foreign exchange laws.

Shoo explained, "I was in a situation where I needed money, and then I got an offer to be a BJ. It became an issue because of exposure. I didn't expect it to turn out that way. My channel was meant to talk about things I couldn't with my fans, but I chose the wrong outfit for the first broadcast." She wore a knit with a cut-out design at the chest. "I agonized over what to wear for the first broadcast. Cut-outs were trending then, but under those lights and cameras, it looked wrong. I regretted it immensely," she explained.

She added, "I wasn't doing it for virtual gifts or anything. That wasn't the kind of broadcast I wanted. My fans know that. We laughed a lot while communicating." She continued, "I received an advance payment, and I had things to resolve with that money. There are always downsides to advances, but I had no choice. I thought I could put out the immediate fire and make my broadcast better."

Shoo also confessed about the gambling controversy. "I went to Las Vegas for an event and met someone there. She spoke English well, was pretty, and spoke Korean fluently. She often invited me to eat or do things together. I liked her, so I went along. Then she asked if I wanted to go somewhere fun and asked for my ID. I didn't know much about socializing, so I gave it to her. She said, 'Let's hang out here,' and it was a card-playing place."

Im Hyo-sung, who was listening, briefly left the room. When he returned, he urged Shoo to be completely honest, to which she replied, "I am being honest."

Shoo recalled, "I saw people lending money over the phone. I naively envied that. She always brought money when she called someone. I didn't know they were all in cahoots. They were a crew with loan sharks and people lending money at the casino." She continued, "I bet small amounts, but she bet huge sums, thousands at a time. The stakes grew as I kept winning. It was hell, but I found it funny that I had hope there. I didn't think about what I lost, only that I could win. The prosecutor said I was completely set up, but because I was so well-known, they had to charge me with violating the Foreign Exchange Management Act."

Shoo said, "I once went to Hong Kong, not knowing it was like Las Vegas. I was charged under the Foreign Exchange Management Act because I exchanged Hong Kong dollars from my account." Im Hyo-sung explained, "You must report any transfers." Shoo admitted, "I didn't know. I was just exchanging my money. It was a violation of the Foreign Exchange Management Act. In the end, it looked like gambling. I realized how ignorant I was about the world and how gambling ruined me."

Regarding her role as a gambling addiction prevention ambassador, she said, "I went to the gambling association myself and offered to be an ambassador. It's embarrassing, but knowing the backstory, I think I can warn others."

Shoo confessed, "I've never properly talked about this with Hyo-sung." Im Hyo-sung recalled, "We had some trouble before, so we were living apart. Then I got a call from her saying she had debts. I was incapable at the time, having retired from sports suddenly and struggling financially."

During their separation, Im Hyo-sung received a call from Shoo about her 250 million won debt. "I said I'd think about it for a day, and the next day, I gave her 280 million won from borrowed and saved money. When she came home, she was already changed. She didn't come home for a day or two," he shared.

Im Hyo-sung revealed, "There was a time when my wife tried to take her own life. I carried her to the hospital after she collapsed from taking pills." He added, "We were using separate rooms, and I spent nights worrying outside her door."

Shoo, in tears, said, "Our kids shouldn't hear this." She continued, "I ruined everything. I'm so sorry to the kids. Thanks to my husband, I've learned a lot. Now, I want to live diligently."

From August 2016 to May 2018, Shoo was charged with habitual gambling overseas, including in Macau, amounting to billions of won. In February 2019, she was sentenced to six months in prison, suspended for two years, and 80 hours of community service.

Kim Ji-won, TenAsia Reporter bella@tenasia.co.kr