Lee Jin-ho, who said his mother was cured of cancer, borrows money from Lee Soo-geun saying "My mother is sick"

In a Past Broadcast, Mother Shares Story of Battling Cancer

Comedian Lee Jin-ho is facing growing controversy after it was revealed that he used the excuse of having an "ill mother" while borrowing money for illegal online gambling. Amid this, past remarks he made about his mother's chronic illness during a broadcast have also drawn belated attention.

On the 15th, the entertainment-related YouTube channel 'Entertainment President' claimed that Lee Jin-ho mentioned "my mother is sick" when borrowing money from fellow entertainers. The person who actively helped him after hearing his story was fellow comedian Lee Soo-geun.

Entertainment President stated, "(Lee Soo-geun) has a wife who has been battling illness for a long time, so when someone around him says their mother is sick, he actively helps," adding, "Lee Soo-geun felt more sympathy for Lee Jin-ho’s situation than anyone else and had no idea he was gambling."

In April, Lee Jin-ho revealed his mother's battle with illness during his appearance on Channel A's "Close Friends Tokumentary: Table for Four." [Image source=Channel A broadcast capture]

They continued, "(Lee Soo-geun) lent about 50 million won under the pretext of hospital bills for Lee Jin-ho’s mother," and "It was later confirmed that Lee Jin-ho repaid the money."

Among netizens who saw the video, Lee Jin-ho’s past statements on a broadcast also gained late attention. It was from the April episode of Channel A’s 'Close Friend Documentary: Table for Four,' in which Lee Jin-ho appeared.

At the time, Lee Jin-ho said, "For a while, I didn’t find working enjoyable. The reason I was struggling then was because my mother was in the final stage of colon cancer," tearing up. He added, "Eventually, her colon ruptured, and she was rushed to the emergency room, fighting for her life while undergoing surgery," and "She had chemotherapy but relapsed and had to undergo a second surgery. Now her health has returned, and after five years, she is almost fully recovered."

Netizens criticized, saying, "Using the name of an ill mother to raise gambling funds is too much," "Did he deceive acquaintances with this kind of story?" and "Those who lent him money must feel deeply betrayed."

Meanwhile, on the 14th, Lee Jin-ho confessed on his Instagram, "In 2020, by chance, I started playing games on an illegal online gambling site." He stated that he has since quit gambling and is repaying the money borrowed from acquaintances, adding, "I am cooperating sincerely with the police investigation and will pay the price for my wrongdoing."