Lee Seung-gi ends ties with in-laws due to ‘broken trust’

Lee Seung-gi. Image: Instagram/@leeseunggi.official

Lee Seung-gi declared that he and his wife, actress Lee Da-in, have cut off ties with the latter’s family due to “broken trust,” following their involvement in a stock manipulation scandal.

Seung-gi made the announcement in a statement via Korean media outlet MK Sports on Tuesday, April 29, stating that the “wrongful actions” of Da-in’s father are “devastating” to him.

In 2016, Da-in’s father Lee Hong-heon was accused of his involvement in a case where he allegedly inflated the stock price of a company called Corebeat, which led him to earn “tens of billions of won in illicit gains.” He was sentenced to a four-year sentence in prison sentence in 2018; however, he was cleared on appeal the following year.

Da-in’s mother, Kyeon Mi-ri, was reportedly a major shareholder in Corebeat.

Nine years after the case broke out, Hong-heon was arrested due to his involvement in a similar case, but this time, at a renewable company called Quantapia.

“Although my father-in-law was previously sentenced to a fine in the retrial regarding the ongoing allegations of illegal activities, he has recently been indicted again by investigative authorities for similar unlawful acts,” he began via a Soompi translation.

“As someone who had been waiting for the outcome based on trust within the family, I am devastated and at a loss for words over my father-in-law’s wrongful actions.”

Seung-gi and Da-in’s marriage was met with backlash due to the involvement of the latter’s parents in the stock manipulation case. The actor-singer then called out the false reports made against his in-laws, seemingly standing by his wife’s family at the time.

This led to Seung-gi apologizing for “speaking carelessly” without being mindful of the case involving Hong-heon. “I deeply regret having spoken carelessly last year without thoroughly reviewing the matters related to my father-in-law.”

(From left) Lee Da-in, Lee Seung-gi. Image: Instagram/@byhumanmade

“I firmly believe that any illegal acts must be met with appropriate punishment, and I sincerely apologize to the victims who may have suffered due to my hasty judgment,” he continued. “I am also truly sorry to everyone who trusted and supported me.”

The “My Girlfriend is a Gumiho” star then vowed that he and his wife would “live with a sense of responsibility” after ending their ties with the latter’s family.

“This incident has irreparably damaged the trust within our family, and after much deliberation, my wife and I have decided to sever ties with her family. From now on, I will strive to uphold the right values and live with a sense of responsibility for a healthier society,” he said.

“Once again, I bow my head in apology for causing concern and disappointment over this personal matter,” Seung-gi further added.

Seung-gi and Da-in tied the knot at the Grand Intercontinental Seoul Parnas in the South Korean capital in April 2023.