Lee Jin-Ho Confessed Illigal Online Gambling, "I'll ruin my life with wrong judgment... and pay for it."
Comedian Lee Jin-ho (38) has publicly confessed to engaging in illegal online gambling, shocking the entertainment industry and his fans. On October 14th, Lee posted a lengthy message on his Instagram account, apologizing for his past mistakes and revealing his involvement in illegal gambling activities.
According to Lee's confession, he began gambling on illegal online sites in 2020 and has since accumulated an overwhelming amount of debt. He stated, "I am writing this to confess my shameful past that resulted from my poor judgment".
The revelation has brought to light financial damages suffered by several celebrities who had lent money to Lee, unaware it was for gambling purposes. Notable figures affected include:
BTS member Jimin, who reportedly lent Lee 100 million won (approximately $75,000 USD) in 2022.Comedian Lee Soo-geun and singer Ha Sung-woon, who also lent money to Lee.Lee Jin-ho expressed deep regret for his actions and announced that he will fully cooperate with the police investigation. He stated, "I will diligently participate in the police investigation and face the consequences of my wrongdoings".
This incident has led to immediate repercussions in Lee's professional life. He has been removed from the cast of Netflix's new variety show "Comedy Revenge" and his appearance on JTBC's "Knowing Bros" has been canceled.
The confession has reignited discussions about the prevalence of illegal gambling in the entertainment industry, reminiscent of a major sports gambling scandal that implicated numerous celebrities about a decade ago.
As the investigation unfolds, the full extent of Lee's gambling activities and their impact on his career and personal relationships remains to be seen. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the destructive potential of illegal gambling and its far-reaching consequences.
