Why Korean celebs often become entangled in family financial feuds
The revelation that pro golf legend Pak Se-ri’s father used her foundation’s seal without her permission has shone a spotlight on celebrities and sports stars who suffer due to their families’ financial failures or embezzlement.
This incident has sparked debate over Korea’s lenient legal stance on economic crimes within families.
During a press conference on Tuesday, Pak said, “Resolving one debt issue only leads to another, like a never-ending line of debt problems. I can no longer take responsibility.”
Her father had secretly made and used the seal of her foundation to establish an international golf school.
This is not an isolated case. Numerous celebrities and sports stars have faced similar financial conflicts with their families.
Comedian Park Soo-hong suffered due to alleged embezzlement by his brother and sister-in-law, who managed his finances.
Trot singer Jang Yoon-jung also faced similar issues. Actors like Kim Hye-soo and Han So-hee, too, have dealt with family debt scandals.
Experts point to “image management” as a key factor behind celebrities’ and athletes’ financial victimization by their families.
Given their professions, these individuals strive to avoid scandals but often find it difficult to resolve family conflicts legally, leading to prolonged issues.
Choi Sae-byeol, a sociology professor at 카지노사이트킹 Ewha Womans University, noted, “In a family-oriented society like Korea, resolving family disputes legally is frowned upon. The nature of their jobs, which emphasizes public perception, exacerbates these issues.”
Busy schedules often lead celebrities to entrust their family members with asset and income management, only to discover massive financial discrepancies later.
Lawyer Noh Jong-eon, who represented Park Soo-hong, said, “Many top-tier celebrities are extremely busy, so they often delegate asset management to family members, eventually discovering financial issues and resulting in legal disputes.”