Agency Denies Allegations of 250 Million Won Living Expense Support... Park Min-young Says "I'm Fed Up"

Allegations of 250 Million Won Living Expenses Raised
Park Min-young Also Expresses Displeasure Over the Controversy

Actress Park Min-young (38) has been accused of receiving 250 million won in living expenses from her ex-boyfriend, businessman Kang Jong-hyun. In response, Park Min-young's side stated, "Although Park Min-young's account was used, she has never been involved in any illegal activities."

On the 15th, Park Min-young's agency, Hook Entertainment, announced, "Park Min-young was questioned as a witness by the prosecution last year in February regarding Kang Jong-hyun's use of an account under a false name," adding, "Through this, it was clearly established that Park Min-young neither participated in illegal activities nor gained any undue benefits." Earlier that morning, entertainment media Dispatch reported, "Park Min-young received 250 million won transferred to her account while dating Kang." The media released part of the prosecution's indictment related to the case, claiming that Park Min-young received money from Kang under the pretext of living expenses.

Park Min-young also expressed her discomfort through her social networking service (SNS). On the 15th, Park Min-young posted on Instagram, "Sick of it all. But I believe that sincerity always gets through, and now I have a strong heart to protect my Kongal (fan nickname). Don't worry."
[Photo by Park Min-young Instagram]

The agency stated, "The 250 million won mentioned in the article was merely the use of Park Min-young's account by Kang, and it was not used for the actress's living expenses," adding, "Over the past year, Park Min-young has suffered many misunderstandings due to false information." They continued, "Despite this, the actress accepted much criticism and deeply regretted and reflected on her imprudent actions," and added, "We hope that baseless allegations that damage the actress's reputation will not be repeated."

In response to the controversy, Park Min-young also expressed her displeasure on her social networking service (SNS). On the 15th, Park Min-young posted on Instagram, "Sick of it all. But I believe that sincerity always gets through, and now I have a strong heart to protect my Kongal (fan nickname). Don't worry."

Earlier, when dating rumors with Kang surfaced in September 2022, Park Min-young's side confirmed the relationship but stated they had broken up. At the time the controversy arose, Park Min-young's agency emphasized, "She has broken up with the person involved in the dating rumors, and it is absolutely untrue that she received financial support." After various ups and downs, Park Min-young reappeared before the public about 1 year and 2 months later with the tvN drama 'Marry Me Now' following the conclusion of the tvN drama 'Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday' that aired during the time the dating rumors broke out.

Continuous Allegations Despite Clarifications

At the online production presentation for 'Marry Me Now' on the 1st, Park Min-young shared her feelings about Kang's controversy, saying, "It was a year when my body and mental health were very ill." She added, "I also lived with regret. When I had a brainwave test at the psychiatric clinic, the guilt was so intense it showed as a red signal," revealing the severity of her mental health condition. She continued, "Now I have accepted everything. I want to apologize for causing concern," and emphasized, "As an actress, I will show a better side so that no unfortunate incidents arise from other issues again."

Meanwhile, Kang Jong-hyun, who was Park Min-young's ex-boyfriend, was arrested and indicted on charges including embezzling approximately 62.8 billion won from a Bithumb affiliate, and is currently on trial after being recently released on bail.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

Park Min-young's comeback was successful. Before the controversy erupted, the tvN drama 'Marry Me Now' saw its ratings rise from 5.2% for episode 1 to 7.6% for episode 4 aired on the 9th, according to Nielsen Korea, leading to comments like "As expected, Park Min-young." However, just as she was gaining popularity, another controversy related to Kang, Park Min-young's Achilles' heel, surfaced again. Despite Park Min-young's clarifications, suspicions continue to be raised.

Meanwhile, Kang Jong-hyun, Park Min-young's ex-boyfriend, is a figure suspected of being the actual owner of Bithumb and effectively controlling it through affiliated companies Inbiogen and Bucket Studio. From 2020 to September 2022, he is accused of conspiring with his younger brother, CEO Kang Ji-yeon, to embezzle approximately 62.8 billion won from affiliated companies and manipulate stock prices to gain illicit profits. He was on trial while in custody but was released on bail last month.