Actress Hwang Jung-eum Breaks Silence After 3-Month Hiatus Amid Embezzlement Scandal

Actress Hwang Jung-eum has resurfaced after a three-month hiatus.

On the 12th, Hwang Jung-eum took to her Instagram story to share a photo with the caption, "Free toy giveaway."

The photo reveals a yard, presumably at Hwang's home, filled with various toys. She invited people to take the toys, noting that her child had used them gently. Some furniture was also visible, sparking curiosity.

Previously, Hwang had briefly returned to social media in November last year, six months after the passing of the late Lee Soon-jae, while she was in self-reflection due to embezzlement allegations.

Hwang faced accusations in May last year for embezzling company funds. In early 2022, her wholly-owned company took out a loan, and she allegedly used 700 million KRW from it for cryptocurrency investments. By December of that year, she was charged without detention for embezzling 4.34 billion KRW.

Hwang has since repaid the full amount she used as advances by liquidating her personal assets, completing the repayment in two installments on May 30 and June 5 last year. Acknowledging her embezzlement charges, she is currently in a period of self-reflection.

Reporter: Da-yeon Jeong, TenAsia light@tenasia.co.kr